Austrian actor and former US Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks during a press conference in Kiev, Ukraine, on 13 October, 2018. Arnold Schwarzenegger gave a lecture on the theme of ‘How to reach the maximum today and maintain the highest productivity even in the era of different crises and the rapid growth of new technologies?’ during the "Olerom Forum One" business-forum in his the first visit in Kiev, Ukraine, on 13 October, 2018. (Photo by STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Austrian actor and former US Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks during a press conference in Kiev, Ukraine, on 13 October, 2018. Arnold Schwarzenegger gave a lecture on the theme of ‘How to reach the maximum today and maintain the highest productivity even in the era of different crises and the rapid growth of new technologies?’ during the "Olerom Forum One" business-forum in his the first visit in Kiev, Ukraine, on 13 October, 2018. (Photo by STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
He’s won battles against cyborgs, alien monsters and politicians. Truth be told, we’re not sure which is the scariest. But Arnold Schwarzenegger has picked a new fight, as the Hollywood star and climate change activist turns his attention to the threat of drought.
Arnie is very serious about water conservation, and he’s joined up the W12 – Future of Water group to help combat another potential day zero. He’ll be visiting Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, for a three-day conference being held in May 2019.
Who are W12?
The group consists of delegates from these 12 major cities that are projected to run out of water by 2020:
- Cape Town, Istanbul, Moscow, London, Sau Paulo, Bangalore, Beijing, Cairo, Jakarta, Mexico City, Tokyo and Miami.
Cape Town has suffered a great deal over the last 18 months, with the green shoots of recovery only just beginning to show. However, the threat of the taps being switched off hasn’t technically ended.
Day zero hasn’t been terminated yet (sorry, it couldn’t be helped). It’s been pushed back to 2020. Another dry summer followed by a weak rainy season could take the water reticulation system back to square one.
Why Arnold Schwarzenegger has joined the team
Arnie governed California for eight years and he’s always been a firm believer in tackling the dire effects of climate change. His environmentally-conscious philosophies make him a perfect fit for the campaign to limit water scarcity.
He’s also been very vocal in his criticism of Donald Trump: The president is highly-sceptical about the consequences of global warming, despite overwhelming scientific evidence highlighting its existence.
W12 gathering set to aid Cape economy
Minister of Economic Opportunities for the Western Cape, Alan Winde, hailed the event as a huge coup for the province, predicting the conference would provide an economic boost:
“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. The conference will bring a bump in tourism jobs and services – a major goal of the Western Cape Government.”
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.
