Rising temperatures are causing catastrophic climate impact worldwide. Climate change is contributing to increased extreme weather events like hurricanes, flooding, heat waves and droughts. It is also accelerating the melting of sea ice and glaciers leading to global sea level rise. As a result, we are seeing a growing number of climate-related social crises. Further, the health of the ecosystems upon which humans and all other species depend is deteriorating rapidly. Seasons are shifting in many regions, with impacts on factors that spread disease. Today, 1% of our planet is too hot to support human life. But within the next 50 years, almost 20% of the planet could suffer the same fate, leading to mass migration. By 2050, it is estimated that there will be over 200 million climate refugees. In particular, climate change will severely impact South Africa's future prosperity. Through higher water demand, a missed increased water scarcity, increased risk of flooding, loss of arable land leading to food insecurity, increasing inequality and public health risk, and irreversible loss of ecosystems and biodiversity. South Africa's ecosystems are among the most at risk in the world. Climate-induced migration will disproportionately affect Africa, where there are already high numbers of internally displaced persons. South Africa's energy system is highly reliant on coal. Coal and other commodities also make up a significant portion of the country's exports. The time when its primary trade partners are signaling their intention to transition to low carbon economies. Temperature increases in South Africa are anticipated to be twice the global average. This will have severe implications for human health, rainfall patterns, and agricultural productivity. But climate impacts will not be distributed equitably amongst South Africans. Historically and systemically disadvantaged communities and women, those without access to employment or any lower incomes, and those without land are all more vulnerable due to entrenched inequity. Climate change is a planetary emergency with disproportionate impacts on South Africa. The time to act is now.