Indalo Yethu, Save Tomorrow Today!
The buzz word on everybody's lips these days is "global warming". One only has to look at recent events, like the catastrophic Tsunami in 2004, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the flooding in Mozambique this year, to realize something must be done!
National Environment Week (4 - 8 June 2007) has become an annual feature on the South African calendar
with a range of important activities scheduled countrywide. The main event being World Environment Day, which will be commemorated globally on Tuesday, 5 June 2007.
Indalo Yethu is a South African initiative which aims to reinforce the role of the environmental living within the context of the country’s economic and social development. The program seeks to draw attention to how responsible environmental living is a critical ingredient as South Africa seeks to realise its stated objectives of a better life for all. More so in terms of ensuring that benefits derived can be enjoyed by present and future generations.
With 2010 on our doorstep, Southern Africa is on the brink of a "tourist boom", but at what cost? This increased tourism will have a huge impact on our already fragile ecosystems and limited resources, so the time is right to think about whether your business is being managed in a sustainable or environmentally responsible manner.
In a recent speech
Minister Of Environmental Affairs And Tourism,
Marthinus Van Schalkwyk
stated:-
"It is often said that South Africa is a microcosm of the world, with its diversity of people, its dual economy and its extremes of wealth and poverty. And this generalisation is largely true when it comes to environmental impact.
Indalo Yethu, together with many similar initiatives around the world carries a heavy responsibility and it would be easy to become paralyzed by the sheer weight of this duty. But the possibilities of success are also great and we need to keep our strengths firmly in focus as we set out to correct and redefine our relationship with the environment".
With over seven million visitors being recorded in South Africa last year, with an estimated 8% increase annually in the lead up to 2010, can South Africa's tourism industry afford to continue doing business as usual?
Do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable products instead of disposables. Buying products with minimal packaging will help to reduce waste. Get involved! Look in the newspaper to find out what your local environmental group is doing. You could help them when they do clean-ups and restore wetlands and other natural areas.
In this way, we can possibly ensure long-term sustainability of our continent and its people as a viable and attractive tourist destination!
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