AFRICA: The impacts of climate change, migration and urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa have led to predictable patterns according to a meta-analysis on environmental migration carried out by Roman Hoffman, Post Doctoral Researcher, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. The reasons behind migration and the relationship between these decisions and climatic conditions depend on the economic and sociopolitical conditions in the respective regions of origin. Contrary to what European studies reveal about migrants, migration into Europe and the United States are primarily on an internal level and rarely over long distances. In Sub-Saharan Africa, analyses have shown that changing climatic conditions and ecological hazards are the major drivers of migration, which is usually towards urban centers.
CLIMATE CHANGE: The humpback whales are gradually adapting to warmer waters, however, the question remains: how much can they bear? The 10,000 years annual routine of whales coming and going in season is threatened by warmer oceans. The beginning of November marks the end of the whale season in the Southern Hemisphere which would see them swim further south to feed around the Antarctica. Research has shown that the decline in krill stocks, (the primary food source for whales) and a changing climate will threaten the existence and biological rhythm of whales.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES: Global development goals hinge on sustainable cities. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted cities regardless of their developmental level. According to the United Nations Habitat, 95% of total cases were recorded in urban centers, while more than 1 billion people living in urban slums and informal settlements have a heightened risk of infection due to lack of safe drinking water and health services. More so, poorer and vulnerable cities have also suffered disproportionately from the pandemic. As the United Nations celebrated the World Cities Day on 31 October, the 2020 theme heralded was valuing our communities and cities. Cities are therefore at the core of global sustainability crises.
XENOPHOBIA: South-Africa has been known for xenophobic attacks against migrants. Harassment and discrimination have been directed towards foreigners by those with anti-migrant sentiments. The launching of the National Action Plan in March 2019 by the government was to combat racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance as witnessed in the past decade alone. However, lack of quality data would sabotage government efforts in changing people’s attitudes towards foreigners. Also, statistics have shown that these sentiments against migrants were driven primarily by information, and attitudinal change can only occur with the right information from the media.