Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille today took to Twitter in an hour-long update regarding key issues affecting the City of Cape Town, including the ongoing water crisis, the superblocking in Imizamo Yethu, and climate change.
The speech itself was delivered at a city council meeting, but livetweeted from her account before the full speech was published Thursday afternoon.
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Cape Town’s water crisis continues
“Let me start with the water crisis and yes despite the recent rains, we are still in a drought,” she began, shedding light on the City’s plans to combat the low dam levels and drier-than-normal winter.
She also lambasted Cape Town residents who are still “not saving water”.
The dam levels are extremely low for this time of year, it is disappointing that there are still too many people who are not saving water.
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 27, 2017
The little rain we had in the past few weeks has had an insignificant impact on our dam levels.
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 27, 2017
At present, Cape Town is using around 640-million litres per day, 140-million more than the City’s target.
“I am pleading with people to please limit their water use 87 litres a day in line with level 4b restrictions,” she adds.
As for plans to combat the drought, and climate change at large, de Lille also announced that “over 100 submissions” were received by the community for proposed solutions to the water crisis.
This was in response to a call made by the City earlier this year for those with possible solutions to the crisis to step forward.
“The RFI solicited interest from entities in forming possible partnerships with us to supply, install, and operate temporary plants,” she adds.
Our Water and Sanitation Management Department is currently busy with the technical scrutiny of the inputs received. #CTCouncil
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 27, 2017
I am confident that we will start partnerships with the companies behind these ideas that will help us find solutions.
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 27, 2017
Amidst the water crisis, de Lille also announced the City of Cape Town’s green energy goals.
City of Cape Town commits to green energy
“Our energy goals include sourcing at least 20% of our energy needs from renewables by 2020,” she tweets, citing the “only obstacle” as the national government.
De Lille failed to specify which renewable energy methods will be employed, but she did cite “independent power producers” as key players.
Our only obstacle is National Government who prevent us from procuring renewable energy from Independent Power Producers.
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 27, 2017
In light of the stance taken by the Minister of Energy and NERSA, the City will be launching a High Court application. #CTCouncil
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 27, 2017
She also announced that the City will take the above matter — citing Eskom and national electricity regulator NERSA — to the High Court.
The City is committed to procuring clean and renewable energy from IPPs for a number of important reasons. #CTCouncil
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 27, 2017
The City is committed to procuring clean and renewable energy from IPPs for a number of important reasons. #CTCouncil
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 27, 2017
The majority of Eskom’s electricity supply is also generated by dirty fossil fuels, contributing immensely to the climate change crisis.
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 27, 2017
In order to live up to our commitments as climate change champions, we need to be able to take greater control over our own energy supply.
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 27, 2017
De Lille also aimed a comment at US President Donald Trump, confirming that the City of Cape Town “strives to ensure that all City-led projects have incorporated climate change considerations”.
“The City stands in solidarity with American cities committed to addressing climate change despite President Trump’s decision to leave COP 21,” she adds.
The goal of the policy is for Cape Town to become a city that is climate resilient, resource efficient and lower carbon. #CTCouncil
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 27, 2017
We will ensure that Cape Town’s natural ecosystems are protected, managed and made resilient.
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 27, 2017
“We will ensure that Cape Town’s natural ecosystems are protected, managed and made resilient,” she concludes.
Feature image: warrenski via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0, resized)
