The production and use of energy has varying effects on the global environment. The City of Johannesburg hosted a seminar to educate and mobilise young people from across the metro to investigate such effects and draw attention to the need for an energy transition.

A group of industry experts were at the Joburg Zoo on Friday, 24 March to broaden the thinking capacity of the youth when it comes to energy.

Sinawo Sigalelana, the project manager for Sustainable Energy Africa, mentioned how the energy sector is at the heart of all major metros in South Africa, with a particular emphasis on Johannesburg.

“Energy does not just refer to electricity, but to all types of energies we are exposed to, such as gasoline, diesel, and paraffin, among many others,” said Sigalelana.

He added that because the youth are the future, there is a need to engage them in thinking about more sustainable energy sources with a much lower carbon footprint.

“Although we as a country have little access to modern, healthy, safe energy and are a minor contributor to climate change, it will affect us the most because of our non-resilient infrastructure,” Sigalelana explained.

“All our lives are dependent on energy, in homes, businesses and the economy at large. We need to ensure universal access to modern energy sources. We also need to double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.”

Hlengiwe Radebe, a WWF civil society engagement officer, was also on the programme, concentrating her talk on energy politics and why the country requires a just energy transition to address the climate crisis.

“In the absence of technology that can reduce CO2 emissions to zero, the solution to climate change is a complete reduction of emissions by transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and batteries for electric vehicles, to name a few,” Radebe said.

This Climate Change seminar at the Joburg Zoo was part of a four-day series of events organised by the City’s Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD) this week. The first day was dedicated to climate change, with the second day focusing on gender justice.​

The Johannesburg Zoo will host the final session of the series on Saturday, 25 March in commemoration of Earth Hour 2023. Industry experts will also be present, and young people are invited to attend and participate in the closing event.

Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph

24/03/2024​