Speech on Environmental Outlook by Gauteng MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Khabisi Mosunkutu

Programme director
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mme Rejoice Mabudafhasi
Government officials from all spheres of government
Leaders of the National Youth Commission
Invited guests
Ladies and gentlemen:

It is a pleasure and an honour to participate in this important event, an event that should further contribute to the development and sustenance of our country's fledgling democratic dispensation. I wish, from the outset, to pay tribute to the organisers of this event and the awakened youth of our country.

We are gathered here, I believe, to reflect on issues that, if not properly taken care of, could reduce our young democracy to an empty shell. To briefly reflect on some of the issues that could easily derail our fledging democracy, I perhaps should start off by noting that less than three minutes have lapsed since I stood up to read this brief message of support.

During this brief period:

* well over 360 000 tons of carbon has been released into the atmosphere; and
* more than 21 420 tons of toxic waste has already been produced.

These staggering statistics are gleaned from a report, called 'The environment in 10 seconds' and was prepared by the United Nations' Environment Programme (UNEP).

Another report, submitted to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change during February 2007, shows that:

* The world's average surface temperature has increased by around 0,74 dgrees C over the past 100 years (1906 to 2005). The report further warns that an increase of 0,2 degrees C is projected for each of the next two decades.

* The report states that the duration and intensity of drought has increased over wider areas since the 1970s, particularly in the tropics and subtropics. The Sahel, the Mediterranean, Southern Africa and parts of southern Asia have already become drier during the 20th century.

* The account further shows that the number of tropical cyclones (typhoons and hurricanes) per year is projected to decline. However, the intensity of these storms is expected to increase, with higher peak wind speeds and more intense precipitation, due to warmer ocean waters. Our contribution to this gloom is unflattering.

* Thirty-four percent of our terrestrial ecosystems are under threat, with five percent listed as critically endangered.

* Eighty-two percent of our 120 rivers are also under threat, with 34 percent critical endangered; and

* Three of our 13 estuary biodiversity are critically endangered.

This analysis was given during 2005, by South Africa's National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment.

This information from researchers of repute, paints a clear picture that shows the future that we all yearn for is under serious threat. In this regard, we should recall that the environment is the major provider of the basic material for a good life. From the environment, we derive provisioning services such as food and water. We also obtain from the environment regulatory services that temper climate, floods and disease. Graciously, the environment freely provides us with cultural services.

The scientific analysis that I earlier presented clearly suggests that the basic material to translate our democracy into material benefits for more of our people is under serious threat. Naturally, and as is the case in most countries, the youth is called upon to be in the forefront of the struggle to defend common national values. Similarly, the youth of our country, who have been born free, have a duty to defend the democracy that their parents shed blood in order to attain. This means defending not only the democratic values and goals that their government is committed to but also means ensuring that the basic material for a good life, the environment, is not sacrificed due to ignorance or self-centred goals, especially those recklessly pursued by big business.

Growing under a fledgling democratic dispensation, with good access to education, the youth of South Africa has a duty to ensure that illiteracy is obliterated in our country. Able to freely access basic education, the youth has a duty to banish the notion of skills scarcity.

The battle to ensure that we replicate the material benefits of our democracy to benefit all our people rests on the shoulders of our youth. In this major battle, the protection of the environment is a terrain we dare not lose sight of. The civilisation that we all want will not be possible in a polluted and otherwise damaged environment.

In conclusion, I wish to welcome you. May you have fruitful discussions.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Gauteng Provincial Government
29 October 2007