Durban - Not even rainy weather could dampen government's ten day countdown celebrations to the COP17 at Wadley Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.
Hundreds of people turned out to the stadium to enjoy music by top DJs and musicians throughout the day. Government officials arrived in the afternoon to address the crowds about climate change and the direct impact on communities in the province.
Addressing the youth, who mainly made up the crowd, Premier Zweli Mkhize warned that they will grow older to experience climate changes if the serious issue was not dealt with immediately.
Mkhize said the rising temperatures are already translating to infections in humans, plants and animals.
"The conference aims to discuss a global action that ensure that temperature increase from greenhouse gas emissions are kept below two degrees Celsius, anything above this will result in dangerous climate change effects that could undermine efforts to eradicate poverty and under development," said Mkhize.
The premier said South Africa takes its role very seriously to address climate change. "This is the reason that we have been currently working on national climate change legislation aimed at finding solutions to climatic challenges faced by our country... there are so many thing that we as individuals can do to help preserve the environment, that should in fact come as second nature to us," said Mkhize.
South Africans, though, still have to be educated on the little steps that can be taken towards minimising the effects of climate change, according to Mkhize.
The crowd was urged to take the information on climate change back to their communities and spread the message of protecting the environment as wide as possible.
"We rely on you to bring about behavioural change not only among your peers but among adults who are have over the years largely contributed to the degradation of our environment," said Mkhize.
People were asked to do simple things that can help with climate change like planting trees, using public transport, saving energy and recycling.
uMgungundlovu district mayor Yusuf Bhamjee told BuaNews that more education campaigns would continue after the end of COP17.
"District municipalities with its family of mayors have embarked on awareness programs to empower councillors and community at large on the need for creating awareness on the ills of climate change. We are concerned that projections of flood which will result in increasing cholera infections will bring lots of hardship to our people," said Bhamjee.
Meanwhile, Zuayda Alli, a grade nine learner from Caluza, said the event helped her understand climate change better.
"I have an idea of what global warming is because there have been talks about climate change at my school but not much detail. Being here today, I learnt more. If we don't look after our planet this could be a disaster very soon," said Zuayda.
Another community member Samekelisiwe Ngubane got more acquainted with climate change issues at church. She attended the event because she wanted to learn more and also listen to some of the artists.
"We know how bad the situation is, this heat can't be normal. I know a bit about climate change and in school we are taught about recycling. We are given bags to bring our waste to recycle at school," said Ngubane.
Salik Anisa has been selected to attend a youth event at COP17 and is extremely excited.
"I am interested in helping save the environment, that's the reason for me being here. I heard about COP17 on the tv and radio, and was selected at school to go to the ICC," said Salik.
