Speech by Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, on International Biodiversity Day, Dinokeng

"Indalo Yethu, Save Tomorrow Today"

Chairperson, Mayor Seerane
Pam Yako, Director-General of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT)
Members of the Indalo Yethu Board
Honoured guests

We are here today to give life and power to Indalo Yethu which has the task of mobilising our nation in environmental awareness.

In a sense, Indalo Yethu's mission was set many ages ago right here in the cradle of humankind. It dates all the way back to when humans began to differentiate themselves from the rest of the animal kingdom and embarked on a unique course of development which involved extensive often ruthless exploitation of the earth's natural resources. The consequences of this for the survival of life on our planet are now widely known and are beginning to be appreciated at a profound level.

Indalo Yethu, together with many similar initiatives around the world carries a heavy responsibility and it would be easy to become paralysed by the sheer weight of this duty. But the possibilities of success are also great and we need to keep our strengths firmly in focus as we set out to correct and redefine our relationship with the environment.

The first of these strengths is strong leadership and clear direction. Over the past two or three years powerful leadership on the environmental debate has asserted itself across the globe. We have world political leaders, communities, top scientists and even captains of multinational industries speaking out loudly and with one voice.

The second strength is that we know what corrective steps to take and many of these actions are within our reach. It lies very largely in changing our patterns of energy consumption and shifting to advanced energy technologies for cleaner and renewable energy production in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and put the brakes on climate change.

The third strength is that the threat of environmental degradation affects everyone. Yes, it is true that the poorest populations are likely to be worst affected by the natural disasters of climate change because they do not have the means to defend themselves. But the rich and the powerful also have much to lose. So it really is a case of sink or swim together! And this may be the factor that cements political will and builds mass pressure for change.

It is often said that South Africa is a microcosm of the world, with its diversity of people, its dual economy and its extremes of wealth and poverty. And this generalisation is largely true when it comes to environmental impact.

Fortunately, we do not have to make a choice between economic development and good environmental practices. We can have both but we can't follow the same road to growth that earlier generations followed.

Now you may be wondering, if South Africans face such different environmental challenges, how can we have a single national campaign like Indalo Yethu? I believe a powerful united response through a partnership between government, the private sector and communities are not only possible but are the best path to follow.

In the first place, we all have the same basic goal even if we need to take different actions to achieve that goal. We all want to protect our environment better and therefore give our children the chance to live in a land that is safe and beautiful and provide them with the necessities of life. We want that no matter whether we are rich or poor, employers or workers. And every single one of us can help achieve this goal whether we build new housing schemes with solar electricity panels or reduce the gases pouring from our factories or collect paper and cans for recycling.

The second reason we believe one united campaign is right for South Africa is because it offers us another opportunity to strengthen the historic process of forging a single nation. I believe that the people of this country will stand together when they fully understand the threat to our land because we share a deep love of this land.

Indalo Yethu aims to get the nation to its feet by the call to action, 'save tomorrow today.' By using the word "save" we will make people aware that we need to do more and that the consequences of inaction will be fatal. By choosing the word "tomorrow" we want to make it clear that results may not be immediate but that the benefits will be enjoyed by our children and our children's children. And by using the word "today" we want to drive home the point that we cannot delay we have already waited too long and some damage will be unavoidable. It is clear that the success of this campaign will reside in achieving behaviour change.

Today, as you know, is International Biodiversity Day. And I can think of nothing better to do on this day than introduce a new species to the world: the Indalo Yethu butterfly. Its colours you will notice match the South African flag. We believe that it will become a symbol of the enlightened patriotism of our people of our determination to express our love for our land and for our children through action to save their future. We can save tomorrow if we start today. Together we can do it!

Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
22 May 2007