The City of Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic capital and most densely populated city, is experiencing a water shortage which has seen residents bathing in public in protest. The only thing more ludicrous than the lengths fellow citizens have had to go to try and resolve the matter is the Marie Antoinette-esque response from officials who say that they too are impacted by this shortage, and have even had to “go to a certain hotel to bathe” to navigate the situation.

Some of our city’s suburbs have experienced disruptions to domestic water supply for weeks at a time, and city officials warn of even worse times ahead. It is hard to imagine that taps are running dry in the country when just a month ago, the region experienced one of the worst floods in its recorded history. So this isn’t simply about “running out of water.” It’s about climate stress meeting weak systems and the most vulnerable communities paying the price.

Water everywhere, but not a drop to drink 

A Red Level 10 storm in southeastern Africa reportedly saw hundreds of thousands from Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe displaced and hundreds dead. Residents from one of South Africa’s villages most impacted by the floods, Mbaula Village, Limpopo province, described the water arriving “with a roar; not a rise, but a wall that gave no warning”. But, despite all of that rain in the region, and dams servicing the city reportedly sitting at 100 percent capacity, water restrictions persist.  

Civil society groups argue that Johannesburg’s water crisis was not primarily caused by drought but by chronic infrastructure neglect, the resulting massive water losses, governance failures at Joburg Water, and poor coordination between authorities. Burst pipes around the city are rife. But despite President Cyril Ramaphosa’s attempts to upscale repairs and maintenance ahead of last year’s G20 meeting hosted there, continuous heavy showers during the subsequent rainy season have not only undone a lot of these patchwork repairs but have also delayed many structural repairs from going ahead.

Very often we think of climate impacts as the dramatic ruin that results from floods, fires and droughts. But the slow and silent ways that climate change chips away at the fabric of our cities frequently goes unnoticed. Southern Africa is currently experiencing a rainy season super-charged by the climate crisis and La Niña. While Johannesburg may not have flooded to the extent of its northern neighbours Mpumalanga and Limpopo, recent continuous showers have accelerated its infrastructural woes. Until planners address this breadth of climate impacts communities will continue to be left in the lurch. 

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When the math isn’t mathing 

Despite general awareness of the climate crisis, and tools developed by scientists to help us anticipate and navigate the destruction it brings, there is often a disconnect in understanding the immediacy and severity of the local risks we face. Perhaps not surprising when on the global stage it is positioned by many decision-makers as a problem for tomorrow (and not a problem at all, by others). 

When South African Weather Services issued a Red Level 10 warning for the storm that would eventually destroy many homes and lives, many people stayed put because they could not fathom the extent of the destruction that would ensue. Even South African government officials reportedly ignored the warning, and only started evacuation efforts once the storm hit. This speaks to a much deeper gulf between people and the science that could protect us. 

As water woes rise, vulnerabilities deepen

Experts are now warning of the possibility of a malaria outbreak in flood-affected communities across southern Africa. Drinking water has reportedly become contaminated with flood water, which scientists warn could lead to a cholera outbreak. Having to deal with illness threatens to further marginalise those trying to rebuild their lives with limited resources and insufficient access to healthcare. Globally, the UN has warned that freshwater reserves are shrinking due to rising temperatures and mismanagement. South Africa is feeling that pressure acutely. 

Given the South African government’s delayed response to the flood warnings, one might excuse any cynicism in their ability to proactively deal with the cascading issues to come in its aftermath. South Africa’s water crises show what happens when climate stress meets aging systems. It also demonstrates an urgent need for climate adaptation. 

The lesson here is clear: climate resilience must be built into water infrastructure before a crisis hits. At the same time we must hasten the transition away from polluting and water-hungry industries that are driving us deeper into environmental crises – and embrace sustainable water and energy systems for all.

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Thirsty for AI

We’re also seeing a worrying disconnect between decision-making and science as we witness South Africa’s AI data centre boom. Despite President Ramaphosa’s acknowledgement of the water crisis as a national issue, water guzzling industries like AI data centres seem to be rapidly spreading in the country. 

Even the simplest ChatGPT prompt costs roughly one bottle of drinking water to cool down electronic systems at these facilities, according to a Washington Post study with the University of California. 

A recent Greenpeace East Asia report found that AI-related carbon emissions are soaring, with electricity consumption for AI chip manufacturing increasing over 350% in recent years. Not only is AI depleting our water supplies, but its growing contribution to the climate crisis threatens to further exacerbate the situation by worsening climate impacts. 

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The climate crisis is not a thing of tomorrow. We see it in the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather disasters around the world. But, we also see it in the slow and steady collapse of the world around us. To respond effectively requires urgent, concerted effort. 

Only when we see reckless pursuit of profit for what it truly is, can we understand the constant risk that greedy corporations put us in. And what they carelessly take away from us every day. And, maybe then we’d be more selective of the industries we let in.

