World Habitat Day inspires call to action
South Africa is the 12th largest carbon emitter in the world, according to Greenpeace Africa, but Maropeng is doing its part to be environmentally sustainable in light of the United Nations’ (UN) call to action.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the global community to mobilise against threats to urban environments due to climate change.
The address was made to mark international World Habitat Day on October 3, a day initiated by the UN 25 years ago to raise awareness of the basic human right to adequate shelter, and to remind us of our collective responsibility for the environment and its conservation for future generations.
The theme for 2011 is Cities and Climate Change. According to a UN news report, Ki-moon warned that the link between urbanisation and climate change was “real and potentially deadly.” He said climate-related events could force up to 200-million people worldwide to flee their homes by 2050.
According to the UN report, Ki-moon asked that people around the world commit to the “50-50-50 challenge” – a reference to expert forecasts that, by 2050, the global population will have increased by 50 percent from 1999, while greenhouse gas emissions will have to decline by 50 percent.
This year, South Africa is to host the 17th United Nations Climate Change Conference, a platform for world delegates to discuss important issues surrounding climate change and its impact on our environment.
Maropeng is ready to help tackle climate change and will be closely monitoring the progress and outcome of the Climate Change Conference.
Says Maropeng’s Managing Director Tony Rubin, “Sustainability is an integral part of our exhibition, as well as a way of life for us all. Our belief is that we should preserve our environment for future generations and, if we do not lead by example, we cannot expect our children to.”
In South Africa you can join Greenpeace Africa in their efforts to ask government to double its renewable energy ambitions.
The Greenpeace Africa website states that South Africa has some of the world’s best energy resources but these are overlooked. Renewable energy makes perfect sense for South Africa for many reasons:
• It’s great for job creation
• Renewable energy will help tackle climate change
• Investing in renewables will jump-start new industries
• Using renewable energy will mean a clean and safe energy future
Join Greenpeace Africa and sign up to help in reducing South Africa’s carbon emissions.