The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the challenges that South Africa will face as the climate crisis grows. Public health leadership is critical to a just and sustainable recovery.

While South Africa fights today’s Covid-19 battles, "it must also look ahead to building a just and sustainable post-Covid-19 country," wrote James Irlam, the chairperson of the climate, energy and health special interest group of the Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA), in a letter to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize. The letter was copied to the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and sent to the Presidency. Read more in Saturday Star.

For a full supporting analysis, read Climate Crisis and Coronavirus: Searching for Shared Solutions by James Irlam.