Johannesburg's water crisis, marked by long queues for water, stems from a combination of hot weather, failing infrastructure, and poor management.
The term "watershedding" has been coined, reflecting the severity of water shortages, akin to the electricity "loadshedding" the country already endures.
A staggering 40% of the city's water is lost to leaks, highlighting the dire state of its water infrastructure.
Key quote:
"We are really struggling. We need to cook, and children must also attend school. We need water to wash their clothes. It’s very stressful."
— Tsholofelo Moloi, a resident of Soweto
Why this matters:
Global water shortages are becoming a pressing issue, affecting millions of people. This crisis stems from a combination of climate change, population growth, and inefficient water use, which together exacerbate the scarcity of this vital resource.
Just 25 cities globally are responsible for 52 percent of urban greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new study that highlights the role that cities must play in reaching the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
A cloud of methane was detected by satellite near coal mines in South Africa, drawing attention to a lesser-known environmental risk that comes from using the dirtiest fossil fuel.
Less than two years after Cape Town's “Day Zero" water crisis, warm, dry weather has prompted South African water suppliers once again to impose emergency conservation measures.
