The Orange River

The Orange River is South Africa’s main river. It travels from east to west, eventually emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. River basins cover 77% of South Africa’s land area. It is also Africa’s only river with winter freezes in its upper levels. Although the river flows through Lesotho, Botswana, and Namibia, South Africa accounts for the majority of its water demand. Furthermore, the increased use of irrigation land in countries such as Namibia has had a negative impact on the river because it has greatly reduced the amount of water in the river, stressing its flow. The major climatic change that is expected to occur in South Africa is the drying of the climate due to the atmospheric rise in temperature. The water resources of Orange-Senqu will be under pressure hence impacting the current hydroelectric capacity of the river. The capacity of the river will subsequently affect a number of power dams in South Africa. The paper seeks to provide an in-depth discussion on the effects of the climate change on the Orange River Basin in South Africa. It also discusses measures put in place to address the issue of climate change as well as how the community living within the water is affected.

Impact of the Climate Change

Climate change particularly has a significant impact on freshwater resources, which affects sustainable development. The effects are further manifested in humans when it endangers economic development, poverty reduction strategies, as well as child mortality programs. Climate change also endangers food production and availability, health of people, and ecosystems. The sensitivity and vulnerability of water resources to climate change have made the global climate a major threat to resources such as the Orange River Basin of South Africa. Global climate change has serious implications for water resources and regional development. One of the medium-term effects of climate change is the reduction of water availability in the arid and semi-arid regions (Rutashobya 24). Climate change leads to an intensification of the global hydrological cycle, which could have significant impacts on regional water resources. The climate in the River Orange Basin is affected by several aspects of the hydrologic cycle which include temperature, precipitation, evaporation, and evapotranspiration. When there is a reduction in the volume of water, the distribution is altered hence affecting both ground and surface water supply used for domestic and industrial purposes, irrigation, and hydropower generation. It also affects navigation, in stream ecosystems, and water-based recreations (Bennie n.p).

Impact on Flood

Although the Orange River Basin is already experiencing water stress especially from land use in Namibia, it is expected that with climate change the stress will be exacerbated due to population growth and economic change, particularly urbanization. Climate change is also expected to affect future rainfall by significantly increasing the amount of rainfall, which in turn will pose flood risks in South Africa. Floods will have an adverse effect on the society, physical infrastructure, and water quality (Bennie n.p). Notably, people living near Orange River Basin will be the most affected with the floods, which are projected to increase by 2080. Global warming is a direct result of greenhouse gas emissions. It has considerably contributed to climate change that has since affected Africa the most because of the region’s vulnerability to climate variability and change (Rutashobya 24). One of the reasons why the region is at risk is because of its financial, institutional, and technological capacity as well as access to the knowledge required to address climate change issues. The impacts of climate change on the Orange River Basin will range from drought and flood to decrease in river basin runoff and water availability.

Reduction of the water level

Change in climate will lead to an increase in drought, flood, and windstorm. A decrease in water availability in the river and the strained inlets could lead to other parts of the region that depend on water from the Orange River Basin to experience drought due to decreased moistures. An increase in rainfall that is projected to increase due to climate change will affect people who stay live near the river basin, especially those who depend on agriculture. Floods will affect agricultural land by diminishing the quality of the soil that sustains agricultural products (Bennie, n.p). Similarly, physical infrastructures are at risk of being destroyed by floods. When the availability of freshwater is reduced, food security and human health are threatened.

Alteration of the Rainfall Pattern

The other effect of climate change is the alteration in rainfall and the increased use of land, which leads to increased deforestation, decreased forest quality, and degradation of woodlands in the region. The situation is worsened with desertification as a direct impact of decreased rainfall and increased land use. The change in rainfall also causes river basin water to decrease affecting the availability of water for agriculture and hydropower generation. The river sensitivity to climate variations could lead to increased cross-boundary tension, which will result in more conflicts among people using the Orange River Basin water (Bennie n.p). Climate change affects both water demand and supply. Water supply in the river is normally through precipitation, evaporation, and hydrology. The changes in climate affect supplies of water are causing the occurrence of extreme weather events such as floods, drought, and storms. Weather events impact on primary production, public health, poverty, and ecological systems.

Impact on the Ground Water

Specific climatic changes have varied effects on water resources. For instance, the rise in sea level leads to movement of salt-front estuaries, which affect freshwater abstraction points hence reducing ground water abstraction. Similarly, changes in seasonal precipitation due to global warming affect river runoff and groundwater, which impacts on water quality as well as decreasing yields of reservoir systems. The variability of precipitation also changes due to change in climate. The result is changed in water stress between events of rainfall, which increases the demand for storage of water supply systems (Bennie n.p). Climate change also affects the spatial patterns of temperature and precipitation leading to a shift in basin hydrology hence affecting the supply of water. Therefore, with all the impacts of climatic change affecting the Orange River Basin and subsequently impacting on the lives of people of South Africa and the neighboring countries, mitigating the adverse effects will require intense climatic measures that will ensure the risk is reduced if not eliminated.

