Babatunde Abiodun is Lecturer and Coordinator of the Atmospheric Science Programme for the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science at the University of Cape Town (UCT). He is also an adjunct Professor at the University of Missouri, Kansas City (USA). Prior to joining UCT in 2008, he was a postdoctoral research associate at Iowa State University (USA), and a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (Nigeria). His research interest lies in the development and application of atmospheric modelling, and during his time at Iowa State University, he led the development of a global atmospheric model with grid adaptation. Babatunde Abiodun has co-authored three book chapters, published over 50 peer-reviewed papers in high-profile international journals, and served as Lead Author in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report on Climate Change in 2013: The Physical Science Basis. He has received funding from agencies such as the global change SysTem for Analysis Research and Training (START), the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Southern Africa Water Research Commission (WRC). The funding is to enable him to focus on the development and application of climate models to improve knowledge on regionally-extensive droughts over Africa, extreme weather and climate events, and the impacts of reforestation activities on regional climates. He is an editor for the journal Progress in Earth and Planetary Science, and is a former member of the Council of the Society of South African Geographers (SSAG).

Ashleigh Ho is a post-graduate student at the University. She holds a BSc in environmental science from the University of Pretoria, and graduated with distinction. Her thesis investigated the impacts of stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) on rangelands in Southern Africa.

Ratunku Gabriel Lekalakala is Head of Directorate, and a Specialist Scientist responsible for climate change analysis, at the Department of Water and Sanitation. Also a council member of the South African Hydrological Society, and Chairperson of the Adaptation Network Steering Committee, Ratunku has extensive experience in research and science for policy and development, gained from years of working in various public sectors, including the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. His research and development areas of interest are in climate change, climate-related risk and mitigation, prevention and response, and the use of systems approaches for addressing complex problems.

Azwinhangwisi Edward Nesamvuni holds a PhD in animal breeding and reproduction and is registered as a Professional Natural Scientist specialising in livestock production systems, human capital development and planning, rural development, and agricultural policy. He is driven by a passion for human development, and has previously held various senior posts in South Africa including University Registrar, Deputy Director General at the Department of Agriculture, and Director of Human Capital at the Department of Science & Technology. Over the course of his career to date Azwinhangwisi has authored or co-authored over 120 journal articles, monographs, reports, and book chapters.

Bosede Ruth Olagbegi is a PhD candidate at the University, where she is researching the effects of stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) on Southern African livestock production. She is Nigerian, and holds a master’s degree in animal science from Stellenbosch University in South Africa, a Bachelor of Technology (Hons) in Animal Production and Health, and a master’s in Technology in Animal Production and Management, both from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. Bosede is a Lecturer at the Department of Animal Health and Production Technology at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. Her research and development interests lie in the areas of climate change and sustainable intensification of livestock production.