Hon Speaker, it is clear that the world is currently confronted with a number of complex and urgent challenges. An economic crisis, intractable conflicts, resource depletion and lifting 2 billion people out of poverty are all challenges we have to face head-on. Unfortunately, however, climate change will exacerbate all of these problems and will put to waste all of our efforts at resolving them.
The reality that the international community has to accept is that, unlike our global economy, the climate will not respond to short-term stimulus packages, nor will it take notice of positive market sentiment. Once a certain level of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere is crossed, runaway climate change will kick in and there will be nothing any of us can do to stop it. All of our noble sentiments, international negotiations and inspiring speeches will be disregarded by our changing climate and it will show no mercy, nor morality, in its devastation. Poor and vulnerable communities are already starting to feel its impacts regardless of the fact that it is wealthy countries that bear primary responsibility for causing climate change.
But now is not the time for blame. The climate simply cannot afford a global stalemate in the Copenhagen negotiations with both sides using each other's inaction as an excuse to do nothing. Industrialised countries must take on reduction targets of nothing less than 25% to 40% by 2012, and the electorates of those countries must demand this of their negotiators.
In addition, financial and technical resources must be provided for developing countries to employ clean technologies. High emitting developing countries - and South Africa unfortunately falls into this group - must also live up to their end of the bargain by agreeing to put in place low carbon action plans in time for the new treaty to be put in place. The ID, therefore, calls upon President Zuma to lead a delegation of African heads of state to Copenhagen to ensure that such an agreement is reached.
A global agreement, however, will not be enough. It must be followed by strong actions at national, local and personal level. As hon Manuel said on Tuesday, all of us in this House are part of the elite and we need to show solidarity with the poor in the world by making changes to our own consumption habits. We are all part of the problem, but now is the time for us to become part of the solution.
Hon Speaker, I know that my time has expired; I just hope it hasn't for humanity. I thank you. [Applause.]