How can the government contemplate the commissioning of new coal-powered stations when climate change due to global warming is the biggest threat yet to society? I understand the argument that SA is a country of huge discrepancies in personal well-being and that economic growth is necessary at (almost) any cost, but the cost of losing the race to keep the world temperature increase at or below 1.5°C above that of the preindustrial era, is more than any of us — rich or poor — can afford. According to world-renowned scientists at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the vulnerable and poor will be affected most by climate change. We have 15 or fewer years left before a fatal tipping point is reached. The total irrationality of it is that clean energy is now readily available in SA, and cheaper than new coal. As an added bonus, buying into clean energy provision provides the opportunity to abide by the UN 17 sustainable development goals to transform the world. The UN General...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.