Green Energy
Image Credit: Siemens.com

Lets Think Green Energy in Africa

I know you’ll be quick to point out some of the “green initiatives” African governments have launched to adopt Green Energy but the truth is most of these projects are nothing more than just, sorry to say, propaganda. Yes, green energy is evident in our society but only on a small scale. We thank God for our solar-powered street lights but we need to think bigger. Way bigger!

First of all, what is even Green Energy? Glad you asked.

Green energy is energy gotten from renewable resources i.e. materials (or resources) that are naturally replenished. Examples of such resources include sunlight, wind, plants, waves and more.

Unlike fossil fuel which is limited, takes many many years to develop and diminishes over time, these renewable sources will exist for pretty much till the end of time. Also, the process of extracting and mining fossil fuel is extremely hazardous to the environment unlike its renewable counterparts.

OK sir, thanks the Nature Science 101. Where are you going with this?

First all, let’s have look at the current fuel crisis in Nigeria. This isn’t the first time we are experiencing something like this, nor is it the second or third time. It’s almost a yearly thing and it’s interesting that Nigerians think it’s “yearly” opportunity for the government to cash out on us. Not to mention that with each fuel subsidy, the price of petroleum products seems to go higher. I can also testify to how hectic and frustrating it can be to get fuel at the moment:

For those interested, reasons for this menace disturbing our society includes inadequate supply of petroleum products, maladjusted refineries, pipeline vandalism and of course corruption. More factors are in play here but instead of dwelling on them, we need to figure out better ways to improve our standard of living. And that’s where Green Energy comes in.

Thankfully, quite a number of young Africans have seen the need for renewable energy and have founded companies around this. Individuals like Lucia Bakulumpagi-Wamala, Jean Bosco Nzeyimana, and George Mtemahanji are examples of entrepreneurs doing their best to provide affordable green energy to their various communities and beyond. African governments should replicate this acts on a bigger scale as some countries are already doing. Great Britain for example, has a plan get rid of diesel and petrol road vehicles from 2040 and countries like Uruguay, Germany, and even Kenya are leading the way in renewable energy [according to ClickEnergy].

To achieve this though, it’s not going to be by the government alone. Private companies are going to have to work hand-in-hand with the government to make this happen. It’s time we stop thinking about our pockets and how we can make it fatter. Instead, we need to start thinking about how we can give back and generally improve our lives for the better. We need to create a better future for ourselves but we can’t do that if we are killing the World we live in.

In conclusion, the fact that we have to think big doesn’t mean we have to start big. We could start by renovating our Dams for better hydroelectricity. We could also fully harness the power of our old friend, the Sun. And at the right time, we could take hazardous vehicles off the road and maybe replace them with environmentally friendly ones.

Adeshola Ogunleye

Grown man in a young body but I use that to my advantage.

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