The Eastern Cape MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sakhumzi Somyo will lead Environmental Month celebrations in Graaff - Reinet on Thursday, 26 June 2014.
The DEDEAT in partnership with Camdeboo Local Municipality in Cacadu District will host the Provincial Environmental Month Celebrations.
The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘’International Year of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS)’’ and the slogan ‘’Raise your voice, not the sea level.’’
While World Environment Day is commemorated on 5 June annually, June has been declared as national environment month in South Africa. The World Environment Day 2014 theme was adopted as the theme for national Environment month and focuses on Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and their development challenges and successes. Small islands are the most susceptible to natural and environmental disasters, climate change and sea – level rise.
World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 at the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment with the aim of becoming one of the main vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and to encourage positive environmental action.
In South Africa, coastal human settlements are also affected by the increase in sea-level due to climate change. The 3, 650 km coastline is increasingly becoming vulnerable to storm surges, coastal erosion, sea level rise and extreme weather events such as flooding, that may result in the loss of coastal infrastructure.
Media is invited to attend as follows:
Date: Thursday, 26 June 2014
Time: 09h00 to 14h00
Venue: Graaff – Reinet Town Hall, Camdeboo Local Municipality
TO RSVP please call:
Ms Noncedo Mangcotywa
Tel: 041 605 7090
Cell: 071 884 2910
E-mail: noncedo.mangcotywa@dedea.gov.za
Enquiries:
Sixolile Makaula
Communications Manager
Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT)
Tel: 043 605 7117
Cell: 072 751 5001
E-mail: sixolile.makaula@dedea.gov.za
