The day will be celebrated at the Pella Park Sports Ground, Porterville from 9am.
This year's international theme is Deserts and Desertification.
The West Coast is already experiencing the effects of Climate Change with drastic implications for the agricultural community. Farmers are having to rethink alternative crops to optimise scarce water resources in the area.
Desertification is also affecting rural communities on the peripheries of towns like Porterville.
Minister Essop and Mayor Sanette Smit will also hand over biogel stoves and gel to the community. Made from a by-product of sugar cane, biogel is environmentally friendly. The department will be monitoring the efficiency of the technology to determine the sustainability, safety and community acceptance of this product.
It is safer to cook with biogel than paraffin, as paraffin has been the cause of many shack fires.
CFL's will also be handed over to the municipality who will run the exchange programme.
The department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning will work closely with the municipality to further roll-out energy efficient lighting.
For more information contact:
Lynnette JohnsMedia Liasion Officer to
Ms Tasneem Essop
Provincial Minister: Environment, Planning and Economic Development
Tel: 483 3915
Fax: 483 6081
