The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Faith Muthambi, calls on South Africans from all walks of life to think globally and act locally as we celebrate the World Environment Day, under the theme: “Only One Earth”.

She said: “Let us reflect on the triple planetary emergency that the Earth faces, the climate is warming up too quickly for people and nature to adapt, with disproportionally devastating impact on the poor in developing countries. The recent floods that ravaged the KwaZulu-Natal province, is a case in point.”

She said acting locally would require us to anticipate such climate change-induced natural disasters and plan better. “Habitat loss due to urbanisation, human settlement, agricultural or other forms of human encroachments, such as mining operations as well as poaching threaten the survival of many species in the world. The plight of South African rhinos, elephants, certain fisheries species and many other fauna and floral species cannot be emphasised,” added Ms Muthambi.

“Similarly, pollution continues to compromise our air quality affecting millions in our own country; land, freshwater and marine pollution from many sources, especially single use plastics require us to act urgently. The way out of this ongoing dilemma is to transform our economies and societies to make them inclusive, fair and more responsive to and connected with nature” She continued.

She said the people must refrain from harming the only planet they have. She called on the people to protect the planet. “Let us begin acting on environmental pollutants at the street level today. Let us curb air pollution by doing simple things such as those who smoke must ensure that second-hand smoke is not passed onto those that do not smoke at the household level. This is thinking globally and acting locally in action,” she said.