The effects of the Climate Change on the People living within the Orange River Basin

Impact on Hydro-Electric Power

The changing in climate would have an adverse effect on the society living within the Orange-Senqu River basin. It is important to note that a drastic climate change, such as the rise in temperature leading to evaporation, would lower the water level of the discussed river. Consequent to this, the Orange would not be in a position to produce adequate water that is invariably used by the community. Notably, the water from this river is primarily used for the irrigation, mining, industries, domestic consumption, agricultural activities, power generation. In this respect, any slight shortage in the water supply would have a significant impact on the activities mentioned above. To start with, since the adequate supply of water is needed for the effective and efficient functioning of the hydro-electric power; therefore any shortage or inadequate in the provision of water would affect the operation of the mentioned hydro-electric machine. As result of this, the mentioned machine would not be able to supply the needed voltage or electricity. It is important, also, to point out that many industries not only in the region within Orange River but also South Africa largely depend on the electricity generated from the discussed basin. With the less supply of electricity, some of the firms that most rely on the electricity may be compelled to seek an alter source of power which may be very expensive. In addition to this, the alternative use of the power would make the manufacturing industries to raise the prices of goods and services. Also, the authority dealing with the supply of electricity may be forced to enforce power rationing policy, and this would affect the population that depends on the electricity for the domestic use.

Impact on Agriculture

Another major area that would be affected by the climate change on the Orange River basin is the agricultural sector. It is imperative to point out that the discussed river can supply up to 94% of the current total water requirement. The change of the climate would impede the river from providing the needed amount of the water would, therefore, affect the agricultural activities that take place on the river (Shewmake n.p.). Notably, the availability of this river has enabled the establishment of the intensive irrigation that supports the crops such as the grapes, citrus, pecans, pistachios and vegetables have been planted along the river. The low supply of the water would, therefore, affect the planning of such crops. This means that the farmers and the consumers of the outlined crops would be majorly affected. Above all, with the reduction of the farming activities within the river, the prices for the agricultural produce would hike, which would further raise the standard of the living. Another point to note is that the steady supply of the water from the discussed river has made it possible for the livestock rearing to take place. The water from the river is invariably supplied to the livestock farms, thereby raising the agricultural economy in the region within the river (Shewmake 44). Prevalently, the reduced supply of the water would mean that the river would not be in a position to support the livestock farming. As a result of this, those who had largely depended on the said livestock would be negatively affected. Above all, the standard of living would be high because farmers and those who relied on beef and other products from the livestock would be forced to seek an alternative means.

Impact on Mining and Domestic Use

Prevalently, the reduction in the water supply of Orange River basin would also affect the mining activities that take place within the region. It is important to point out that the extraction of mines cannot be carried out without the supply of the water. For instance, the discussed river has adequately supported the extraction of the alluvial diamond, alumni silicate, dolomite, asbestos, copper, and limestone. Moreover, it has also supported the mining and quarrying of the gravel that is mostly used during the construction of the road (“Human Impacts on Water Quality in the Orange-Senqu River Basin” n.p). In this respect, it is, therefore, explicit that the river plays an important role in the economy of the South Africa. Therefore, its reduction would mean that there would be a reduction of the outlined economic activities. Failure for the extraction to take place or if the operation is interfered with would impact those who their economic life depend on the mining operations (“Human Impacts on Water Quality in the Orange-Senqu River Basin” n.p). Also, the government of the South Africa would also be compelled to use for the alternative means or to use other rivers in the extraction of the gravel; this may be expensive for the government. Also, the government would lose revenue that is generated from the mining activities in the region. Another important area that would be affecting by a low supply of the water is the domestic sector.

Impact on Domestic and Industrial use

It is important to note that the river has adequately supported the community living within the region with the water for the domestic purpose. The low supply of the water would, therefore, means that resident in the region either reduce the water consumption or look for other sources of the water which may be very expensive (“Human Impacts on Water Quality in the Orange-Senqu River Basin” n.p). As a result of this, the standard of living of the community residing within the region would escalate. On a similar note, the industries that have benefited from the water supply from the Orange River would be compelled either to reduce their usage of water or to transport water from other sources. However, this may increase the production cost for the firm.

Measures Initiated in addressing the change in Climate

Alternative Source of Water Supply

As mentioned the early, the climatic change would have an adverse effect on the Orange River basin reducing its ability to supply the adequate amount of water needed by the surrounding community. In addressing these challenges, the major stakeholders in the community have initiated various strategies to enable them to cope with the climatic change. To begin with, they have a look for another source of water supply, such as the uses of the surface and ground water within the basin (Rutashobya 21). The initiation of the boreholes in the water catchment areas are among the strategies used to ensure that there is an additional supply of water when the discussed river is not in a position to provide enough water.

Agricultural Alternative

The Community living with the Orange River who are regularly involve in the agricultural activities have initiated adaptive measures to ensure that they are not affected by the climate change that reduces the water supply of the discussed river. In doing so, they have come up with the water conservation mechanism for their livestock and crops. This means, when the river is able to supply enough water, they would store some water and using it effectively when the water availability in the river is inadequate (Shewmake n.p.). Additionally, during the low supply of the water from the river, they would engage in the farming of the drought resistance plants and also keep the livestock that can survive in the drought areas. Through this initiation, they have reduced the impact of low supply of water caused by the climate change.

Infrastructural Interventions

The Water Resource Management has initiated infrastructural interventions to assist in coping with the low supply of water as a result of the climate change affecting Orange River basin. Notably, they have constructed several dams, reservoirs, and diversions to offer the storage of water when the discussed river is able to supply plenty of water. Notably, during the drought season or when the water level has gone down in the river, they would encourage the community to use the water in the reservoirs (Rutashobya 21). Important to note is that when the climate change is cause the flooding of the river, the excessive water can be harvested and stored. The Water Resource Management has resolved the storage of the excess water as one of the strategies of reducing the vulnerability to the climate change. The above strategy has one of the best because it enables the community to have a constant supply of water throughout the season.

Adaptive Measures

As a way of addressing the challenges that are associated with the climate change that would lead to the low supply of water. The stakeholders involved have collaborated with the meteorologists and all experts in the field of the weather to carry out a monitoring or observation of the key meteorological and hydrological factors of the climate change indicators. Such reports have been recorded in a database. The mentioned factors include the rainfall patterns, evaporation, flows in river and temperature. The database would then be used to provide future analysis on climate change (Rutashobya 21). Through this, the stakeholders would be informed in good time of the climate change. As a result of this, they would be in a better position of preparing early enough so that they are not impacted by the climate change that would affect the Orange River basin.

Research Programs and Capacity Building

Prevalently, capacity building is one of the key and important strategies that are used in the combating the change in climate. It is imperative to note that it provide a tailored measures in addressing the discussed effects of the climate change. Owing to this, the community living in the Orange River basin has collaborated with major institutions to address the impact of the climate change and workable solutions that would reduce the vulnerability of the climate change (Rutashobya 21). The issues such as the planting of more trees have been initiated to increase the rainfall in the region. As result of this, the water level in the Orange would be increased, and the community also would be in a position to harvest the rainfall water and use it during the drought season. Also, from the capacity building, the issues such as the deforestation within the region have been discouraged because it would interfere with the water supply in the region (Rutashobya 21). Notably, more research is still being carried to identify the best coping and adaptive strategy that would provide a long lasting solution for the negative effect of the climate on discussed river.

Innovative Awareness

The experts involve in the water resource management have initiated innovative awareness strategy that is meant to assist in addressing the impact of the climate change on Orange River Basin. They have come up with the communication strategy that would inform all stakeholders about the expected climate change. Approach mentioned above is meant to alert the community so that they start to prepare in advance on ways of survival during the low supply of water from the discussed river (Rutashobya 21). The communication tactic also sensitizes the community to start harvesting, storing water and conserving the water. Owing to this, they would effectively cope up during the drought season. Furthermore, this strategy would also outline the expectation from all stakeholders. For instance, the farming has been encouraged to plant drought resistance crops, the households have been informed to store enough water and industries, and mining companies have been advised to seek the alternative supply of water during the future drought (Rutashobya 21). Consequent to this measure, the community, and all stakeholders have effectively adapted to the change of climate that affects the Orange River Basin.

Conclusion

From the discussion, it is clear that the change in the climate would have adverse effects on Orange River basin. It would affect the patterns of temperature, evaporation, and hydrology that would, in turn, reduce the water levels of the river leading to seasons of drought. Also, the change in climate would alter the rainfall patterns, and this can also lead to the low supply of the water from the river. Besides, since the climate change would alter the patterns of precipitation, evaporation, and hydrology, the Orange River would, therefore, experience extreme weather events such as the storms, floods, and drought. As a result of the reduction of the water supply, the agricultural, domestic, industrial and mining activities would be significantly affected. In addressing effects of the climate change, there has been the establishment of the adaptive measures to assist in coping with the negative impact of the change in climate.

Works Cited

Bennie. “Climate Change Impacts on the Orange-Senqu Basin (WP4).” WIS, 2014, wis.orasecom.org/climate-change-impacts-on-the-orange-senqu-basin. Accessed 5 May 2017.

Rutashobya, Datius G. “Climate Change Scenarios. Impacts and Adaptation Strategies in Africa.” In Towards Climate Change Adaptation-Building Adaptive Capacity in Managing African Transboundary River Basins. InWEnt, 2008.

Shewmake, Sharon. “Vulnerability and the Impact of Climate Change in South Africa’s Limpopo River Basin.” IFPRI Discussion Paper, vol. 15, no. 2, 2008, cdm15738.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p15738coll2/id/13817/filename/13818.pdf. Accessed 5 May 2017.

“Human Impacts on Water Quality in the Orange-Senqu River Basin.” The Orange-Senqu River Commission, www.orangesenqurak.com/river/water+quality/human+impacts.aspx. Accessed 5 May 2017.