GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route Environmental Forum (Gref) will be providing an outlook on climate change matters at its annual indaba in George on Friday 27 June.
According to Cobus Meiring, Gref convener, the indaba's theme includes a look at sustainable funding mechanisms to create resilience against climate change in the Southern Cape. The event is being hosted by the Nelson Mandela University's George Campus.
The keynote address will be delivered by design thinking specialist Dr Roy Marcus, the executive director of The Collaboratory, on the topic 'Future planning scenario on climate change and the South African context'. Marcus will speak at 09:30.
Garden Route Mayor Andrew Stroebel will speak about prosperity for the Garden Route through innovation with a focus on a changing climate.
The other speakers on the programme are:
- Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, School for Natural Resources, Nelson Mandela University: 'Systems approach to fast-track sustainable well-being'
- Anton Cartwright, director of Econologic, Associate of the African Centre for Cities and IPCC lead author: 'Economics and environmental change'
- Peter du Toit, founder of FutureClimateIQ and En-ROADS climate ambassador: 'State of the climate 2025'
- Dr Anna Taylor, urban climate adaptation research fellow of the African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town: 'Climate adaptation priorities and pathways'
- Melissa Dalton, Wilderness and Lakes Environmental Action Forum (Waleaf): 'The Kingfisher Badge Initiative - a sustainable funding mechanism using regenerative tourism in Wilderness'
- Servaas de Kock, Group CEO, Group Editors: 'Celebrating 16 years of participation: Group Editors and George Herald's commitment to a sustainable Garden Route'
- Stiaan Kotze, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: 'Southern oceans research'.
A pre-recorded message from the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, will also be played and an interactive participation session will be held for the audience to interact with a panel of some of the speakers.
The programme will start at 08:30 and conclude at 15:15.
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