GREEN POWER: Visitors to last year's Renewable Energy Festival discover innovations such as a solar-powered grill. This year's event will be held on Saturday at the Green Point Track. GREEN POWER: Visitors to last year's Renewable Energy Festival discover innovations such as a solar-powered grill. This year's event will be held on Saturday at the Green Point Track.
Katharina Riebesel
CLIMATE change, the energy crisis and unemployment affect every South African citizen, you included
One solution to overcome those challenges is making use of renewable energy. Biomass, wind, solar and other power sources entail great potential for job creation and address environmental as well as energy problems.
These are just some of the issues that will be discussed at the Renewable Energy Festival on Saturday at the Green Point Track facility from 11.30am to 10pm. Entry is free,.
The public will have the opportunity to attend free educational seminars and debates, and participate in an interactive exhibition showcasing innovative renewable energy technology and projects.
Among the attractions are children’s entertainment, a food and craft market, discussions with experts and an exhibition area where organisations such as the SA Wind Energy Association (Sawea) will present the latest South African innovations on the theme of renewable energy in action.
Sawea encourages visitors to join the international #iheartwind campaign and share thoughts about wind at its stand. The festival itself is inspired by the One Million Climate Jobs Campaign, a South African movement that emphasises the importance of climate change solutions and their possible boost for jobs.
World Wide Fund (WWF) South Africa will partner with the Alternative Information Development Centre, the Rosa Luxembourg Foundation and the city to realise the city’s second renewable energy-focused event, which is running off 100 percent renewable energy.
Alexis Scholtz from WWF SA said: “Building more coal stations and looking at nuclear options does not help. Renewable energy is able to produce energy quicker, is less expensive and creates more jobs.”
At 8.30pm, the festival culminates in an Earth Hour event. The worldwide lights-off event to raise awareness about climate change is celebrated in more than 162 countries and territories. During the 60 minutes, the festival presents unplugged live music and short movies on a bicycle-powered outdoor screen.
Johnny Clegg is headlining a free public concert. His son Jesse, Hot Water, Gang of Instrumentals, Wood Works, Me & Mr Brown, Afro Tropica and comedian Siv Ngesi complete the line-up.
katharina.riebesel@inl.co.za