The Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, Nobel laureates Wangari Maathai and Rajendra Pachauri will join the South African Minister of Environment, Marthinus van Schalkwyk for a press conference addressing the challenges of climate change for Africa on friday.
14/01/2008 :: The Norwegian government has ambitiously committed itself to face climate change both at home and abroad. Leading the fight against climate change on several fronts, the Norwegian government has in addition to substantial emission cuts in Norway and research on carbon storage technology, announced a countribution of about 525 million USD to combat deforestation of rain forest in developing countries at last years Bali conference. Norway is pleased to be joined by such personalities as chairman Pachauri, Ms. Maathai and Minister van Schalkwyk in a seminar in Cape Town on Friday 18th january 08, hosted by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).
The Cape Town seminar is a short stop Prime Minister Stoltenberg and chairman Pachauri will make on their way to Antarctica, the part of the globe where climate changes are perhaps most evident. For their crucial contribution in raising awareness, knowledge and international cooperation on the climate issue, chairman Pachauri, on behalf of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was along with Al Gore awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway last year. Aiming at countinuing and boosting research on the field, Prime Minister Stoltenberg invited the Nobel laureate to Troll research station in Antarctica as part of the Norwegian programme for the International Polar Year 2008.
The other Nobel laureate contributor, Ms. Wangari Maathai was awarded the Peace Prize in 2004 for her efforts for sustainable development and battle against deforestation in eastern Africa. According to the IPCC the poorer countries of southern Africa may be one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change, a concern now being addressed by both the international community and South African authorities. The constructive role played by South Africa at the Bali conference has been confirmed by the adaptation of a first-ever climate resolution at the ANC Polokwane conference in last year December, setting a target for carbon emissions.
The press conference take place at the Kirstenbosch Institute in Cape Town, Friday the 18th og January at 12.30, and will be followed by a round- table discussion on challenges of climate change in Africa.