Climate change activist, philanthropist and ex-Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, will join global leaders at the W12, Future of Water conference being held at M’hudi Wine Farm in Stellenbosch in May next year. The event which is being organised by non-profit organisation SOS, is the first event of its kind to bring together key stakeholders from the 12 global cities predicted to run out of water over the next 24 months.
Creating an estimated economic impact of R12.8-million for the city, more than 1 500 local and international delegates are expected to attend the three-day conference. All infrastructure for the conference will be built with assistance and participation from the surrounding community, creating much needed job opportunities in the region.
“Never before have conferences of this nature been more important. As we continue to build on our resilience as a province and emerge from the worst drought in over 100 years, W12 will give us the platform to create new partnerships and facilitate possible investments into locally based businesses dealing with the water crisis and water related technologies,” said conference partner Wesgro CEO Tim Harris.
A key objective of the conference is to focus on the role of ordinary citizens, encouraging active citizenship and understanding the responsibility individuals have in solving the climate crisis, without waiting for politicians, official organisations or governments to intervene. Sharing and educating on best practice solutions based on experience picked up from the SOS team and partners in Cape Town from 2017/2018 crises will be a key feature at the conference.
“W12 aims to raise awareness about the impact of climate change and the role all cities and citizens have to play in encouraging solutions in a water scarce world,” says Shelley Humphreys, Executive Director of SOS. “The drought was never about a specific date, but about essential behavioural change, now and forever.”
The 12 cities sighted to run out of water are; Cape Town, Istanbul, Moscow, London, Sau Paulo, Bangalore, Beijing, Cairo, Jakarta, Mexico City, Tokyo and Miami.
“W12 will bring thought leaders engaged in the global conversation around resilience to our doorstep. We are not only a part of that conversation, but playing a major role in it,” said Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde. “The conference will bring a bump in tourism jobs and services – a major goal of the Western Cape Government.”
Provided by SOS NPO
