The City of Cape Town invites all Capetonians to attend a fun-filled, free family event – ‘CLIMATE SMART Cape Town’ – at the Green Point Park on Sunday.
With COP17 hosted in Durban during November and December 2011, climate change issues are in the spotlight. While climate change solutions are central to South Africa’s future, there is a need for an increased focus on the issues and challenges faced by Cape Town to become a more resilient city and to take advantage of the many opportunities this represents, such as advancing a low carbon economy, creating jobs and living more sustainably.
On Sunday 20 November 2011 from 11:00 – 15:00, Capetonians can enjoy a family event entitled, ‘Climate SmART in the Green Point Park’. There is no entrance fee. This is a chance to open up to different perspectives on climate change from some of the most insightful and talented artists, and to enjoy creative responses to the challenges of climate change. It’ll be a day to live lightly, play deeply, and celebrate a Climate Smart Cape Town.
Climate Smart Cape Town is a campaign driven by the Cape Town Climate Change Coalition (CTCCC) consisting of more than 30 partner organisations. The partners are committed to knowledge sharing and capacity building with respect to climate change.
Highlights of the event include:
- ‘The Pavilion of Wishes,’ collecting people’s wishes for a Climate Smart Cape Town. At the end of the day these will be collated and delivered to the City officials who can effect change
- A petting zoo of over 40 animals
- ‘Giant Puppets’ from UNIMA, carrying Climate Smart Cape Town’s inspirational slogans
- A roster of theatre and dance
- Musical group ‘Playing with Fire’
- Having a T-shirt screen printed with a climate change slogan. Artists, including Lizza Littlewort and Janet Botes, have created one-off designs for the day. Bring an old T-shirt and have it upcycled with the slogan, or buy a brand new organic cotton T-shirt at the stall
- Food from Jean Nel of ‘Flamed Foods’ (barbecue cuisine), Karen Dudley of ‘The Kitchen’ (sandwiches and salads), and ‘The Queen of Tarts’ (cakes and pastries)
- An exhibition of crafters who work with recycled, repurposed and upcycled materials only, curated by The Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI). It includes products from Katie Thompson and Heath Nash, as well as jewellery, mobiles and many other goods to suit every pocket and all tastes
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Environmental and Spatial Planning, Alderman Belinda Walker, hopes that this wonderful family event will encourage Capetonians to do what they can to reduce their carbon emissions.
“When it comes to addressing climate change, the time for action has long since arrived. The climate is changing, and we each must do all we can to reduce our carbon emissions and change the pattern of our resource consumption. Reducing our resource consumption and making sure our houses and businesses work with our climate will also help us adapt to changes in the climate,” said Alderman Walker.
Says Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism: “This is the perfect day out for families; bring the little ones to the petting zoo and the older kids to see the hugely popular ‘Giant Puppets’, and at the same time teach them about caring for the world we live in. The Green Point Park is one of Cape Town’s newest green public spaces set against the backdrop of one of the World’s New7Wonders of Nature, Table Mountain. Where better to teach your children, and learn more yourself, about playing your part in conserving Cape Town’s natural treasures?
“Cape Town Tourism is a proud partner of the Cape Town Climate Change Coalition and we, together with our partners in the tourism industry, are committed to reducing carbon emissions in order to build Cape Town into a city which is more resilient and resource efficient, ” Du Toit-Helmbold added.
For more information on Climate Smart Cape Town, visit www.climatesmartcapetown.co.za.
