The festival, which was first held in 2005, attracts members of the global travel, cultural, filmmaking and wildlife industries by offering a forum for delegates to meet, network and negotiate with commissioning editors, distributors and producers.
“I am delighted that this [climate change] topic forms an integral part of this festival with the screening of ‘The 11th Hour' and a presentation on African solutions for climate change,” he said.
He added that if the global phenomenon was allowed to continue unabated, the potential impacts and risks of unanticipated climate variability and projected climate change could be severe.
It was critical, he said, “to successfully communicate our message to the grassroots level, to drive the issue to the top of the international agenda, and to ensure behavioural changes in households, industry and at leadership level.”
If government is to effectively manage the repercussions of climate change, it is necessary to assume a pro-active approach.
Already, various national departments, provinces and cities are refining their sector plans in line with the National Climate Change Response Strategy, said the minister.
The international community is likely to increase funding to countries using sensible, innovative and effective adaptation and response plans.
“We, in South Africa, should position ourselves to be amongst the leaders in these efforts, and to gain from this trend in a way that will yield long term benefits,” he said.
South Africa's national parks are going to be particularly hard hit by climate change, with 25 - 40% of animal species in national parks expected to be under threat.
The minister said, “In the Kruger National Park we could see more intense rainfall interspersed with possibly more extended dry spells, changes in the tree cover and grass production, [and] greater competition for water.”
Table Mountain's protected indigenous Fynbos is also under threat with a possible increase of fires and accelerated spread of alien invasive plants.
In order to preserve our magnificent heritage and environmental assets, the minister said his department would be working on adaptation measures to best protect valuable eco-systems.
He also added that the department has allocated an annual amount of R51 million to South African National Parks (SANParks) for the acquisition of land for the expansion of national parks.
The minister concluded saying, “we should be flexible and pro-active in our planning and continuously integrate the latest scientific findings and practical experience with our long term strategic framework.
He also reiterated his support for the festival and praised the founders of it, saying it will make South Africa the primary destination for discussion and conferencing on wildlife.
Article published courtesy of BuaNews
