National Environment Month 2014 | Western Cape Government

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National Environment Month 2014

4 June 2014

What is National Environment Month?

June is National Environment Month. South Africa, along with the rest of the world also celebrates World Environment Day on Thursday 5 June 2014.

The United Nations has selected 2014 as the year of the Small Island Developing States. This year’s World Environment Day will focus on the importance of climate change awareness and the effect it has on the state of our environment, especially at-risk islands.  The slogan for this year’s awareness campaign is “Raise your voice, not the sea level”.

This slogan is particularly important for South Africa, which has a coastline that stretches for more than 3 600km, with plenty of low lying areas vulnerable to irregular weather. If we don’t take care and make simple every day changes, we might find ourselves in crisis.

World Environment Day was first launched in 1972 by the United Nations, to create awareness and allow ordinary people around the world to take action and make simple changes, to preserve our natural environment.

The National Department of Environmental Affairs will focus on three key dates this month, namely: World Environment Day on 5 June, World Oceans Day on 8 June, and World Day to Combat Desertification on 17 June 2014.

What is the Western Cape Government Doing?

In 2012, the Western Cape Government launched the 110% Green Initiative. Premier Helen Zille highlighted the importance of linking environmental preservation and economic growth to ensure a sustainable future. The initiative is in partnership with private sector companies, who are pioneering the green revolution in the Western Cape.

The Western Cape Government's Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning celebrates World Environment Day 2014, by hosting a three day Environmental Education Programme; “Marine Education Programme Goes Rural” from the 4 – 6 June 2014, targeting different Primary Schools in the Central Karoo, Laingsburg area.
 
The aim is to reach under-resourced schools with a fully equipped mobile aquarium facility, offering the children an unforgettable marine education experience, with live marine animals. This education programme is a collaboration between the Western Cape Government's Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, the Western Cape Education Department (Central Karoo), the National Department of Environmental Affairs (Local Government Support) and the Two Oceans Aquarium.
 

The Western Cape is fortunate to have an abundance of natural beauty, with both the sea and mountain range right on our doorstep. It is the duty of every citizen to preserve this beauty for generations to come.

What Are Some of the Things You Can Do?

  • Ask yourself, do I need to print this?
  • If you do need to print something, print on both sides of the paper.
  • Instead of throwing paper that has been printed on one side only away, re-use the blank side as memo paper.
  • Start a recycling initiative in your unit.
  • Turn off all computers, printers and office corridor lights when you have finished work for the day.
  • Remove all charges from the socket when they are not in use.
  • Replace incandescent lights with energy-saving LEDs or compact fluorescent lamps.

Have a look at some of the other ways you can make a positive impact:

Never think that your small contribution is insignificant. 

The Western Cape Government  calls on citizens to commit to the green economy, act on their commitment and make an impact.

Sources: United Nations Environment ProgrammeNational Department of Environmental Affairs110% Green ( Green living 2)