The phrases “climate change” and “global warming” have scared, inspired and confused people worldwide in the recent past. The are many sceptics when it comes to the alarming statistics put forward by environmentalists like Al Gore, however the reality is that the world does not have infinite resources to support an increasing world population.
Yes, hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius are expensive, and “green” products have been dismissed as a passing fad to some. However, despite statistics and scientific debates, is it not preferable to live in a world where we are not reliant on environmentally damaging energy sources?
Climate change and moving towards sustainable energy solutions is a priority worldwide, especially in South Africa, where 90% of our electricity supply derives from the burning of fossil fuels like coal, which are notoriously damaging to the atmosphere. Scepticism aside, driving past one of these coal plants is proof enough of the harmful effects this combustion has on the atmosphere.
“Green” initiatives have been promulgated by government officials worldwide, with a view to introducing new sustainable energy initiatives. The South African government has also stated that importance of introducing sustainable energy initiatives. At the National Climate Change Summit in Midrand earlier this month, President Kgalema Motlanthe affirmed that climate change was a priority on the government agenda.
According to an Engineering News article, Motlanthe stated that “South Africa has committed to see greenhouse gas emissions peak between 2020 and 2025, then stabilise for a decade, before declining in absolute terms before mid-century.”
South African History Online (SAHO) is concerned about environmental awareness, as climate change reflects past decisions, both locally and globally, that have prioritized industrial development at the expense of the environment. As an academic initiative, we are passionate about establishing a comprehensive history of South Africa, but hope that through education and an understanding of the past, we can make positive decisions to preserve our future.
SAHO has therefore signed up for the Earth Hour initiative, which is taking place all over the world on Saturday, the 28 of March. This initiative aims to create awareness, by encouraging people to switch off their lights for an hour from 8.30pm. This simple action shows that you do not have to sacrifice your modern creature comforts to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
The fact is that although macro-scale changes are indeed necessary to combat escalating carbon emission, everyone can contribute to positive change by simply becoming more aware of the impact you have on your immediate environment. As Earth Hour suggests, this can be as simple as switching off your lights.
SAHO therefore encourages you to turn off your lights for an hour next Saturday night. It is a wonderful excuse to do nothing but stare at the stars, and appreciate the simplicity of life before the lightbulb.
For more information visit www.earthhour.org, and sign up online to support this global initiative. If you would like to take your involvement a step further, you can organise an Earth Hour event in your area, and post up pictures and videos online on Flickr and Youtube to be viewed worldwide.
March 20, 2009
Activism, Development, Featured