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04 June 2019 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Charl Devenish
Prof Cathryn Tonne
Air pollution not only costs lives, it costs money too. Pictured is Prof Cathryn Tonne presenting a guest lecture on air pollution at the Bloemfontein Campus.

Health effects associated with ambient air pollution (AAP) have been well documented. Subsequently, the relationship between pollution and financial outcomes have also become a focus for case studies globally. An Environmental Research journal article revealed that “low and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected by the global burden of adverse health effects caused by AAP”. 

A high price to pay

In 2012, high concentrations of air pollution caused 7.4% of all deaths, costing South Africa up to 6% of its Gross Domestic Product. According to the recent International Growth Centre study conducted by senior University of Cape Town researchers, this is a direct consequence of the country’s heavy dependence of fossil fuels, a source of health-damaging air pollution and greenhouse pollutants.

Stunted human and economic growth

These South African statistics are attested to by Prof Cathryn Tonne who recently presented a guest lecture on air pollution which was hosted by the University of the Free State (UFS) Business School.

“Air pollution can affect economic development through several pathways, and health is an important one. Air pollution is linked to shorter life expectancy, chronic disease, asthma exacerbation and many other health outcomes that result in absenteeism from work and school. These have large direct costs to the health system.” 

Prof Tonne says that air pollution exposure in children is linked to reduced cognitive development, with important impacts on human capital. As a result, children are not reaching their full potential in terms of neurodevelopment, which has an effect on their income prospects and the economy as a whole. 

Resolving a looming disaster

Technology may be employed to radically clean the air. Cities need to lead in the reduction of air pollution by promoting renewable energy, using active transport such as walking or cycling, and investing in infrastructure to make this safe and attractive. 

With researchers playing a major role in strengthening the case for aggressive air pollution control, the government needs to implement policies in order to control sources of air pollution. This global health and economic issue also requires individuals and communities to play their part to improve air quality.

News Archive

Handing-over of the Centenary Edition of the Journal for Juridical Science
2005-08-18

On 13 June 2005 the editor of the Journal for Juridical Science (JJS), Prof Charles Ngwena, and the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof Johan Henning, handed over the Centenary Edition of the Journal to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Frederick Fourie.

The Journal of Juridical Science has published original accredited jurisprudential research articles in both English and Afrikaans since 1976.  The Centenary Edition of the Journal (which was published so as to coincide with the University’s centenary celebrations) comprises publications contributed mainly by staff of the Faculty of Law as well as of the Centre for Accounting.  This special edition includes, inter alia, the inaugural lecture of the Honourable Judge of Appeal Joos Hefer (following his appointment as the first honorary professor of Private Law at the UFS) entitled “Billikheid in die Kontraktereg” (Equity in the Law of Contract) and an article comprising a comprehensive review of the history of the Faculty of Law co-authored by Professors JJ Henning, HA Wessels and Adv JH de Bruin (all members of the Department of Roman Law, Legal History and Comparative Law).

The year 2005 marks the 30th year of publication of the JJS.  Two or three editions are published annually (depending on the prevailing circumstances), and each edition comprises 200 – 220 pages.
 

Prof. Charles Ngwena, left, handed a copy of the Centenary Edition of the Journal for Juridical Science to the Rector, prof. Frederick Fourie. With them is prof. Johan Henning.
 

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