November 18

COP17 Climate Change Conference Comes to Durban

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November 18, 2011

There are only 10 days to go until the official COP17 takes off!

Held in Durban, South Africa, it will run from 28 November to 9 December 2011. It’s the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17), which is the decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It was founded in 1994 when an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the threats and challenges posed by climate change was formally established. Since then, the COP has been held in a different city in the world each year.

Climate change is a popular term of late – often associated with images of lone polar bears struggling on melting icecaps and floods washing away whole towns, roof by roof, couch by couch, dog by dog. It’s a picture of imminent doom – think Waterworld; think The Day After Tomorrow; think Tankgirl. We’re not keen to see the beauty that is earth diminish to such apocalyptic states at the hand of droughts, floods, heat waves, cold waves and more when we could have played a role in stopping or slowing it.

Climate change is serious. It’s considered the largest, most serious environmental problem ever to threaten the world and all its inhabitants. It’s causing desertification, changes in ecosystems and loss of biodiversity. It directly affects our water and food supplies and spreads deadly diseases like malaria. It destroys jobs, livelihoods and quality of life.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane delivering her speech at the 50 Days countdown concert

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane delivering her speech at the 50 Days countdown concert

What COP17 hopes to do is bring together approximately 15 000 representatives of the world’s governments, international organisations and civil society to discuss climate change and solutions to the problem. The COP realises that there is no point in one country or government working on its own to combat the issue; the climate system impacts on the whole world. The Earth’s future is all of our responsibility.

The major point is to lower greenhouse gas emissions, since this is the leading cause of climate change – emissions mainly from the use of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas). Industry, transport, electricity generation, heating, industrial agricultural practices, industrial and domestic air conditioning are some activities that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and in turn life-threatening global warming.

South Africa is exceptionally pleased to be hosting the COP17 in Durban this year, a city that is committed to upholding its biodiversity and initiating various greening and renewable energy projects. It’s also a great chance for Durban to prove it is worthy of hosting the world. We hope it will highlight Durban as an appealing tourist destination, since the city and its surrounds have so much to offer travellers.

Durban is the friendly city with much to offer

Road to Durban

Leading up to the COP17, CNN has been running a Road to Durban series, a 30-minute monthly show that explores the cities making strides in reducing their carbon footprint. Beginning in the United Kingdom, CNN will take viewers to urban centers in Germany, Turkey and Kenya — before heading to Durban for the 17th session of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in December. Along the way, a team of experts will examine the planning, environmental and sustainability issues facing today’s cities, as well as the green initiatives being developed to tackle them. After Durban, the show will be heading to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to continue the journey.

Watch Road to Durban: A Green City Journey in November at the following times (all GMT):

Saturday, November 19: 05:30, 19:30
Sunday, November 20: 12:30
Friday, November 25: 12:30
Saturday, November 26: 05:30, 19:30

On their green journey, CNN stopped in at Londolozi Private Game Reserve to interview Dave Varty about his lodge’s conservation efforts. Read the blog we did here or more on Londolozi’s blog.

Stop Climate Change

Going Green at Rhino Africa

At Rhino Africa we believe in walking the talk when it comes to responsible tourism. And while we concentrate our efforts on wildlife conservation and community upliftment, we are also conscious of the day to day impact of our business on the environment. We work in collaboration with the Heritage Environmental Management Company (preferred partner to Green Globe for sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands) and have committed to their Green Business Plan, to show that we are dedicated to the cause. We have a Silver accreditation from the Heritage Environmental Management Company – have a look at our certification here.

We also encourage the properties that we recommend to get such accreditation. By supporting certified properties, the guests we send to these places actively participate in reducing the footprint of environmentally sensitive areas in Africa and in uplifting communities.

Read the Rhino Africa sustainable vision statement here and our green procurement policy here.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of Durban

Reasons to visit Durban

–          Rich in cultural diversity, including African, Eastern and Western influences

–          One of the friendliest and most soulful and laid-back cities in South Africa

–          The climate is mild and sub-tropical with sunshine for an average of 320 days a year, making it one of the country’s top holiday destinations

–          Magnificent beachfront along the Indian Ocean that is popular with surfers and a long promenade along the beach that is always abuzz with walkers, joggers, cyclists, in line skaters, skateboarders and traders

–          Biggest harbour in Southern Africa

–          Plenty entertainment on the waterfront and a variety of restaurants, bars, street markets, temples, museums, galleries, sports stadiums, gardens and shops in and around the city

[Read more here.]

For more facts and information about Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal province as a whole, as well as exciting activities, tours, sights and sounds on offer here, visit our website or contact us. For those wishing to extend their trip and explore more of South Africa or go on a Safari in one of the luxury reserves around Durban (such as Phinda, Thanda Private Game ReserveHluhluwe and more), contact Rhino Africa Safaris today and we’ll help you plan an exciting, fuss-free trip.


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About the author 

Tamlin Wightman

Tamlin has been exploring, writing about and photographing Africa ever since her first job as a photojournalist for Getaway Magazine. She's lived on an island, eaten with lions, sailed catamarans in the Indian Ocean, tracked wild dogs with Kinglsey Holgate, and white water rafted down the Zambezi and has kept just about every airplane ticket that has crossed her hands.

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