This month audiences can screen Net Zero Speaks with Tshilidzi Marwala. This film is curated for the Planet Classroom Network by the Protect our Planet Movement and Planet Classroom.
South Africa ranks 7th in the world for coal consumption. About 80% of the country’s electricity comes from coal. South Africa has pledged to phase out coal.
Professor Tshilidzi Marwala is the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg. He served as Deputy Chairperson of the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In Net Zero Speaks with Tshilidzi Marwala, Climate Activist Mphathesithe Mkhize discusses with Marwala the challenges South Africa is facing in reaching Net Zero emissions and the solutions being explored.
The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome Mphathesithe Mkhize.
Mphathesithe, first tell us why you decided to interview Tshilidzi Marwala?
Professor Marwala is an international academic leader who is currently the Vice Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. The professor heads up this university at the same time as researching and writing extensively on zero net emissions in Africa with a just transition theme. He understands better at an international level the problem of climate change and the effects of coal production in South Africa. Therefore, it is for this reason that the professor was purposefully selected to participate on the zero net project from South Africa.
What surprised you most about your interview?
What surprised me the most about my interview with the professor was that at his university they have already started an energy renewable transition where their university parking areas are used for solar panels. It was inspirational for me to interview someone who already has done some practical work in his own space towards addressing the problem.
Give us your 3 main takeaways for the Net Zero audience from the interview?
Firstly, I would say there is an urgent need for sustainable alternative energy such as solar energy. The time to act is now; a day later is a day late for dealing with the effects of coal production if we are to successfully achieve the zero net goal. We have all seen the pledges made at the COP conferences, but now we must see them translated into local action.
Thanks Mphathesithe!
C.M. Rubin and Mphathesithe Mkhize
Don’t Miss Net Zero Speaks with Tshilidzi Marwala, now streaming on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated for the Planet Classroom Network by the Protect Our Planet Movement and Planet Classroom.
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