Environment and Conservation

Environmental issues impact on health, sanitation, water, education and broader economic growth. A healthy planet provides the life-support systems and natural resources which we depend on to survive. Development at the cost of the environment is not sustainable so action is needed now, beyond legislation, to preserve animal species, the water supply and plant life. Innovative projects are needed to address poverty, while paying heed to environmental concerns. Such projects can promote job creation and raise awareness of the limited resources in our country while conserving the environment.

Climate change is the biggest issue facing the planet today. Unless its negative impacts, which vary from rising temperatures to the depletion of natural resources, are addressed, we will not be able to alleviate poverty and injustice. Education, health and broader development all depend on the conservation of our planet. The South African Constitution states that all South Africans have the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being and guarantees environmental protection for the benefit of present and future generations. South Africa is one of the few countries in the world that includes such progressive environmental rights in its constitution. While this is welcomed, along with the many laws and policies in effect, implementation issues remain a challenge. Constraints include lack of financing, low priority status of environmental issues compared with other developmental challenges and lack of skills and expertise.

The current situation

International

• More than 1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water.
• The World Bank estimates that even a one-metre rise in sea levels would turn at least 56 million people in the developing world into refugees.
• Between 1990 and 2005, the global surface of forests was reduced by 1.3 million square kilometres.
• Deforestation contributes about one-fifth of total greenhouse gas emissions.
• A third of the developing world’s population – 1.6 billion people – do not have access to modern energy and rely on carbon-emitting biomass and fossil-fuels.
• Half the world’s fish catch is caught in less than 10% of the oceans.
• In 2007 only 42% of rural people in Sub- Saharan Africa had access to clean water, and 63% of the entire population lacked access to basic sanitation facilities.
• Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change. It is prone to both droughts and flooding, with a high population growth rate and reliant on natural resources to support livelihoods.
• Activities to mitigate environmental effects and promote conservation are taking hold. Recycling, waste management and environmentally sustainable business practices are all part of the ‘green’ movement.

South Africa

• The third most biologically diverse country in the world.
• Occupies only 2% of the world’s surface, but contains 10% of the world’s plant species.
• 82% of plant and animal species in South African river systems, and 77% of those in estuaries are threatened.
• 34% of terrestrial ecosystems fall within the vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered categories.
• More than nine million people still do not have access to potable water within 200 metres of their homes.
• It has been conservatively estimated that demand for freshwater will exceed availability by 2025.
• The country’s energy supply is primarily from coal (93%). As a result South Africa is one of the world’s top emitters of CO² on a per capita basis, with greater emissions than China, Brazil, India or the European Union.
• South Africa has the highest known concentration of threatened plants and the highest extinction estimates in the world.
• South Africa is well placed to develop and implement solar, wind or biogas energy; however, alternative energy has not yet played a significant role.

SASIX considers investment in projects that:

• Develop local leadership capacity for conservation action.
• Empower communities to generate livelihoods through viable projects in the sustainable harvesting of natural resources, organic food growing, nature-based tourism and community-based conservation.
• Raise awareness of environmental issues and conservation practices.
• Promote recycling, waste management and creative ideas to preserve the environment.
• Support and involve schools and communities in greening programmes with water-wise indigenous plant species, vegetable gardening and permaculture.
• Support environmental education and training programmes as part of the national curriculum.
• Mainstream conservation activities into existing development and environmental planning initiatives.
• Enlist political commitment and leadership on pressing environmental and conservation issues.
• Promote the protection of animals and wildlife species.
• Use waterwise management techniques such as catchments.