Deputy Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, hon members and guests, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ended with no clear path to a treaty with binding commitments. This means that we are gambling with the very future of humanity.
On the bright side, the agreement on technology development and transfer in support of mitigation and adaptation is a positive development. Cope believes that South Africa should take full advantage of this acquisition of new technology.
Furthermore the department must provide Parliament with details of South Africa's reduction, mitigation and adaptation strategies on a regular basis.
Cope ondersteun ten sterkste die voorbehoue ontwikkeling deur korrekte kordinasie van omgewingsbestuur. Ons ekologiese gebiede en siklusse asook ons biodiversiteit moet ernstig aandag kry, voordat dit te laat is.
Cope versoek dat 'n meer omvattende, spesifieke benadering aangeneem moet word. Verder wil Cope weet wat gedoen word oor ons kwesbare land ekostelsel. Boere veroorsaak ernstige probleme, want hulle is te naby aan rivieroewers, gebruik voermetodes wat veroorsaak dat miljoene ton bogrond wegwaai of wegspoel en laat chemikalie toe om in ons waterstelsels te spoel. Minister, ek wil nou ook die volgende punt aanraak, wat noodsaaklik is vir ons oorlewing. Dit is varswater. Die probleem van afbrekende varswaterbronne is 'n struikelblok vir Suid-Afrika en nog meer, 'n massabesoedeling. Hierdie departement het nog niks gedoen om hierdie ernstige kwessie aan te spreek nie.
Die tweede groot probleem wat deur huishoudelike produkte veroorsaak word, is die vryvloeiing van fosfor en skoonmaakmiddels in ons riviere en dreine. Dit lei tot eutrofikasie in ons oseane wat rooigety, sowel as die dood van miljoene visse veroorsaak. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Cope strongly supports sustainable development through correct co- ordination of environmental management. Our ecological areas and cycles as well as our biodiversity need urgent attention, before it is too late.
Cope would like to appeal for the adoption of a more comprehensive, specific approach. Moreover, Cope would also like to know what is being done with regard to our vulnerable land ecosystem. The farmers are causing serious problems, because they are too close too riverbanks, use feeding methods that result in millions of tons of topsoil being blown away or washed away, and allow chemicals to flow into our water system.
Minister, I would also like to touch on the following topic, which is essential for our survival. That is fresh water. The problem of deteriorating sources of fresh water is an obstacle for South Africa and, moreover, it is large-scale pollution. This department hasn't done anything yet to address this serious issue.
The second major problem, which is brought about by domestic products, is the unchecked flow of phosphorus and cleansing agents into our rivers and drains. This leads to eutrophication of our oceans, resulting in red tides as well as the death of millions of fish.]
Minister, is the issue of a water price increase in the pipeline or not, and, if so, what will the price increase be? Can you settle this matter, once and for all?
This brings me to the second point, namely sewerage. Reports suggest that this is a serious national problem. It has been estimated that R125 million would be needed to improve the sewerage system. What will happen if the money is not available? Is there a plan B?
Ek glo dat ons onsself in 'n baie moeilike situasie bevind. Ons bestaan en ons voortbestaan hang af van hoe u en u departement die omgewing en waterkwessie hanteer. Ons vra u om saam met die mense te werk, voordat dit te laat is. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.) [I believe that we find ourselves in a very difficult situation. Our existence and our continued survival depend on how you and your department manage the environment and water issues. We would like to appeal to you to work in collaboration with the people, before it is too late. Thank you.]