South Africa currently faces many environmental issues, including global warming, air pollution, biodiversity loss, deforestation, desertification and waste. These environmental issues represent a threat to people’s health and livelihoods.

Soil erosion, pollution and drought impede South African farmers’ ability to make a living and also food security. Global warming increases the spread of disease, as well as heat-related illnesses. A 2021 study found that global warming is probably causing over five million excess deaths each year.

South Africa’s environmental issues are not mutually exclusive – they are mostly connected. For example, deforestation is an environmental issue in its own right, but it also contributes to soil erosion and global warming, while also destroying protection against air pollution. The linked nature of the problems means we should look for shared causes and solutions rather than treating them in isolation. Fossil fuel use is the main cause of global warming, but it also causes air pollution and water pollution. A shift to cleaner energy sources could solve many problems at once.