Mbombela - Ordinary citizens in Mpumalanga had an opportunity to learn about climate change when an MEC spoke to commuters at the Mbombela bus terminal on Friday.
Provincial Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Norman Mokoena gave the commuters leaflets as part of the "Wear Green Friday" campaign, which aims to raise awareness around climate change.
"As you are aware, the colour green symbolises the environment, and therefore we ask our people to wear anything green on Fridays - as a symbol of their commitment towards preservation of our environment," said Mokoena.
The MEC told the commuters that each one of them could contribute to a good climate at their homes. He urged them to do basic things such as switching off lights or home appliances when not in use or adopting what he termed the three R's: Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.
"In this way, we will help to conserve energy, reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions which contribute significantly towards climate change and global warming," said Mokoena.
Mokoena said the campaign was a national initiative in the run up to United Nations' COP17 (17th Conference of Parties) on Climate Change taking place in Durban from Monday, 28 November until 9 December.
"We believe that together with the public, we can save tomorrow today for the benefit of future generations. This is our mandate as enshrined in Chapter 2 Section 24 on the Bill of Rights of our country's progressive Constitution," added Mokoena.
He said if environmental assets and natural resources were not protected, future generations would suffer.
"The environmental assets and natural resources provide ecosystem goods and services we rely on for our own existence. It is our only source of life in the form of the air we breathe; it is our only source of energy in the form of the food chain," he said.
Precious Nkosi, a commuter from KaNyamazane, said the campaign was informative. "I will also inform my neighbours about climate change. I did not know that by just littering and misusing electricity I am also negatively contributing to the environment," said Nkosi. She said as from next week she would wear a green jersey or T-shit in support of the campaign.
"To me it will not just be about wearing green but it will be also about making sure that a person next to me understands the effect of climate change," she said.
Nedbank is the official sponsor of the "Wear Green Friday" campaign.
