05/06/2005:"The
21 st Century marks the first point in human
history that the majority of the world's
people will be living in cities," said
Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism, speaking on World Environment
Day on Sunday. The Minister was also launching
South Africa 's celebrations of National
Environment Week.
The United Nations General Assembly established
World Environment Day in 1972 to mark the
opening of the Stockholm Conference on the
Human Environment. This conference resulted
in the establishment of the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), through which
concerns for the environment are addressed
by the international community.
"Cities consume more than 75% of our
global resources, and it is therefore very
appropriate that UNEP has chosen ' Green
Cities ' as the international theme for
World Environment Day this year," said
Minister Van Schalkwyk. "This is also
the ten year anniversary of Pretoria 's
hosting of the international World Environment
Day celebrations in 1995. Our national theme
for the week is 'Our environment belongs
to all who live in it' and echoes another
anniversary – that of the Freedom Charter."
"Our celebrations this week will emphasise
the South African approach to environmental
concerns," said the Minister. "This
approach places people at the centre of
the environmental equation, and takes the
view that protecting and promoting the interests
of people and the interests of the environment
are one and the same battle."
Minister Van Schalkwyk will on Monday,
in Boipatong, launch the first in a series
of countrywide Clean Air Imbizo meetings
to engage with the communities worst-affected
by air pollution. "Ensuring Green Cities
and the ownership of our environment by
all communities means dealing with the damage
caused by urban development," said
the Minister.
On Wednesday there will be a debate in
the National Assembly on the subject of
National Environment week, with a special
emphasis on climate change and the Kyoto
Protocol. The Minister is also expected
this week to formally empower the first
group of Environmental Management Inspectors
– the so-called 'Green Scorpions'.
The Deputy Minster of Environmental Affairs
and Tourism, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, is today
celebrating the launch of the week in the
Makuleke community in Limpopo which is regarded
as a 'beacon of hope' for land restitution
in the country. The Makuleke community story
demonstrates the results of a successful
partnership between community and business.
This further entrenches the concept of people
and parks, whereby land restitution happens
within a conservation area.
Speaking about the importance of National
Environment Week the Deputy Minister said
"Within the context of the celebration
of the Freedom Charter it is important that
our communities should start to take ownership
of the environment and ensure that they
partner with government in pursuing a vision
of a clean and healthy environment."
She added that "Such partnerships must
include other stakeholders like business
to ensure that all derive real benefits
from our environment".
