Climate change and its impact have the potential to reverse the development gains achieved since the dawn of democracy, says Water and Environmental Affairs Deputy Minister, Rejoice Mabudafhasi.

“We therefore believe it is important for every person in this great nation of hope to start talking about climate change and collectively come up with adaptation and mitigation solutions to respond to climate change,” the deputy minister said following a tour of the Climate Train in Polokwane on Wednesday.

The Deputy Minister held a discussion on climate change issues at the train’s on-board conference carriage with members of the community.

The discussion gave the public an opportunity to discuss the challenges experienced by women and youth in agriculture in Limpopo as a result of the changing climate.

The Climate Train, has been travelling across the country raising awareness on climate change ahead of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to be held in Durban this month.

The Climate Train has reached Polokwane and will remain in Limpopo for the next four days where members of the public will be welcomed on board the train to see exhibitions, attend workshops and educate themselves on climate change issues.

The train is expected to arrive in Johannesburg on Sunday.

“The Climate Train interactions with people in all these vast corners of South Africa help us to facilitate this national conversation about climate change,” said Mabudafhasi.

During her visit, she did her part in the fight against climate change and offset her carbon footprint by planting a tree at the Polokwane train station. She also handed over 100 trees to the city of Polokwane.