One of the most detrimental outcomes of climate change, particularly unpredictable rainfall patterns, is water shortage. Since water is essential, it is highly important that concerned public and private entities prevent or address water shortage. Fortuitously, opportunities exist to manage water shortage. Infrastructure development, for instance, is one of the solutions to water shortage. Communities, particularly those with limited water sources such as countries in the dry regions of South Africa, need infrastructure that would curb shortage. Existing infrastructure include those that contribute to water supply management as well as other systems or schemes that aim towards similar goals. Adaptation strategies also assist communities not only in managing and preserving water supply but also in preparing for the imminent impact of climate change and rainfall variability.
Some communities need help or assistance more than others. As formerly noted, countries in drier regions such as South Africa already experience water shortage problems. Climate change would exacerbate this problem. Hence, Ziervogel, Shale, and Du (2010) asserted that opportunities to manage water shortage problems must be presented in communities at higher risk. Most of these communities are in developing countries where governments are incapable of developing and funding for infrastructure and adaptation systems and strategies to manage water shortage crisis. In the research study, Ziervogel, Shale, and Du focused on the city of Cape Town in order to highlight problems or issues that impede water supply management such as socio-economic incapacity and poor leadership, among others.
Overall, Ziervogel, Shale, and Du (2010) reiterated that addressing climate change issues such as water shortage in developing regions such as South Africa necessitate the employment of adaptation strategies. Leadership development is necessary to empower public leaders and equip them with necessary knowledge and skill to lead initiatives of adaptation. Communities, particularly government agencies also need to acquire necessary information so they could develop preventive solutions to water shortage. Furthermore, the researchers suggest that employing a holistic approach would benefit communities in South Africa such that agencies and organizations in all sectors cooperate with another to share information and valuable resources to establish and implement solutions to prevent or combat water shortage. Collaboration among stakeholders is also necessary in helping governments in developing countries handle the demands of adaptation and infrastructure development.
References
Ziervogel, G., Shale, M. & Du, M. (2010). Climate change adaptation in a developing country context: The case of urban water supply in Cape Town. Climate and Development, 2, pp. 94-110.
