Dawn of a new age? |
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Massive urbanization around Cape Town, which lies just North of
False Bay, affects the environment in many ways. Despite
appearances, the future is not all bright and cheerful. The
seawater gets polluted and more visibly, the skies.
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New age reality |
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(Click for larger view)
More and more often the skies around Cape Town show the tell-tale
reddish brown tinge of air pollution. especially on wind-free
days in winter. This picture, taken in the late afternoon on 14
August 2000 shows the evidence: Smog from Cape Town's traffic
spreads lazily across the waters of False Bay.
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(Click for larger view)
Fortunately Cape Town is mostly a windy place, and the smog
ends up polluting someone else's skies! In the exact same scene
at about the same time but a few days later, a South-Westerly
storm is brewing. With a stiff breeze dark clouds move in and
cast a shadow over the water. However, the atmosphere is clear
of smog and the mountains in the distance are sharply outlined.
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Unfortunately, part of the problem is overpopulation. On the left,
you see the holiday crowd on New Year's Day. On the right,
the same beach on a normal working day.
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