Re-use and recycle, says minister
AS SA enters national environment month, the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, has encouraged all citizens to make environmentally friendly choices by reducing, re-using, and recycling.
This year’s environment month recognises the significance of a green economy and is aimed at showcasing the work that the country is doing to preserve the environment and create job opportunities.
Celebrations started on Tuesday, which was World Environment Day.
Speaking from Mangaung in the Free State, Molewa said the environment was “under siege from overutilisation”.
“In South Africa, we have taken a decision to dedicate June as national environment month and mobilise all three spheres of government – the private sector, NGOs and the citizens – to implement integrated interventions to protect the environment for our and future generations’ sake,” she said.
World Environment Day was started by the UN in 1972 and is the most widely celebrated global day for environmental action.
According to the UN Environment Programme, a green economy would bring many advantages, including reduced carbon emissions, energy and resource efficiency, and sustainable economic growth.
“These advantages would have the potential to create jobs across many sectors of the economy,” said Molewa.