SOME GOOD news came from the Conference of the Parties (COP27), celebrated in Egypt and ended on 20 November 2022.

More than 190 nations agreed to create a global fund for ‘loss and damage’ to compensate developing nations who are particularly vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change; a sign of hope for the future of humanity. However, the challenge still lies ahead, as Mohamed Adow, Director of Power Shift Africa points out in the Daily Maverick: “We have the fund, but we need money to make it worthwhile. We have an empty bucket. Now we need to fill it so that support can flow to the most impacted people who are suffering right now at the hands of the climate crisis.” 

For Africa, which contributes only 4% of global CO2 emissions—compared with 32.4% for China and 12.6% for the United States—and suffers great destructive effects, this is indeed a step in the right direction.

Global warming, a consequence of human behaviour, is affecting rainfall patterns all over the world. Droughts and floods provoke calamities in different regions of the earth, their consequences being more acute in poorer nations.

Due to over-exploitation and increasing demands, water, the pillar of life, has become a limited resource in many areas of the world. The survival of humanity depends on its preservation. While many struggle to find drinkable water and lack proper sanitation in arid regions or crowded cities of the South, others waste or consume the liquid gold in excess. In South Africa, the average water consumption is 234 litres per person per day, high above the global average of 173 litres. Some of the articles in this issue refer to the need for saving water, through rainwater collection or changes in our domestic habits and the urgency of improving the maintenance of the distribution and water treatment systems. As we are reminded, in South African urban centres, 37% of the treated water is lost through leaks and burst pipes.

Water pollution is another challenge to global health. The preservation of rivers, wetlands and catchment areas is a priority. We all need to take responsibility for it. Marshlands play a very important role in the purification of water. The examples of Klip River, south of Johannesburg, and the restoration of wetlands in Lesotho, mentioned by Jill Williams and Carla Fibla respectively, show the importance of preserving swamps and avoiding the outpouring of great volumes of polluted water from mining, industries and agriculture into them, which impedes their cleaning function as traps for heavy metals and chemicals.

A special word of gratitude for her contribution to this edition goes to Dr Rudo Sanyanga for her inestimable work.

The season of Advent and Christmas is here, with the celebration of the birth of Our Lord. It is a time of hope as we walk closely with our Mother Mary. Today, millions are expressing their belief in a more fraternal way of being in the world, living in harmony with creation. Water is also a symbol of the new life in Christ received through baptism. We celebrate the giving of life and the gift of water, and That which quenches all our deep desires. A blessed Christmas to all!