The loss of Arctic sea ice and the opening of the North West Passage could see Cape Town and other South African ports lose two thirds of their shipping traffic, one of the world’s top climate scientists has warned. Speaking at a conference in Grahamstown, Professor Bruce Hewitson said: “If the Great North-West Passage across North America opens up for the shipping lanes, which is likely to happen in the next few decades with the melt-back of the Arctic sea ice, then Cape Town stands to lose two- thirds of its shipping.” Other ports in the region would be hit just as hard, he warned.
Professor Hewitson leads the University of Cape Town’s Climate Systems Analysis Group and as well as being one of the authors of the recent IPCC report on climate change was one of the 22 scientists who presented that report on publication.
Professor Hewitson leads the University of Cape Town’s Climate Systems Analysis Group and as well as being one of the authors of the recent IPCC report on climate change was one of the 22 scientists who presented that report on publication.