Mother Jones: S Africa Leadership, Climate Crisis

The metropolitan area of Cape Town has about 4 million people, and officials warn that the city’s water supply, dependent on rainfall, could go dry in April. Droughts, poor planning, population growth, urban migration and high consumption rates contribute to water supply challenges in Cape Town. Restrictions of 50 liters per day have been imposed for residents, but compliance has been uneven. About 50 percent of residents are conserving, and 30 percent continue to engage in over-consumption. If rain does not fall, the city will end supply for all but essential locations like hospitals, and residents and businesses will be directed to water distribution centers. Questions abound about the city’s ability to distribute water and maintain order as well as the ability of residents, especially the poor or elderly, to collect and carry water home. The city continues to work on details of its emergeny plan. Recharging the dams would require three years of adequate rain. Other major cities could experience similar water shortages and should use the Cape Town crisis as a warning to prepare for avoiding conflicts and panic. – YaleGlobal