CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Climate change risks devastating South Africa's wine and fruit industries, the country's deputy president warned Tuesday at the opening of an international environment conference.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said the fight against climate change should be as intense as the struggle against apartheid.

"Because it's a survival issue," she told 1,200 delegates at the Global Environment Facility conference.

The facility, which is a partnership with the U.N. Development Program, the U.N. Environment Program and the World Bank, helps fund projects aimed at combating pollution and promoting sustainable development.

Governments on Monday pledged US$3.1 billion to the fund's operations.

Steen Jorgensen, acting Vice President of Sustainable Development at the World Bank, said the organization envisaged stepping up its environmental grant programs.

Source: Associated Press

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