PUB2606
PORTFOLIO Semester 2 2025
Due Date: 31 October 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, INTRODUCTION
This portfolio focuses on key environmental challenges and policy implementation
gaps that shape sustainable development in the 21st century. The first part
examines the top five global environmental concerns, including climate change,
deforestation, pollution, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity. Each of these
challenges not only threatens ecosystems but also impacts human health, economic
stability, and social wellbeing. Practical solutions and best practices will be
highlighted to show how local and global communities can work together to protect
natural resources for future generations.
The second part shifts attention to South Africa, a country with progressive
environmental policies but ongoing struggles in translating them into effective action.
Five sectoral examples will be analysed to demonstrate how overlapping mandates,
limited resources, and governance challenges affect practical outcomes. By linking
theory with real-world practice, this portfolio aims to show the importance of coherent
strategies for achieving sustainability.
QUESTION 1
Top Five Environmental Concerns in the 21st Century and Global Best Practice
Solutions
Introduction
The 21st century is marked by urgent environmental concerns that directly affect the
quality of life, human health, and the stability of ecosystems across the world. The
rapid growth of populations, industrialisation, and urbanisation has placed immense
pressure on both natural and manmade environments. Issues such as climate
change, water scarcity, deforestation, pollution, and the loss of biodiversity are
among the most pressing challenges. These concerns are deeply connected and
have far-reaching social, economic, and political consequences. In response,
governments, communities, and international organisations have attempted to
implement policies and best practices to address these issues. However, the
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
, success of these efforts depends on sustainable solutions that combine
technological innovation, education, legislation, and global cooperation (McMichael
1993; Sitarz 1993).
Climate Change and Global Warming
Climate change is one of the most critical environmental concerns in the 21st
century. The increase in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and
chlorofluorocarbons has trapped heat in the atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse
effect (Huntley et al 1989). The burning of fossil fuels, industrial production,
deforestation, and agricultural activities are the main sources of these emissions.
Developed countries are responsible for about half of the total global carbon dioxide
emissions, but rapidly industrialising nations such as Brazil, China, and India are
also major contributors (McMichael 1993).
The impacts of climate change are widespread. Average global temperatures have
risen steadily since the early 20th century, with projections suggesting increases of
between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century (McMichael 1993).
Rising temperatures have already resulted in the melting of glaciers, rising sea
levels, and flooding of coastal towns. Low-lying countries such as Bangladesh are
particularly at risk of being submerged. Climate change has also led to more
frequent natural disasters, including floods, droughts, and severe storms, which
threaten agriculture and food security. In addition, warmer weather increases the
prevalence of diseases such as malaria, cholera, and bilharzia, putting pressure on
public health systems (McMichael 1993; Sunter 1996).
Best practices to combat climate change include reducing greenhouse gas
emissions by shifting towards renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar, and
hydro. International agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement
represent global commitments to reduce emissions. Locally, South Africa has
introduced renewable energy projects in the Northern Cape, focusing on solar
energy, as part of its Just Energy Transition programme. On an individual level, the
adoption of energy-saving technologies and lifestyle changes, such as the use of
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
PORTFOLIO Semester 2 2025
Due Date: 31 October 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, INTRODUCTION
This portfolio focuses on key environmental challenges and policy implementation
gaps that shape sustainable development in the 21st century. The first part
examines the top five global environmental concerns, including climate change,
deforestation, pollution, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity. Each of these
challenges not only threatens ecosystems but also impacts human health, economic
stability, and social wellbeing. Practical solutions and best practices will be
highlighted to show how local and global communities can work together to protect
natural resources for future generations.
The second part shifts attention to South Africa, a country with progressive
environmental policies but ongoing struggles in translating them into effective action.
Five sectoral examples will be analysed to demonstrate how overlapping mandates,
limited resources, and governance challenges affect practical outcomes. By linking
theory with real-world practice, this portfolio aims to show the importance of coherent
strategies for achieving sustainability.
QUESTION 1
Top Five Environmental Concerns in the 21st Century and Global Best Practice
Solutions
Introduction
The 21st century is marked by urgent environmental concerns that directly affect the
quality of life, human health, and the stability of ecosystems across the world. The
rapid growth of populations, industrialisation, and urbanisation has placed immense
pressure on both natural and manmade environments. Issues such as climate
change, water scarcity, deforestation, pollution, and the loss of biodiversity are
among the most pressing challenges. These concerns are deeply connected and
have far-reaching social, economic, and political consequences. In response,
governments, communities, and international organisations have attempted to
implement policies and best practices to address these issues. However, the
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
, success of these efforts depends on sustainable solutions that combine
technological innovation, education, legislation, and global cooperation (McMichael
1993; Sitarz 1993).
Climate Change and Global Warming
Climate change is one of the most critical environmental concerns in the 21st
century. The increase in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and
chlorofluorocarbons has trapped heat in the atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse
effect (Huntley et al 1989). The burning of fossil fuels, industrial production,
deforestation, and agricultural activities are the main sources of these emissions.
Developed countries are responsible for about half of the total global carbon dioxide
emissions, but rapidly industrialising nations such as Brazil, China, and India are
also major contributors (McMichael 1993).
The impacts of climate change are widespread. Average global temperatures have
risen steadily since the early 20th century, with projections suggesting increases of
between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century (McMichael 1993).
Rising temperatures have already resulted in the melting of glaciers, rising sea
levels, and flooding of coastal towns. Low-lying countries such as Bangladesh are
particularly at risk of being submerged. Climate change has also led to more
frequent natural disasters, including floods, droughts, and severe storms, which
threaten agriculture and food security. In addition, warmer weather increases the
prevalence of diseases such as malaria, cholera, and bilharzia, putting pressure on
public health systems (McMichael 1993; Sunter 1996).
Best practices to combat climate change include reducing greenhouse gas
emissions by shifting towards renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar, and
hydro. International agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement
represent global commitments to reduce emissions. Locally, South Africa has
introduced renewable energy projects in the Northern Cape, focusing on solar
energy, as part of its Just Energy Transition programme. On an individual level, the
adoption of energy-saving technologies and lifestyle changes, such as the use of
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
