National Botanical Gardens, Pretoria
2 February 2006
Programme Director
Management of the National Botanic Gardens: our hosts
Senior Officials from the various spheres of government and government
institutions
Contractors and workers from various wetlands and land-care projects
present
Learners from Letlotlo Secondary School
Invited guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a great pleasure for me to be here with you and to participate in this
important event - the World Wetlands Day. This event occupies a significant
position in the international calendar, especially because it is about the
future of civilisation as we know it today. Indeed, it is an honour to have
opportunity to say a few words in recognition of the essence of this occasion
and to also learn more about our wetlands and their status.
The theme for this yearâs World Wetlands Day events is âIn the face of
poverty â wetlands are lifelinesâ. Bearing the meaning of this theme in mind, I
hope that my brief message will be able to convey the critical message that the
protection of our environment, out wetlands included, is a shared
obligation.
The Citizen newspaper of the 23 January 2006 carried a scary feature
article. In the article James Lovelock, a formidable intellectual in science
studies, is quoted as saying "We are in a foolâs climate, accidentally kept
cool by smoke, and before this century is over billions of us will die and the
few breeding pairs of people that survive will be in the Artic where the
climate remains tolerable".
We may perhaps be inclined to think that this prediction is rather alarmist.
But dare we do nothing about this prediction and continue mismanaging and
abusing the environment? In my mind, I think that we certainly need to act
responsibly and interrelate with the environment in a manner that seek to
promote and protect civilization as we know it, our own lives as human beings
included. We also need to spare a thought for the generation not yet born. Yes,
protection of the human species and the current form of civilisation is a
shared obligation.
My message to, firstly, the learners present here today is to confirm the
critical importance of the environment to every living species on earth. The
destruction of wetlands, land degradation, deforestation and pollution of the
air, all have a negative impact on all living organisms.
Scientific studies show that our ozone layer is being eroded rapidly and
that global warming is heightening at an abnormal rate. We are also informed
that sea surface temperatures are running between 1.8 to 3.6 degrees above
normal.
Science concedes that phenomenon such as hurricanes and storms are cyclic
natural events. We, however, are warned that these natural events are
increasing in intensity and in their destructive fury, thanks to our
mismanagement of the environment. The rapid destruction of the ozone layer is
all due to, among others, the increase in destructive gases that we produce.
These gases also significantly contribute to the weakening of the resilience of
our ecological system.
We would also recall that wetlands play a critical role in purification of
water. Due to their composition, wetlands also serve to retard the intensity
and ferocity of floods. In recent months, people in Gauteng were exposed to
unnaturally intense floods and lives were lost.
In some of these areas, the intensity of these floods could have been
mitigated by local wetlands, had our mismanagement of the environment not
destroyed these natural flood inhibitors.
My other message to our learners is that environmental studies, in addition
to providing you with skills and the wisdom to better manage our collective
future, career prospects in environmental studies are promising. These will
certainly expose you to meaningful future job opportunities and fulfilling
careers.
I also wish to send a message of appreciation to contractors and workers who
work in various environmental projects, the wetlands project in particular. My
message to these important stakeholders is brief and simple. Our country is
confronted with numerous developmental challenges.
Amongst these challenges is the need to multiply our job creation efforts to
restore the dignity of the masses of our people who remain jobless and
hopeless. We are also confronted with the challenge of multiplying the number
of people who enjoy access to clean water. Whilst doing our splendid jobs of
protecting the environment and caring for our land, we creatively can also
contribute towards job creation and the restoration of the dignity of thousands
of our people.
We also have a duty of ensuring that even more of our communities start
enjoying access to clean water. Wetlands have been explored and used, in other
countries, as inexpensive and sustainable infrastructure for water purification
and storage.
This challenge enjoins our scientists, educators and managers in the various
government environmental projects, to also take the lead for the sake of our
future, the future of our children and the generation yet to be born. Indeed,
the protection of our environment is a shared obligation.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Gauteng
Provincial Government
2 February 2006
