Risks and benefits of climate change scrutinised

The economic and social dynamics of climate change as the risks and benefits to Africa, were some of the key issues as international scientists and students converged at UCT this week for the 5th Humboldt Conference.

The event, called Iphakade: Climate Changes and African Earth Systems - past, present and future, kicked-off on 12 January.

It was opened by UCT Vice-Chancellor, Dr Max Price, together with senior delegates from around the world, including the president of Humboldt Conferences from the European Geoscience Union, Professor Peter Fabian, and Tim Lund of the Norwegian Embassy.

The conference aims to deepen the understanding of the interaction between earth systems dynamics and anthropogenic earth system impacts, and to use this knowledge to economically evaluate global change induced by humans, with reference to Africa.

"Communication systems, infrastructure and the management of natural resources across Africa must adapt to an environment that will be affected by changing sea levels, land management, magnetic fields and climate system dynamics," said a statement by the organisers.