Mother Earth Day, 22 April 2014
Today is International Mother Earth Day. This year’s Mother Earth Day focuses on Green Cities; mobilizing billions of people to create a sustainable, healthy environment by greening communities worldwide.
Every year on 22 April, over a billion people in 190 countries take action for Earth Day. People plant trees and clean up their communities – all on behalf of the environment.
Earth Day 2014 will focus on the unique environmental challenges of our time. As the world’s population migrates to cities and the effects of climate change becomes increasingly clear, the need to create sustainable communities is more important than ever. With smart investments in sustainable technology, forward-thinking public policy and an educated and active public, we can transform our cities and forge a sustainable future. Nothing is more powerful than the collective action of a billion people.
What is the South African Government doing to protect our environment?
The South African Government has set aside R800 million to create the Green Fund. The Green Fund is responsible for laying the basis for South Africa to make the transition to a low carbon, resource efficient and climate resilient community. Through the Green Fund, projects (approved by the Development Bank of South Africa) that support a sustainable future for South Africa can be funded.
So far, the Green Fund has boosted the productivity and sustainability of two KwaZulu-Natal community-owned Game Reserves with a R22-million grant. The Fund has also benefited a waste beneficiation centre in Hammersdale, KZN.
If you would like to find out more, read here.
What can you do to ensure a sustainable future?
Reduce your use of natural resources like water.
Reuse items you would normally throw out, like empty wine bottles or coffee canisters.
Recycle your trash that cannot be reused into different bins and have it collected by a recycling agency or take it to a drop off point.
Have a look at all the recycling options available on Junk Mail!
