7 December 2007
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Conference held in Bali, Indonesia on climate change aims to find solutions to
the increasing global greenhouse gas emissions. The two week conference started
on Monday, 3 December 2007, and will end 14 December 2007. Representatives from
over 180 countries are in attendance.
The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Rejoice
Mabudafhasi, will attend the conference and mobilise support for greater women
involvement in all issues pertaining to sustainable use of natural resources
and protection of environment. On 11 December 2007, the Global Network for
Women Ministers of Environment, which the Deputy Minister co-chairs with
Canada, will discuss the impact of Climate Change on women and explore ways to
put women on the international forums to enable them to participate and
influence decisions.
The effects of Climate Change include:
* Drought and increase in the frequency and intensity of floods. Scientists
predict that 75 million to 250 million Africans will be exposed to increased
water stress by 2020. Agricultural production will be adversely affected and
unprecedented levels of famine could set in.
* Destruction of nature reserves and coastal wetlands.
* In the long run, scientists predict that more than a million species
worldwide could be driven to extinction by 2050. This will negatively affect
world tourism income which in the case of South Africa accounts for over eight
percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Thousands of jobs in transportation and
hotel and catering industries could be lost as tourist figures decline
drastically.
* Longer and hotter heat waves will cause wildfire to occur more often.
* Rivers and coastal flooding will wipe off coastal cities.
The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Rejoice
Mabudafhasi, is appealing for action by all governments of the world to
introduce measures to cut their greenhouse gas emissions and in so doing to
ensure a better life for all on our planet and in particular for the most
vulnerable women and children.
"Women comprise over half of the world's population and are the primary
caregivers and sometimes sole bread-winners for their families. In rural areas
livelihoods are heavily dependent on natural resources. Needless to say, the
effects of climate change will affect women more than any other segment of the
world population. As the main custodians of the environment, the voices of
women must be heard particularly in influential institutions/bodies which make
policies and decisions about the use of environment at international,
continental and local level.
The United Nations regards the recognised Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) as the bill of women's rights
and its provisions include environmental justice and other areas. The
convention obliges signatory governments to take action to promote and protect
the rights of women. As women comprise the majority of the world population,
their role in guaranteeing a sustainable environment should be given top
priority and respectâ, said the Deputy Minister.
Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi further called upon industries, governments and all
global citizens to embark on measures which will curb greenhouse gas emissions.
This includes an appeal for industries to invest in clean technologies in order
to drastically reduce emissions in their operations and to invest in
partnerships with governments to conduct research and pursue renewable energy
technologies and energy efficiency and further to appeal for all citizens of
the world to commit to reducing, recycling and re-using goods/material to easy
the burden on the environment.
For more information, please contact:
Moses Rannditsheni
Media Liaison Officer for the Deputy Minister
Tel: 012 310 3898/9
Cell: 082 448 2450
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
7 December 2007
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.environment.gov.za)
