Working in the area of Adaptation, Impacts and Vulnerability (AIV), I tend to feel like we are locked into a paradigm from which we are unable to escape – at least not at speed. We are chipping away at small pieces of the system, changing a bolt here, greasing up the chain there, however… Read more »
CSAG Blog
How severe is this drought, really?
The Drought… Everyone in the Cape must be acutely aware of the drought by now. Yes… we’re in the middle of it… Perhaps the idea has not fully crystallized in the minds of a couple of thirsty dwellers of Claremont and Constantia, who still guzzle 2-3 thousand of liters of water per person per day… Read more »
Last month CSAG celebrated!
On the 27th July 2017 CSAG celebrated our 25 Year anniversary and officially launched as a University of Cape Town Research Centre. Over a relaxed breakfast event we were joined by a large number of our CSAG colleagues, affiliates and friends. Special attendees and guest speakers included Professor Anton le Roex (Dean of UCT Science Faculty), Dr…. Read more »
The walk of life with brothers in arms
By Chris Lennard An ancient proverb says that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. I am very fortunate to have a friend of some 20 years like this. I am known as his “Ugly twin brother Chris” and likewise he is my “Ugly twin brother Bruce”. He is married to “my… Read more »
Are rains good this season?
There is no need to remind that Cape Town’s water supply situation is dire. We have level 4 water restrictions in place, water storage levels are extremely low and alternative short-term and long-term water sources are actively being sought by the city’s government – solutions such as funding a set of temporary desalination plants, and… Read more »
‘Trust me, I’m an expert’: Weighing expert opinion in a transdisciplinary space
By Jessica Lee “Oh dear, they are probably going to tear it apart.” We’ve just finished the first draft of our new tool developed as part of the Small Opportunity Grant project: Developing a Common Language for Climate Change. It’s a game aimed at helping city officials understand the different ways in which the term… Read more »
“What a time to be communicating climate information”.
I grew up in a community where anything just happened because it was just meant to happen. Well, at least we thought so and not many had the curiosity to ask themselves why. Livelihood activities such as farming were based on indigenous knowledge systems which are traced way back to the days of our great… Read more »
Winter School 2017: Applications open
The Climate System Analysis Group (CSAG) based at the University of Cape Town will be running its annual course: Winter School: Using climate information for adaptation and policy development, from 24-28 July 2017. This 1 week intensive course has been developed specifically for participants from developing country and aims to take participants through the full spectrum… Read more »
The sociable scientist
By: Jessica Lee Being the only philosophy graduate in a friendship circle of scientists I often find myself in debates on the role of science and scientists in the public sphere. I recall one particular conversation where a friend of mine told me that, “Scientists shouldn’t have to deal with society. What we need is… Read more »