Activists rally against fossil fuels as African Energy Week unfolds
. Climate activists from Extinction Rebellion Cape Town and Greenpeace staged protests outside African Energy Week, calling for an end to fossil fuel projects in Africa.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newsapers
Climate activists dressed up in costumes in red and orange with chains and some were moved by police as they blocked traffic with during a demonstration, calling for renewable energy solutions while the African Energy Week was underway at the Cape Town Convention Centre on Tuesday.
Activists held a poster reading: “Fossil Fuels Are not The Future.”
Others in orange and white said: “Make polluters Pay.”
One of them could be seen being dragged by police and shouted: “Polluters must pay.”
The Red Rebel Brigade held a silent demonstration, while Greenpeace blocked traffic with a giant “climate bill” card machine, which symbolised the costs of oil and gas on the continent.
Protestors were later moved to a designated area.
Police did not respond to Cape Argus queries regarding their presence and action at the protest.
The African Energy Week is the African Energy Chamber’s interactive exhibition and networking event that seeks to unite African energy stakeholders, drive industry growth and development, and promote Africa as the destination for African-focused events.
The event is committed to African people and African energy and encourages bringing a global audience to Cape Town where we will make decisions on the future of the continent’s natural resources and energy sectors.
The Green Connection together with climate justice activists such as The Red Rebel Brigade, African Climate Alliance, Extinction Rebellion Cape Town, Project 90 by 2030, SAFCEI, and the Climate Justice Coalition, community leaders and students gathered outside the venue with the message: “fossil fuels are driving our social and environmental crises, not solving them.”
The Red Rebel Brigade held a silent demonstration, while Greenpeace blocked traffic with a giant “climate bill” card machine, symbolising the costs of oil and gas on the continent.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
The Green Connection’s Advocacy Officer, Lisa Makaula said: “We can’t continue to have leaders constantly push for development of more fossil fuel projects when we are at a turning point. Climate change is impacting marginalized communities and without a just energy transition away from fossil fuels, negative impacts could worsen."
Stella Hertantyo of African Climate Alliance explained their stance, citing that air pollution from coal-fired power stations kills more than 2,200 South Africans every year.
"Coal is also a major contributor to climate change, which we know will continue to pose health risks in the most extreme ways. As civil society organisations, we are often called “anti-development”.
"But if the utilisation of coal was so good for development, then we need to ask ourselves why we still have immense challenges such as poverty, inequality, and unemployment. They are going to be sitting in that conference room discussing the business opportunities for future fossil fuel extraction, but at what cost? We are sacrificing people’s lives and our planet.”
Extinction Rebellion (XR) Cape Town’s Judy Scott-Goldman who stood proudly with her costume added their view: "Oil and gas companies spread climate disinformation to lull decision makers into thinking that we have decades to address the climate crisis. This is false. Catastrophic consequences are upon us with scientists and actuaries predicting two billion deaths by 2050 and 25% loss in GDP globally."
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