Water challenge 

SA does not have enough water, as it is ranked as the 30th driest country in the world with a mean annual precipitation of 450mm. The country is also suscepticle to periodic and long-lasting droughts. In large parts of SA much of the rain that reaches the ground soon evaporates and re-enters the atmospheric phase of the hydrological cycle.

Foe economy 

The water resources in the region have a natural limit making it impossible  to supply without constraits on economic growth.

Energy challenges 

Modern energy services  particularly electricity and gas have an effect on productivity, health, education, safe water and communication services. Inequality which is a corrosive threat to societal well-being. Growing of social dissimilarities, lack of energy justice and government ineffectiveness appears to be a hinder to electricity access in many developing countries. Economic crisis and a rise in electricity prices are reported to have harmful welfare consequences among the lower-income group.

Social justice according to Calma et al

According to Calma et al social justice is where people understand it to be about fairness beyond individual justice. To ensure systemic and structured social arrangements to improve equality, as a core political and social value. Involves finding the optimum balance between people's joint responsibilities as a society and own responsibilities as individuals to contribute to a just society

Environmental justice 

With the changing political landscape, the climate crisis is deepening with devastating impacts on the working class in the form of rising food and energy prices, crops failures, water shortages and dislocation. There are environmentally engaged unionists in SA, who were incisive for formulating the environmental programmes of their respective trade unions who work hard to ensure nature is restored.

How wetland programmes were used alleviate poverty

The wetlands play a major role in water supply by providing water purification, flood control, habitant for biodiversity and other ecosystems services and goods. By providing employment which thus decreases poverty and raised awareness and lobbied to include a wetland section within working for water.

The state of environment in SA

The environment has been exploited as if it were an infinite storehouse of resources. Certain groups within society have more influence and power on environmental agenda setting e.g. rhino poaching. Land degradation, water, land and wood shortages that increases poverty. Unemployment is on the rise with basic commodities becoming increasingly unaffordable. Deforestation takes place regularly, soil erosion and water pollution on the rise. The impact of mining on the environment is acid mine drainage