Hon Chairperson, hon members, fellow South Africans, climate across the world is changing, and the truth is, humans are responsible.
The planet has slowly become warmer, more specifically between the years 1880 and 2012. Land and surface temperatures show an increase of approximately 1,1C and current temperatures are rising at about 0,2C per decade. While most of us have acknowledged this fact, it seems we have no will, whether personal or political, to act and start fixing it.
The biggest cause of climate change is carbon emissions, and as we continue to burn fossil fuels, the intensity of rainfalls will
increase, leading to increased floods; the sea levels will rise, leading to flooding in coastal areas; heatwaves in tropical regions will claim more lives and make humans less productive, and ultimately climate change is expected to push a 100 million more people towards poverty.
So, what does an ever-increasing warmer planet mean to all of us?
According to the Paris Agreement that was signed in December 2015 by the United Nations and 195 governments across the world, South Africa being one of them: the aim is to reduce carbon emissions and in turn limit the warming of the earth 1,5C. If this can be achieved, we will reduce the probability of droughts and risks related to water availability.
In South Africa, and especially the Northern Cape, we have seen extreme cases of drought so much so that it has now been declared a national emergency.
As the earth warms it will affect our biodiversity and ecosystems where it is estimated that 105 000 insects, plants and vertebrates will become extinct.
Have you noticed that the bee population in your area has already declined? Have you noticed that forest fires have increased as we have seen in Australia, the Amazon and here in South Africa?
As the earth warms, climate-related risks to human life will become more severe. Risks to human health, livelihoods, food security, water supply and economic growth will all increase.
We face an existential crisis which is a threat to human existence and those who will be the most affected are currently disadvantaged and current vulnerable populations on earth.
In our very unequal world there are 7,5 billion people, 1,2 billion have little or no access to electricity, about 3 billion cook on open fires, 4 million die from indoor smoke inhalation, mostly women; and these are the very same people who will be more susceptible to climate related poverty risks.
Heat related illnesses and mortality will increase, and this will affect mostly the elderly, children, women and those with chronic diseases.
Diseases like malaria will flourish in the heat. Food security is at risk because crops like maize, rice and wheat will be smaller due to droughts and water shortages.
We are currently experiencing the warmest temperature in more than
1 100 years. However, only a few of us think it will affect us personally. Even worse, the media does not talk about it, people do not talk about it and certainly it is not sufficiently discussed and debated in schools.
So, how can we break the cycle and non-complacency? Simply by talking about it, to begin with. Let's all start talking from the heart and why it matters. We all have families, children and loved ones. Let's take a moment and think about the activities we enjoy, perhaps you enjoy hiking, swimming, walking in nature. God gave us responsibility over the earth and so we need to think about our values, our daily activities and why we should care and care more about climate change.
It can no longer be business as usual.
So how do begin the process of reversing global warming? By starting small. And as hon Labuschagne said, we have a moral obligation towards our future generations.
To begin with, let's recycle more; you can save 1 100 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year by recycling your household waste.
Check your car tyres; keeping them properly inflated will improve petrol mileage and reduce carbon dioxide.
Use less hot water by taking cooler showers; that will save
226 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year.
Avoid products with a lot of packaging and you can save
544 kilograms of carbon dioxide, if you reduce your waste by only 10%.
Don't use plastic, where possible, and you certainly don't need to drink that beverage with a straw. Plant one tree a month, it will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.
Turn off electronic devices when not using them. Try to cut down on meat consumption, where possible. Don't waste food; perhaps even grow your own. Consume less and waste less.
It all starts with minimal effort such as the suggestions I have just mentioned. But collectively, we can make an exponential difference.
The challenges are profound, but they can certainly be solved. So, more importantly, let's start climate conversations. Let's speak to our children, our family members and loved ones; let's respect the earth. Let's start a movement that cares for our planet and thus preserving it for our future generations. Thank you. [Applause.]