The two groups overlapped and interacted for a week in Norrkoping, where Donald spent three weeks. Another week week was spent in Stockholm. "We were taken on a tour of Hammarby Sjöstad," says Donald. "Hammarby Sjöstad is a suburb of Stockholm which was designed to be an environmental city. Almost all waste is used…. For compost, or incinerated to create heating for homes and methane produced from the waste is also used to power all the buses."
Donald shared a classroom with representatives from South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Those in attendance were primarily government representatives, university lecturers, parliamentarians and politicians - decision-makers and those perceived to be influential in communities. Donald and two other South Africans were there as part of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) Energy and Sustainability Project (E&S). E&S, funded by ESKOM, paid for Donald’s flights, while SIDA covered the course expenses.
Donald says that this was the last time that South Africa could be eligible to attend this specific course as the country is seen to have developed significantly, thus now being considered as a country for potential partnerships rather than a recipient of aid. The Swedish government is willing to form business partnerships with South African companies and offer consultation pertaining to sustainability issues.
According to Donald, there are two aspects to be considered when examining the problem of Climate Change: Adaptation and Mitigation.
"The developed nations are generally better equipped, educated and resourced to be able to cope with the coming changes," says Donald. Developing countries are more vulnerable because with widespread poverty, there can be a lack of ability to respond and a tendency to be reactive rather than proactive. She suggests, "The poorest people are the most vulnerable due to lack of technology, education and resources to prepare adequately for drought or flood." Sweden is far advanced in terms of its environmental policies and practices, particularly in the field of sustainable urban and industrial development. The country is in the process of planning a sustainable city in China, using generated waste to produce fuel for transport and heat. Donald goes on to explain that water, energy use and waste are inextricably linked. She suggests that South Africa needs to find other ways of generating power. Burning fossil fuels is one of the biggest factors contributing to carbon emissions, next to deforestation. South Africa’s carbon emissions are the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. This seems unnecessary when renewable energy sources exist, and it is possible to turn waste into fuel.
Donald sees the role of those who attended this course as agents of change. She feels inspired to continue her work with young people, who are the future decision-makers.
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) uses hypothetical scenarios and creates models to illustrate the implications of climate change. Whilst much variance occurs, the results of most scenarios consistently suggest that the Southern African climate will become hotter and drier, whilst East Africa becomes wetter. Donald explains that the implications for South African residents are likely to be marked changes in vegetation, prevalent birds and insects. It is likely that there will be an increase in insects and Malaria could potentially spread to within national borders. It is suggested that the worst case scenario in terms of global emissions has already occurred.
Humans need to prepare to adapt and mitigate to counteract the consequences. "We need to act now… The technology is available," says Donald. "We need to develop in sustainable ways that prepare for climate change and minimise carbon emissions and greenhouse gases."
The international community gathers in Cancun, Mexico, November 29 – December 10, under The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for the 2010 Climate Change talks (COP 7).
"Next to the goddess of the moon, Ixchel was also the goddess of reason, creativity and weaving," Christina Figueres, UN climate chief, told the gathering in her opening address on Monday, November 29: "May she inspire you - because today, you are gathered in Cancun to weave together the elements of a solid response to climate change." The 2011 Climate Change talks are scheduled to be held in Durban, South Africa.
Courtesy of Sten Bergstrom of the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute.
ARTICLE: CANDICE LUDICK
