Pressure State Impact Response Outcome Linkages Data issues Conclusions References Indicators Links Introduction Global as a change which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods. The measured atmospheric concentrations of several important gases in terms of their contribution to the enhanced greenhouse effect , are increasing. South Africa is a climatically sensitive country. Most crop agriculture in South Africa takes place where it is only just climatically viable, particularly with respect to rainfall.
Water is the resource most limiting to national development.
A warmer world will cause the sea level to rise, mainly due to expansion of the water in the oceans. This will negatively impact coastal ecosystems, water supplies and infrastructure in coastal regions, via salt contamination of fresh ground and surface water, and erosion and corrosion of buildings and other infrastructures. South Africa has a climate which is highly variable, both across the country and over time. Rainfall is mainly received in summer, except in the southwest, which is a winter rainfall region, and a small area in the southern Cape, where rain can occur at any time of the year. South Africa shares its atmosphere with the rest of the world when it comes to long-lived gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons.