Africa should harness renewable resources

In light of the ever changing picture in world resources such as coal and water which dwindle yearly and constantly need major inputs to harness, it falls to us as a sign to acquire the need to harness other renewable resources such as the sun and wind to substitute the ever dwindling resources and move to a better and sustainable energy sources to boost supply in the country. Such an initiative can see the country harnessing these renewable resources at a very low cost whilst ensuring a better future for the next generation. The current world state, of a multi-polar global economy, where developing and transition countries are now key players is one that the country should take hold of and utilize for the betterment of the nation. Our current state were power demands exceed supply is one that consequently leads to power shortages that inevitably affects production on a large scale all the way down to the young entrepreneurs. This also leads to a decrease in the living standards of the common man and unwanted short machinery lifespan for the small business person who has largely assisted the country in their informal trade. According to the World Bank 2010 year in review report which states that “Developing countries have been increasingly providing the demand that is pulling the global economy out of the economic crisis. These countries and their imports have accounted for more than half of the increase in world import demands since 2000, as importers of capital goods and services.” As the people in Africa’s incomes and livings standards rise, so does their propensity to purchase goods or their purchasing power. Though I find this very disturbing to note that the wealthier nations need us for survival; I am however not sure at the extent at which we as African nations need them to survive. Africa is the holder of the largest deposits of natural resources than any other continent in the world. We should be giving these wealthy countries aid and not (as is the current state) the other way round. Perishable resources Our future depends in harnessing our renewable resources and reducing the depletion of perishable resources. In a time not so distant our grand children will see coal deposits in a Museum and a sculptured stone replica of a Baobab tree during their annual school trip and not experience the life we do at the current moment. They will mourn why their fore fathers failed to preserve the land and its resources because of greed and the unwillingness to change. There has been so much talk about the “Green Revolution” and the need to explore other ways of living which deviates from the norm. As resources are exploited and depleting what then should we do to counter this scenario? Are we to let everything fall away or are we to seek wisdom and prove worthy and important to our future which strongly relies on us. South Africa’s request for a loan from the World Bank was approved in April 2010 in which the state owned utility will use 260 million on renewable resources and 441 million for low carbon efficiency components. The total sum of the loan was 3.75 billion and the greater part of this loan will however go to the construction of a megawatt coal-fired power plant that will use cleaner coal supercritical technology. I am however of the view that a large sum of the money should have gone to the former renewable resources as these are what Africa is endowed with. We boast of deserts, heat and wind of amazing proportions and yet we do not use these resources to the fullest. What many countries look to visit To Africa for (the heat) is exactly what can get us from our slumber and be the greatest continent in the world. This can however be achieved by embracing the Green Revolution and promoting better living standards for our children. It is estimated that 20 million people in Africa will be in extreme poverty in 2015, a sad prophecy of doom for the continent which I would like to believe can be turned around by implementing sound economic plans for every nation. In light of these scary thoughts for our continent, I believe that the future of the African economy should rest upon sound administration and the understanding of where the world is going to. If we could power up nearly three quarters of the country by solar and wind power, we could reduce a greater portion of the budgets intended for electrification projects that require huge sums of money. With these renewable resources, the maintenance costs are low than that of huge power stations. As well as it is cleaner and cheap for the end users. In America, consumers chose from a variety of energy sources depending on the place and need. One would use gas for cooking, electricity for a small mechanics business, wind for water pumping and solar for water heating and lighting. Although this might sound like too much for the common man, it goes a long way in ensuring that not only one source is depleted but that the end user has a choice that depends on cost. All of these are educational issues that the locals have to be addressed on as we are living in a state were the richer get richer and the poor get poorer. It lies on the present government to address such issues and make sure that the environment is protected and the people are equipped. Thousands go without lighting at least six hours per day due to short supply but with solar power, one can chose not have electric power in his home. The nation is rather convinced and enticed on purchasing fuel powered generators that are noisy, polluting and costly in the long run. My parents have since settled on a small plot, were wind and sun are their major visitors more than the human race and harnessing of the commodities could make life for them simpler and much more fulfilling as they enter the twilight zones of their life. It is up to us to educate our children about the depletion of world resources, they will consequently find and improve ways to harness these God given commodities and keep the world brighter and attractive as it once was. Together we can make a difference to the future of the world, nations and families. Source: Joseph Takudzwa Maramba, AfricaNews reporter in Harare, Zimbabwe < Prev   Next >