Introduction
Mayor of uMgungundlovu District Municipality, Mr Yusuf Bhamjee, Mayor of Msunduzi Local Municipality, Cllr Chris Ndlela; other mayors present; MEC of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development; Dr Meshack Radebe, all the MECs, MPLs and Councillors present; members of the media; ladies and gentlemen.
Yesterday marked 10 days before the start of the 17th Conference of Parties, COP 17, which takes place at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) from 28 November to 9 December 2011.
South Africa is honoured to play host to representatives from 192 countries who will gather for the two weeks to deliberate on global actions to mitigate against and adapt to the effects of Climate Change.
Essentially the conference aims to discuss a global action that ensures that temperature increases from greenhouse gas emissions are kept below two degrees Celsius. Anything above this will result in dangerous climate change effects that could undermine efforts to eradicate poverty and under development.
South Africa takes very seriously its role in addressing climate change and it is for this reason that we have are currently working on national climate change legislation, aimed at finding solutions to climatic challenges faced by our country.
It is with this seriousness in mind that we the Government of KwaZulu-Natal, have been running a series of community climate change awareness road shows in all corners of the province.
We are equally mindful that a lot still needs to be done, that more of our people still need to be educated on the little steps each and everyone of us can take, one day at a time, to contribute towards minimising the effects of climate change.
Play your part – Let us all act today
It is important that we preserve our environment for our future generations. Let sustainable development be Our Legacy.
It is equally important that you take the information our officials will share with you back to your communities and spread the message of protecting our environment as wide as possible. We rely on you to bring about behavioural change not only among your peers, but among adults who are have over the years largely contributed to the degradation of our environment.
Here are some of the practical ways you can make an individual contribution:
Home construction
Do not build your house in areas that may be at risk from the impacts of severe weather events like floods and storm surges (big waves) – climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather-related events (flooding, fire, storms and drought).
Walking instead of driving
Use your own muscle power whenever and wherever possible, e.g. walk or cycle rather than using a taxi or car – emissions from transport are one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse gases.
Public instead of private transport
Use public transport whenever and where-ever possible – emissions from transport are one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse gases.
Plant trees
As we will be doing shortly, it is important to plant indigenous trees – trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and use it as their energy source, producing oxygen for us to breathe.
Recycle
Recycling paper also saves trees and reduces the energy used in paper manufacturing.
Save energy
Save electricity. Turn off lights when you do not need them, fit a solar water heater, use gas for cooking, insulate your house – reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and save on your electricity bill.
Use energy saving bulbs such as compact fluorescent lights (CFL) or, better still, light emitting diode (LED) lights – CFL and LEDs use far less energy than incandescent globes and thus reduce your greenhouse gas emissions
Save water
Do not let water run while shaving, brushing teeth or washing vegetables – our water security is threatened by climate change and energy is used to pump and purify water.
Catch rainwater for use in the garden – our water security is threatened by climate change and energy is used to pump and purify water.
Conclusion
I would like to thank the Department of International Relations and Cooperation for deciding to mark the 10 Days Countdown to COP17 with the community of uMgungundlovu District Municipality.
For government, the real work begins when all the delegates have packed and left our shores. We can only succeed if we work hand in hand – Asisukume Sakhe!
As you enjoy the line up of entertainment this afternoon, remember the power of One Small Step at A Time.
Let us all work together to change tomorrow today!
Ngiyabonga.
