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Climate Change projects in SANCOOP South Africa –Norway research co-operation – SANCOOP Recipe for lower meat consumption Why do people eat so much meat and what can we do to reduce consumption? A group of researchers from Norway and South Africa are working to find the answer to this question. The project is headed by Sunita Prugsamatz Ofstad, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Psychology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. Dr Prugsamatz Ofstad says that reducing meat consumption among the population will result in huge environmental gains. “Global meat consumption creates more greenhouse gas emissions than all cars, planes, trains, trailers, busses and other forms of transport. Meat production is one of the worst climate offenders in the world, and accounts for 18 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions,” says Dr Prugsamatz Ofstad. In spite of this, very little research has been conducted on which methods can be used to change people’s consumption of meat. South Africans eat an average of 59 kilos of meat per capita each year, while the corresponding figure for Norwegians is 66 kilos. Meat consumption is not easily dealt Project title: Towards an integrated tailored food policy: Consumer-level mitigation using a hybrid analysis of meat choice and behavioural change Cooperating institutions: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the University of Johannesburg Project managers: Sunita Prugsamatz Ofstad [email protected] and Johane Dikgang, [email protected] Habits, identity, health concerns, and food labelling are the most important factors affecting our meat consumption. Research shows that the price of meat and people’s personal financial situation are less significant (Photo: Shutterstock). with at a purely rational level, as eating any food involves social rules, habits, meaning and emotions. The primary objective of the research project is to increase knowledge of this area and understand how consumers make choices. The researchers recommend conducting information campaigns that emphasise the benefits of lower meat consumption for people’s lifestyle and health. These campaigns must be followed up with practical information about how people can change their diet to make it healthier. Food labels, particularly on meat products, should play an active role in targeting more specific information towards consumers rather than providing generic product information. “So far our research shows that most consumers in both South Africa and Norway are unaware of the impact of reducing their meat consumption or how changing meat choices in their everyday lives could make a difference on CO2 emissions. Information that is tailored to people’s lifestyle and how they can eat less meat is better than general advice on needing to reduce their meat consumption,” says Dr Prugsamatz Ofstad. Lichens can signal climate change Reindeer lichen and thousands of other lichen species in nature may provide an early warning about changes to the climate and the ozone layer. Lichens may not seem like much, but they are vital to biodiversity in nature: thousands of lichen species grow in dry desert areas, deep forests and sparsely vegetated mountain landscapes. Some Richard Peter Beckett is a species are a source Professor of Biology at the of food for animals; University of KwaZulu-Naothers are an imtal in South Africa. portant binding element in topsoil, preventing erosion in arid parts of Africa, for instance. Richard Peter Beckett is a Professor of Biology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. He is particularly interested in stressors that have an impact on the living conditions for lichens. Professor Beckett refers to lichens as “early warners of global climate changes.” “Lichens are incredibly rugged organisms that can survive long-term stresses such as cold, heat and drought. Somewhat ironically, however, they are also very sensitive to change in their climate. By studying lichens we can see an early indication of how climate change is >> >> affecting the natural surroundings,” states Richard Peter Beckett. The research project headed by Professor Beckett and his Norwegian research colleagues at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NBMU) focuses specifically on the protection mechanisms of lichens against harmful UV radiation. “People who often sunbathe produce the dark brown pigment melanin which helps to block the damaging effects of UV radiation. Lichens protect themselves in the same way. We are attempting to measure how UV radiation stimulates the production of melanin in lichens and we are looking at how this affects the growth and spread of lichens. Could melanin potentially protect lichens against the harmful effects of increased UVradiation levels?” says Professor Beckett. The Norwegian-South African research cooperation has thus far resulted in several master’s degrees and a doctoral dissertation is underway. The knowledge acquired could lead to more answers regarding how lichens will react to global climate change. Project title: Climate change – can lichens protect themselves using UVinduced melanins? Partners: Norwegian University of Life Sciences and University of KwaZulu-Natal Project managers: Richard Peter Beckett, [email protected], and Knut Asbjørn Solhaug [email protected] Two cities deal with climate change differently Floods and drought have the greatest impact for the poor population of South Africa’s cities. Durban and Cape Town are taking different approaches to these challenges. “We have studied how the cities of Durban and Cape Town address water security, flood protection and the ensuing pollution problems,” says Catherine Sutherland of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. “Climate change has led to more powerful storms with extreme precipitation and long periods of drought. The two cities face many of the same challenges. What needs to be done to ensure access to clean water for all the residents?” Another major challenge in addition to flooding is pollution. In periods with extreme precipitation, flooding and surface water can pollute sources of drinking water. In times of drought, the water supply may dry up entirely. People have traditionally used the rivers as a reserve source of water, but the river water may be polluted and hazardous to health. “Increasingly, the authorities and residents are calling for more measures to ensure a supply of clean water and prevent flooding in the wake of climate change. City