Marika Kok at Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards in Franschhoek submitted this reminder that we can all do our bit to help South Africa Go Greener
Historical research indicates hurricanes, tornadoes, and tropical storms are getting fiercer. Droughts are on the increase, at the same time record rainfalls are being recorded. The melting glaciers and the ice caps are also on the increase, 50 cubic miles of ice melted off Greenland in the last year. If this trend continues the sea level will rise an average of 20 meters, with catastrophic effects. In less than 50 years, scientists predict we will have to redraw the map of earth.
Within this time it is predicted that almost 2 billion people will have to relocate to higher grounds, islands in the south pacific will disappear, and some of the greatest cities in the world will simply drown.
This phenomenon does not only affect us as humans but has a major effect on other innocent beings in this world. Certain animal species are becoming extinct, migration patterns of birds are changing, insects are changing habitat and coral reefs are dying. Food, one of human’s basic needs for survival is falling under pressure. To most of us this means that the price of food is on the increase and to millions of people it means hunger and starvation.
What could be the cause of such catastrophic disasters? Everyone is blaming global warming, when actually it is not global warming that’s at fault, but rather our fault for causing global warming!
Fortunately the power is in our hands to make a difference. The carbon footprint is a measure of how much carbon we as humans produce. The key to making a difference is to minimise one’s carbon footprint. We will never eliminate our carbon footprint, we can only minimise it, by making a concerted effort by:
- turning off electronic devices when not using them
- changing from regular light bulbs to energy saving bulbs
- using less hot water, checking our tires regularly – it saves petrol and lessen carbon emissions
- planting trees (to use up carbon dioxide)
- recycling more
- learning from each other to become part of the solution.
“This is our only home and we must take care of it”, from An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore.
Heidi and Klaus Schoenknecht (see picture), regular guests at Mont Rochelle Hotel, considered their carbon footprint and decided to start making a difference. They have recently planted their olive tree to help minimize their carbon footprint.
We are giving all our guests the opportunity to plant a tree at Mont Rochelle. We will order your tree with a personalised name plaque to be ready for planting upon your arrival at the hotel.
(Main image: Marika Kok. With permission. Small image from stock.xchange http://www.sxc.hu/index.phtm )
For more information please contact the Portfolio Collection and we will put you in touch with Marika.
