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"In his annual State of the Nation address this evening, President Zuma showed a total disregard for sustainable energy by asking citizens to save energy until the two coal-fired powerstations ie Medupi and Kusile come onboard in two years time.
These two coal plants will increase SA's emmissions - currently the world's 12th largest emitter I by 10%N with resultant negative effects on South Africans' health, livelihood and future. This is not a real or fair commitment for the country considering that its declared internationally that it would be lowering its greenhouse gas emmissions.
Listening to the address this evening we would have hoped to see a clearer and more practical interpretation of this rhetoric. Even more worrying was the president's reference to COP 17 as a "huge success and historic event equal to when the Kyoto Protocol was adopted". In reality the Durban Mandate is weak and does not commit to emissions reductions targets necessary to deal with runaway climate change. The State of Union Address, preceded by the 2011 COP 17 goes beyond cameras and events management: its about a fundamental change in the way we see, plan and roll-out a sustainable energy future for all South Africans.
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