planning and construction of infrastructure are needed to safeguard the future quality of life of the residents,” explains Dr Sutherland. Joyce Stein, community committee member in Durban’s Quarry Road West settlement, informs project members about issues in the settlement. The multidisciplinary research project is analysing institutional constraints on and potential for urban water resource management and adaptation to climate change in the two cities. Cape Town has chosen to actively involve civil society and residents in efforts to work out sound, sustainable measures. Durban is following a more top-down strategy. Project Climate awareness through creative design Can models and illustrations illuminate how climate change will affect the natural environment and our own lives? Professor Håkan Edeholt of the Oslo School of Architecture and Design thinks so. Together with his colleagues from Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa, he is studying how to raise awareness of and involvement in climate change issues using design as a tool. “The biggest challenge today is to translate the knowledge we have about anthropogenic climate change into concrete action to limit the damage to nature and the environment. Researchers who study the environment and climate change seem to be the only ones who truly understand the magnitude of the problem,” says Dr Edeholt. The project’s first fieldwork resulted in the installation “Fiscilla”, which was on display in several design exhibitions 2 in South Africa in 2014. The installation was a model of a tiger fish with engraved messages from farmers and fishermen in South Africa and Namibia who live in areas where drought and lack of water threaten their existence. In 2016, design students from Oslo, Cape Town and Nairobi conducted field studies in both a typical urban shanty town and then compared it with a typical rural area outside the town. The students mapped out environmental challenges and explored opportunities for measures that could yield climate benefits. According to Dr Edeholt, the two field studies use design in various ways to achieve the same objective: to address complex climate challenges. Dr Edeholt thinks there is a need for simple, effective models that can illustrate the future impacts of ongoing climate change. The point of departure is to depict a scenario that has not happened yet in a way that makes it possible for people to truly understand it, experience it and discuss it. Dr Edeholt is talking about using design to conceptualise the climate problem. Project title: C-SAN Futures – Designerly Strategies for Scaling Up Climate Change Approaches in South Africa and Norway Cooperating institutions: Oslo School of Architecture and Design and Cape Peninsula University of Technology Project managers: Håkan Edeholt [email protected] and Aletta Chisin, chisina@[email protected] researchers are analysing the different approaches and looking at how the political processes are translated into practice at the local level. “Political ideas and knowledge about adapting to climate change are conveyed to a wide array of organisational and institutional actors across sectors and administrative levels, and appear to be incorporated in different ways into policy and practice.” A number of key actors in the water resource and environmental sectors of Cape Town and Durban have been interviewed. Students from Norway and South Africa have contributed to field studies and participated in exchange projects. “This cooperation with Norway has yielded major academic benefits for the project and the students.” Project title: Climate change and urban water governance; pathways to social transformation Cooperating institutions: Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), University of Cape Town (UCT) and University of Oslo (UiO) Project managers: Catherine Sutherland [email protected] and Trond Vedeld trond.vedeld@nibr. hioa.no Help with sustainable water management Water is in short supply in South Africa and the government needs tools to support sustainable, fair distribution Since 2014 a group of researchers has been working to develop a framework to enable local authorities to create a sustainable water management strategy. Project manager Herman Helness, Senior Scientist at the research institute SINTEF, explains that this type of planning is necessary to meet anticipated changes in climate and precipitation levels. “Many areas of South Africa are vulnerable to climate change. Agricultural areas and cities with expanding populations are dependent on a reliable water supply, and periods of drought can lead to major problems,” says Mr Helness. The research activity is based in Hessequa Municipality in South Africa, an agricultural area situated between two regions marked by summer and winter rains, respectively. Much of the area’s water supply comes from a reservoir formed by the Korente-Vette dam. The city of Riversdale and surrounding farmlands are entirely dependent on this as their source of water, and are allocated water according to a defined distribution key. “The authorities expect future water needs to exceed the facility’s capacity. They need a framework for sustainable, A toolbox for water conservation Can information influence South Africans to stop wasting water? South Africa’s water supply is under pressure. Last year was the driest year in two decades, but the population has apparently not yet grasped that water has become a scarce resource. Domestic water prices are low for most households and Part of the team that is testing out the efficacy of methods to encourage more sustainable water consumption. From left: Love Idiosa, Dr Hege Westkog, Dr Jorge Garcia, Samantha De Martino and Dr Kerri Brick. waste is common. Professor Martine Visser of the University of Cape Town wants to find out what needs to be done to convince the population to change its consumption habits. “Water resources in the country are shrinking, but water is being wasted by rich and poor alike. The largest consumers are the wealthy, who freely water their gardens and fill up their swimming pools. They are not bothered by a small hike in water rates. It remains to be seen whether information campaigns can change behaviour and give the population a deeper understanding of the need for more sustainable water consumption,” says Martine Visser. She is working together with Jorge Hernan Garcia Lopez from the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research - Oslo (CICERO) to analyse the Project title: Sustainable water management for