The role of young people in sustainable development goals to reduce carbon emissions came under the spotlight at the African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum at the CSIR International Convention Centre. File picture: Supplied The role of young people in sustainable development goals to reduce carbon emissions came under the spotlight at the African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum at the CSIR International Convention Centre. File picture: Supplied
Pretoria - Young people should seize opportunities in the green economy by coming up with “energy-efficient” ways of doing business.
The role of young people in sustainable development goals to reduce carbon emissions came under the spotlight at the African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum at the CSIR International Convention Centre yesterday.
At a session titled “Youth and Green Economy”, speakers encouraged young people to think creatively on how to turn waste into raw material for business.
Green economy was explained as a way of reducing the impact of climate change through businesses not only profit-driven, but also conscious about social and environmental effects.
Informal settlements were mentioned as being among the contributing factors to climate change.
People living in these settlements are faced with the lack of proper infrastructure, water leakages, waste materials and illegal dumping sites.
Environmental problems such as waste products and leaking pipes in the informal settlements were identified as having the potential to be exploited for business by young people.
Courtney Gehle, a geography student at the University of Pretoria, said education should be used as an instrument to prepare young people for the green economy.
“The best way is just to start, no matter how small your business may be. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a step,” she said, sharing her journey starting Greenline, an organisation which focuses on climate change and environmental awareness campaigns.
Dr Keoagile Modisakeng, of the Innovation Hub, said there were few young people who took advantage of opportunities in the green economy.
He said the doors at Innovation Hub were always open for young people who wanted to pitch creative business ideas. Young people would be assisted by the hub in terms of business training.
Modisakeng said: “We have to teach our people that it is not just about money, but the green lifestyle too.”
Taahir Chagan, environmental activist at 350Africa.org, said the destiny of young people was vested in their hands.
According to him, the present generation of young people should take a leaf out of the books of those who led the June 16, 1976, uprising and the #FeesMustFall movement.
He said the public continues to pile pressure on authorities to drive them towards the policy pathways they desired.
Nicholas Funda, representative of SANParks Voluntary Rangers, talked about the value of biodiversity with a focus on rhino poaching.
He lamented the fact that poaching could result in the extinction of the rhino species in the country.
According to him, rangers were doing all they could to fight poaching, adding that poachers who were caught were charged with trespassing and other penalties under the law. However, there were often challenges with the police’s investigations and the justice system when it came to prosecution.
Meanwhile, the mayors from the 24 African capital cities visited the City of Tshwane’s sustainability projects.
The tour took them to Tshwane Food and Energy Centre in Bronkhorstspruit the biogas plant also in the area, Kwaggasrand Material Recovery Facility, Freedom Park, Freedom Statues in Fountains, and the Union Buildings, among others.
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