Push the next government – whoever it is – to take the current crises seriously. Sign the petition!
May 29, the date for the SA general elections is drawing even closer. For us, this means concerns over the multidimensional crisis we find ourselves in are higher than ever.
Think back to day-to-day life, be it load shedding, the loss of our economic rights, dealing with the effects of the climate crisis or job insecurity, all these issues stem from a climate-stressed economy. The clear solutions lie in a more ambitious climate policy, not less.
Speaking up for climate action will force politicians from all parties to take these issues seriously.
A vote for the climate is a vote to fix what’s wrong with South Africa.
Supporting improved climate and energy policies in South Africa means a future where South Africans breathe easier in every sense of the word!
How does a vote for clean energy and the climate agenda improve everyday South African life?
1- Energy Security
Load shedding schedules on phone applications should not be the norm.
Divesting from coal and allowing for the integration of renewable energy into the grid will reduce the mental toll that worrying about daily blackouts causes as well as the cost of electricity.
It’s time to say goodbye to the fossil fuel-dependent energy systems of the 19th and 20th centuries and embrace a renewable energy future.
How Can We All Create An Energy-Secure Future?
- By challenging the biggest fossil fuel companies in the world like Shell and Total to stop and divest from oil exploration projects in our oceans and land. Currently, TotalEnergies is causing a wave of destruction across the African continent with countries like South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique being most affected.
- By partnering with allied individuals and organisations working to power their own communities and schools with renewable energy through programmes like Community Energy Accelerator and Common Power.
- By confronting the utility companies (ESKOM) currently blocking our renewable energy future, and asking them to embrace innovation or at least get out of the way.
Ask your SA National Assembly and Government candidates to act now!
2- Cleaner Air
Our latest report, titled “Major Air Polluters in Africa Unmasked”, has shown that South Africa is a major air polluter on the continent. Nine of the continent’s largest nitrogen dioxide point sources are all thermal power stations in South Africa.
In addition to this, two of the world‘s ten largest SO2 (sulphur dioxide) emission hotspots identified are also in South Africa.
The air we breathe is toxic and the most vulnerable among us suffer. What’s causing this? You guessed it, emissions from coal power plants.
We have staged non-violent protests against Eskom, Sasol, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) to demand a transition to renewable energy but we can do more.
We need to force politicians to act.
How Can We All Build a Future of Improved Air Quality?
- By demanding from the incoming government that all current power stations meet global air quality standards
- By decommissioning all coal plants that have reached their shelf-life by the end of 2025.
- We also need to demand the opening up of the grid to renewable providers so that 50% of SA’s energy generation is provided by clean, renewable energy like wind and solar by 2030.
3- An End To The Unemployment Crisis
The unemployment rate is the highest recorded since 2008. Without a doubt, the load-shedding crisis is exacerbating the youth unemployment crisis.
How Can We All Build a Job-Secure Future?
- We are calling on the incoming South African government to fast-track a just transition to renewable energy. South Africa’s youth can not continue to wait for jobs to arrive; they need decent employment opportunities to be created now. Acting on climate change and the energy crisis would mean big public investments in renewable energy. This also means more jobs!
- Fossil fuels need to become a thing of the past. A Just Transition is the solution. This means moving to a more sustainable economy in a way that’s fair to everyone – including people working in polluting industries. No new oil and gas and no more unjust profits for fossil fuel bosses. Workers in polluting industries who often work difficult and dangerous jobs must be supported into good green jobs. Many of the skills are transferable, so these workers could be quickly retrained to work in renewable energy sectors.
4- Stable Economy
When load-shedding occurs, many of us lose an entire day or even days of progress on work. Without consistent electricity, businesses struggle to meet customer demand. This reduction in productivity is leading to economic losses for the country.
The government has been actively blocking renewables. With the support of renewables, our economy would flourish. How do you ask?
Renewable energy not only provides economic benefits such as job creation, sustainable income, cost reduction, and energy independence for communities but also plays a crucial role in enabling development and infrastructure.
Access to reliable, affordable energy is vital for the economic progress and advancement of every community. Renewable energy has proven to be a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional energy sources.
We call on the public to seize the moment of the 2024 election to urge SA’s future leadership to free itself from fossil fuel company interests.
5- Better Health
Coal is killing us. South Durban, home to more than 250,000 people, has historically been a high pollution zone in South Africa.
Knock-on effect of poor health due to air pollution
The evidence for adverse health outcomes and air pollution is well established. South Durban communities have contributed living case studies for this evidence base: researchers have documented pollutant-related impacts on acute lung outcomes, including symptoms, lung function and emergency health service usage.
Of concern is the evidence of neurocognitive effects related to exposure to pollutants, such as metals and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: evidence for loss in intelligence quotient (IQ) points, learning ability, attention span and concentration in children are seen. Unfortunately, many of these outcomes are subtle at a population level, but potentially substantial at an individual level.
We Have The Answers, What Is Lacking Is Political Will
The incoming government must champion transparent and inclusive governance that is accountable to all citizens, prioritising our collective rights to social, economic, cultural, and environmental well-being!
After decades of effective campaigning, we know that we can’t leave the destiny of life on Earth up to governments or corporations. It is everyday people getting involved and taking action that bends the trajectory of history.
No matter the outcome of this election, our Greenpeace Africa movement will be pushing political representatives from the outside.
The shape of the next SA government will influence whether we allow fossil fuel exploration or how we reach 100% clean energy. They’ll be responding to how communities cope in the next flood, wildfire, cyclone or drought, made more severe and damaging by the climate crisis.
Join us in this fight for our lives. Sign the petition.
SIGN THE PETITION