11 May, Johannesburg – Today, while responding to questions in the National Assembly on South Africa’s energy crisis and the just transition, President Ramaphosa remarked that South Africa is not being forced to transition quickly away from coal. In response, Greenpeace Africa Climate and Energy Campaigner Nhlanhla Sibisi said:
“The science is clear: we are in a climate crisis. We only need to look as recently as Tropical Cyclone Freddy to see the impacts on human life. Equally clear is the role that coal has played in landing South Africa in its current energy crisis.
“The President’s remarks do not inspire hope that the South African government is still taking these issues seriously. Both the climate and electricity crises share the same solution: a just transition to renewable energy. It needs to happen in South Africa, and it needs to happen without unnecessary delay. There is no question about this.
“Greenpeace Africa implores the President and the South African government as a whole to take the decisive action needed to position South Africa as a continental leader, charting a new pathway to development that is powered by renewable energy and that puts the dignity and safety of Africans at its core,” ended Sibisi.
ENDS
Contact details
Greenpeace Africa Press Desk: [email protected]
Chris Vlavianos, Greenpeace Africa Communications Officer: +27798837036, [email protected]
Discussion
Fossil fuels come in three forms, namely oil, gas and coal. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the mid-eighteenth century they have been the main driver of the modernisation and industrialisation of human societies, dominating their energy institutions and invigorating their economic and cultural civilisations. Most of their (human societies) energy sources come from fossil fuels and most of them heavily rely on their exports (the exports of fossil fuels) to sustain the livelihoods of their common citizens and to build their economic power and prosperity, and this is especially true if you think of the advanced countries of the West and East Asia. This is one of the reasons why they have become important commodities for many countries around the world today and why their consumption has been increasing over the years. However, most studies have shown that they have also caused an enormous damage to human health – and also to the environment by increasing the earth’s temperature, causing many droughts, heat waves, and floods and making it very hard for governments to achieve their millennial goals relating to climate change. Hence, the call all around the world today for governments and their countries to make their quick transition from fossil fuels to sustainable and renewable energy sources.