23/01/2020
"Climate change data indicates that South Africa is showing signs of heating at twice the global average. According to The National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, “there is evidence that extreme weather events in South Africa are increasing, with heatwave conditions found to be more likely, dry spell durations lengthening slightly and rainfall intensity increasing.”
This crisis will affect every aspect of our lives. The economy, national security, energy and telecommunications infrastructure may collapse, food and water security are under threat, climate refugees are increasing and economically marginalised communities will suffer the most as things break down.
HOW IS OUR GOVERNMENT RESPONDING TO THE EMERGENCY OF EMERGENCIES?
The global scientific community has warned us that we have just 11 years in which to halve our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, or face a worldwide climate catastrophe.
Our government is not treating this as an emergency. While it acknowledges the need to move to a “low carbon economy”, its policy is:
to still increase emissions up until 2025
stabilise them at these levels until 2035
and then gradually start decreasing them.
Our government is still heavily committed to coal mining and fossil fuel extraction despite the fact that it is possible to transition to renewable energy alternatives that will create better employment opportunities for our people. We have very little time to dramatically change course.
Furthermore, we need our government to mobilise all necessary resources to deal with the effects of the emergency, which are already becoming manifest.
Climate change aggravated drought conditions are ravaging parts of our country. Our water supply systems are under-functioning badly and we have seen municipalities running out of water. We need to see our government proactively taking all steps possible to ensure water supply to our people.
We are seeing flooding increase as the weather becomes more extreme. We need to see the government putting solid disaster management plans in place, as well as infrastructure that can mitigate the damage caused by flooding.
WE WILL BE STANDING OUTSIDE THE GAUTENG LEGISLATURE EVERY FRIDAY UNTIL GOVERNMENT RESPONDS
WHO IS EXTINCTION REBELLION?
Extinction Rebellion is an international mass movement of movements consisting of volunteers committed to a liveable planet and future. We are non-violent but understand that we may need to create disruption to exert pressure.
We unify for system change and collaborate to protect humanity and nature in a world that is in an ecological and social crisis.
We have a moral duty to stand up and demand change until those that have the power to take action, tell the truth and take the action.
EXTINCTION REBELLION DEMANDS
DEMAND 1: TELL THE TRUTH
The government and the media must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
DEMAND 2: ACT NOW
The government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2025. They must do this through a Just Transition that protects workers and vulnerable people.
DEMAND 3: BEYOND POLITICS
The government must create and be bound by the decisions of a diverse and representative citizens assembly on climate and ecological justice."
