26 Mar 2018

Chobe District Council chairperson, Councillor Paul Chabaesele says participating in the Earth Hour commemorations encouraged all around the world to take responsibility of the ecological systems.

 

Speaking during the Earth Hour commemoration in Kasane on March 24, Councillor Chabaesele said this also encouraged all to engage in dialogue and resource change that provide real solutions to environmental challenges.

 

He said while Earth Hour, commemorated once a year could not be purported to be an energy/carbon reduction, it was a symbolic action. 

 

Giving reference to a study published in 2014, he indicated that for six years in 10 countries the electricity consumption was reduced by four per cent during Earth Hour.

 

Councillor Chabaesele called on all stakeholders to act and save the planet for the future generation by not only participating in the Earth Hour, but by reducing the carbon footprints.

 

He also took opportunity to commend the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) for opening an office in Kasane, saying this was a clear sign of commitment on efforts to take care of the ecological systems.

 

Earlier on in his welcome remarks, Kasane court president, Kgosi Thuso Wasetso urged all to appreciate that failure to take care of the environment could lead to natural disasters such as diseases, famine, floods and other man-made disasters.

 

He said participating in the Erath Hour was a tiny sacrifice that could make a difference in saving the planet.

 

The DEA’s focal person for convention on Biological Diversity, Ms Kebaabetswe Keoagile explained that the Earth Hour movement was aimed at raising awareness on climate change and started in 2007 when people wanted to make their stand on climate change in Australia.

 

She said while people were not forced to switch off lights, they are encouraged to participate. 

 

Ms Keoagile explained that electricity was generated from fossil fuels such as coal and the Earth Hour reduced the usage of coal. She said fossil fuels harmed animals as they produced gases that polluted the atmosphere and also contributed to the damage of the ozone layer.

 

Ms Keoagile said animals relocated due to the impact of climate change on biodiversity and as a result there was inhabitant loss. The theme for this year’s Earth Hour was: Inter-connectedness Between Biodiversity and Climate Change.

Still at the event, participants were taught how to conserve the environment and animals through videos and presentations. The lights were switched off from 830pm-930pm as a way of observing the Earth Hour. ENDS