Calls for global action against oil and gas exploration in ocean intensifies
The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance coordinator, Desmond D’Sa, claims the climate crisis is causing extreme weather events and disrupting ecosystems.
WITH calls for global action against oil and gas exploration in the ocean, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) and groundWorks, together with affiliated organisations in KwaZulu-Natal and community members, took to the streets of Durban on December 8.
Armed with placards, scores of people walked along the Durban Beachfront.
Also read: SDCEA advocates for the right to cleaner, safer oceans
Desmond D’Sa, SDCEA’s coordinator, said, “The objective of the march was to send a clear statement to the outside world, and those attending the Conference Of Parties 28 (COP28), that we will not accept any oil and gas exploration on our ocean coastline in South Africa.
“We also urge our South African government to invest and provide monetary resources to transform all energy power stations into socially owned renewable energy and to move to a just transition. The climate crisis requires an urgent response from those responsible for high levels of pollution,” he said.
In a joint statement by the various organisations, they said people and communities worldwide are experiencing the horrific conditions of multiple crises on top of long-standing injustices, inequalities and oppression.
“The climate crisis is causing extreme weather events and disrupting ecosystems. Those already suffering impoverishment, discrimination and exploitation are the most vulnerable to this crisis and have the least access to necessary resources to deal with its impacts.
Also read: SDCEA calls to boycott Shell as seismic survey
“The climate crisis also exacerbates other crises, furthering impoverishment and deepening inequalities. Millions of people have lost lives, homes, jobs and livelihoods. Billions face food and water scarcity, health risks and unrelenting climate-induced loss and damage.
“We have joined actions globally to expose the failures of government, corporations and elites to evade their responsibilities and obligations and to compel them to advance towards tangible solutions. We, the people, communities, movements, people’s organisations, workers and civil society networks around the globe, come together to escalate actions on the ground for system change,” it read.
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