JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – In the wake of recent extreme weather events that have devastated parts of South Africa, Greenpeace Africa has issued a call to action, demanding accountability from major oil companies for their role in the climate crisis.
The country has been battered by a series of severe weather incidents. The Western Cape experienced its second cut-off low system this week, following a devastating tornado in KwaZulu-Natal and flash floods in the Eastern Cape.
These events have claimed numerous lives, displaced thousands, and caused widespread destruction.
Greenpeace Africa underscores these occurrences as indicative of the escalating climate emergency, fueled by the ongoing extraction and use of fossil fuels.
“The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like these are a direct consequence of the reckless scramble for fossil fuels in Africa by international oil corporations,” stated Siyabonga Myeza, Greenpeace Africa’s Climate and Energy Campaigner.
“These events are not isolated incidents; they are a pattern that will only worsen if we continue down this destructive path.”
The impact of these weather events has been profound. In the Western Cape, 16 families were evacuated due to flooding.
In KwaZulu-Natal, a tornado ravaged Tongaat, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 11 lives, displacing over 1,200 families, and causing extensive damage to homes and schools.
Similarly, the flash floods in the Eastern Cape, particularly in Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City, have left at least 7 dead, displaced 2,500 people, and affected over 6,000 residents.
“Fossil fuel companies must be held accountable for their role in the climate crisis,” Myeza continued. “The devastation left in the wake of these events underscores the necessity for the international oil and gas companies to pay for the damages they have created.”
Greenpeace Africa is calling for an immediate halt to new fossil fuel projects and a significant investment in renewable energy solutions.
“This is not just an environmental issue; it’s a matter of justice for communities bearing the brunt of climate impacts,” Myeza added. “These communities are in dire need of social protections to facilitate rebuilding their lives – carbon majors should bear this cost, not the people.”
The organization also urges the new South African government to prioritize climate resilience by enhancing early warning systems, developing specific disaster response plans for events like tornadoes, and ensuring that communities are well-informed and prepared.
