Peaceful demonstration in Sandton
ILLOVO - To show support for the United Nations #action2015 initiative, a group of Sandton residents gathered at Melrose Arch Piazza for a peaceful demonstration on 24 September.
The demonstration, which was one of thousands aligned with the #action2015 initiative that took place around the world, is aimed at pressuring world leaders to take action at the UN Special Summit on Sustainable Development in New York which began on 25 September. The summit is expected to see world leaders agree on a set of sustainable development goals for the next 15 years which will replace and build on the 15-year-old millennium development goals which expire this year.
Sanitary brand, Hansgrohe, co-ordinated the Sandton #action2015 initiative to raise awareness of the proposed sustainable development goals surrounding water conservation, which remains a grave issue in South Africa. Hansgrohe is renowned for developing high-quality eco-technologies that significantly reduce water consumption with its range of designer kitchen and bathroom taps and showerheads.
Managing director of Hansgrohe Africa, David Cooper said, “If water use in South Africa continues at the current rate, demand for fresh water is expected to exceed supply by 2025. Water security is closely aligned to food security since agriculture and food production rely heavily on water. A rise in the cost of water, together with potential restrictions in water consumption will, therefore, threaten the country’s economic growth prospects.
“Please join us in raising awareness of the need to save water by pledging support on social media using #action2015.”
Environmentalist and climatologist, Simon Gear, addressed the demonstrators on the day and said, “South Africa is a water-stressed country with almost all our current water resources already allocated.
“For us to continue to grow our economy and provide a future with fresh water for our people and the environment, it is imperative that we manage our supplies better through better-resourced water infrastructure and a more concerted effort to protect the watersheds of the eastern highlands from short-term mining.”
During the Sandton #action2015 demonstration, Hansgrohe reaffirmed its commitment to water conservation by pledging to reduce the water consumption of its products during production by 10 percent within three years.
Details: www.action2015.org
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