resilience to climate change adaption Cooperating institutions: Stellenbosch University and SINTEF Project managers: Willelm Petrus De Clercq, [email protected] and Herman Helness, [email protected] integrated water management. We will help them by providing a method that supports decision-making based on utilisation patterns, future water needs and the social, environmental and economic impact of different measures,” Mr Helness states. The project is a collaboration between Stellenbosch University and the research institute SINTEF. Much of the work involves systematising existing data on water utilisation and plans to reach local development goals. “We have presented a sustainability analysis to representatives of the public and private sectors, and we have discussed strategies for adapting to anticipated climate change impacts. One measure may be to increase water supply by raising the height of the dam in the Korente-Vette dam reservoir or by establishing a second reservoir. Other potential measures include increased water recycling or changing the distribution key between various sectors,” Mr Helness explains. Project title: The role of behavioural interventions in climate change adaption and mitigation; the case of local communities in South Africa Cooperating institutions: Center for International Climate and Environmental Research - Oslo (CICERO) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) Project managers: Jorge Hernan Garcia Lopez, [email protected] and Martine Visser, martine.visser@ uct.ac.za effect of various behavioural interventions aimed at South African households. They are testing nine behavioural treatments, including using different forms of messaging, challenging social norms and communicating that water is an invaluable, scarce resource. The researchers have carried out a randomised, controlled trial (RCT) in a region of the Western Cape province with 400 000 households. The region is particularly susceptible to drought >> 3 >> and is home to a large number of lowincome households. “Our hypothesis was that reliable, easyto-understand information about the water shortage and the potential effects of climate change would sway households to conserve water. We assumed this would lead them to act more responsibly and with greater awareness,” Professor Visser explains. Information was conveyed to households primarily through messages included with their domestic water bills. She says it is still a little too soon to draw any final conclusions following the trial. “We are still working to collect data from households. So far, the results indicate that low-income groups are primarily moved to save water when the price of water and potential to save money are made explicit on their invoices. Higher-income households were more receptive to interventions seeking to change attitudes, encouraging them to be more socially responsible and to support sustainable resource use.” Professor Visser says that the measures tested thus far appear to change anywhere from two to eight per cent of the population’s consumption patterns, depending on which population segments are asked. The role of beliefs in the fight against climate change Is it more difficult for people with deep religious convictions to adapt to climate change? The Research Council of Norway Drammensveien 288 P. O. Box 564 NO–1327 Lysaker This is a question that scientist and philosopher Ruth Ananke Loubser of NorthWest University in South Africa is looking to answer. In cooperation with South African and Norwegian colleagues and students, she has studied how attitudes, cultural backgrounds and belief systems affect the South African population’s perception of, and willingness to act in response to, climate risk and vulnerability. “We need a better understanding of how people’s beliefs and world view affect their ability to accept climate change as a real problem and subsequently to adapt. This will make it easier to reach them with sensible recommendations on actions to take,” states Dr Ruth Ananke Loubser. The researchers have conducted field studies and undertaken a large number of in-depth interviews in a rural area in the northwest of South Africa. This region is marked by high unemployment, low education and a weak economy, which makes the population vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Dr Loubser says that people with strong religious convictions and a fixed world view may be more inclined to simply accept circumstances than other groups. National Research Foundation Meiring Naudé Road Brummeria P.O. Box 2600 Pretoria 0001 Project title: Exploring the relationship between belief systems and climate change impact on society in South Africa. Cooperating institutions: University of Oslo (UiO) and North-West University (NWU), South Africa Project managers: Ruth Ananka Loubser, [email protected] and Karen Linda O´Brien [email protected] 4 [email protected] [email protected] Coordinators Jan Monteverde Haakonsen Mob: +47 90127878 [email protected] Researchers and students have carried out over 100 interviews among the population of South Africa to compile information on their world view and their outlook on climate change. “Some people have a fatalistic outlook and believe that humans have no power to change nature. We also find groups whose perspective on the future does not extend beyond four to five years. This makes it difficult to convince them to take action in the face of future impacts of climate change,” she says. Although belief systems provide stable points of reference that help people to make sense of the world, it is also important for individual and collective belief systems to be flexible when new information about changes in the external environment becomes available. “A good point of departure can be to present concrete proof of the adverse effects of climate change. Our field studies show that many people find it easier to believe what they can see than what they hear,” she points out. She says that the results provide a good foundation for better understanding the correlation between world view and the ability to adapt to climate change. Teuns Phahlamohlaka Tel: +27 12 481 4385 [email protected] Text and layout Mediepartner Melkeveien Designkontor November 2016 About the programme SANCOOP The programme for South African – Norwegian research co-operation on Climate Change, the Environment and Clean Energy seeks to establish the basis for long-term research cooperation between Norway and South Africa through the funding of joint research projects. www.forskningsradet.no/sancoop