Commenting on today’s OPEC+ decision to increase oil production by 206,000 barrels per day from April in response to the escalation of conflict in Middle East including the disruption of oil and gas supply in the Strait of Hormuz, Greenpeace International Executive Director Mads Christensen said: 

“Today’s OPEC meeting makes one thing clear: as long as our world runs on oil and gas, our peace, security and our pockets will always be at the mercy of geopolitics. Increasing output may temporarily ease price pressures, but it does not address the structural vulnerability at the heart of this recurring crisis: the world’s continued dependence on fossil fuels.

“Political leaders in all countries must wake up and reclaim the moral compass. This means pursuing peaceful, diplomatic solutions, and securing access to affordable, sustainable energy to replace the volatility of the fossil fuel–driven world order. Renewable energy enables local energy production and is not hostage to geopolitical conflict.

“The escalating violence in the Middle East is a human tragedy. Once again, people are bearing the brunt of Donald Trump’s violence and blatant attacks on the international rule of law. Greenpeace calls for an immediate ceasefire, for international law to be upheld and a return to diplomacy to stop the suffering of civilians.”

ENDS

Contact:

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace International is deeply concerned by the joint military strike on Iran by the US and Israel.

“We express deep sympathy for all those affected by the violence, wherever they live, and urge that every effort be made to protect civilians, homes, and critical infrastructure,” says Mads Christensen, Executive Director, Greenpeace International.

“Military strikes inflict yet more harm on the people of Iran, who have already endured a brutal crackdown in which thousands of protesters and bystanders have been killed, with many more still feared dead.

“Such action will not bring stability or security, it risks deepening suffering, fuelling retaliation, and destabilising an already fragile region.

“The strike on Iran today raises serious concerns under international law and further undermines critical international legal frameworks designed to prevent war and protect human life.

“All parties must immediately halt further military action and return to structured, good-faith negotiations under credible international oversight.

“At this critical time, the rights, safety and dignity of the Iranian people must come first. Civilians should never pay the price for political tension, competing resource interests, or geopolitical power struggles. The people of Iran, like people everywhere, have the right to live free of violence, fear and coercion and to determine their own future.

“The international community must act urgently to prevent further escalation, prioritise diplomacy and ensure accountability for actions that contravene international law and put civilian lives, ecosystems and the global climate at further risk.

“War brings immediate human suffering but also long-term environmental harm. Military conflict contaminates land and water, destroys ecosystems, accelerates climate breakdown, and leaves lasting scars on communities for generations. At a time when the world must urgently unite to confront the climate crisis, further militarisation moves us in the wrong direction.

“Greenpeace calls on all parties to de-escalate tensions and pursue peaceful, diplomatic solutions.”

ENDS

Contacts:

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

A US court has just sided with fossil fuel pipeline giant Energy Transfer and ordered Greenpeace International and Greenpeace entities in the US to pay US$ 345 million.

Quick backstory: last year, a Morton County jury of nine reached a verdict in Energy Transfer’s abusive intimidation lawsuit against Greenpeace entities in the US (Greenpeace Inc, Greenpeace Fund), and Greenpeace International. 

The new judgment from the North Dakota court rejects portions of the absurd jury verdict delivered last March but still awards hundreds of millions of dollars to ET without a sound basis in law, failing to solve the injustices of the case. This judgement is the biggest damage award ever imposed on Greenpeace organisations. It’s meant to shut the movement up.

So let’s be clear: this type of corporate bullying is designed to rob us of our rights and freedoms. 

Energy Transfer has pursued this intimidation lawsuit because Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace International dared to show solidarity with Indigenous environmental defenders who oppose the climate-wrecking Dakota Access Pipeline. It was never about justice and Energy Transfer’s SLAPP suit remains a blatant attempt to silence free speech, erase Indigenous leadership of the Standing Rock movement, and punish solidarity with peaceful resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline. 

So what comes next? Greenpeace International and Greenpeace organisations in the US will seek a new trial, and if that is denied, appeal the judgment with the North Dakota Supreme Court.

At the same time, Greenpeace International has a suit pending against Energy Transfer in the Netherlands under the EU’s anti-SLAPP directive – a landmark test case against corporate bullying.

Energy Transfer’s SLAPPs are part of a wave of abusive lawsuits filed by Big Oil companies like Shell, Total, and ENI against Greenpeace entities in recent years but we will continue to resist intimidation tactics. The fight against Energy Transfer’s SLAPP continues — and it is far from over. We will not be silenced.

We will only get louder, joining our voices to those of our allies all around the world against the corporate polluters and billionaire oligarchs who prioritise profits over people and the planet. 

Stop Corporate Intimidation!

Tell Energy Transfer and other corporate bullies: Stop your attacks on free speech.

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