Another great initiative and partnership is being led by an artist
named Akon. He is doing the groundwork to help over 600 million Africans who
still don’t have access to energy. In Akon’s Lighting Africa page, you will
find much information on what and why they are doing what they are doing. It
states, “In far too many parts of
Africa, night-time economic activities are practically non-existent. Women
cannot make productive use of their time to carry out the most basic household
tasks. Children who help the women cannot study at night without proper light
and complete their homework by candle light, an additional expense for parents.
Moreover, without access to electricity, over 3.5 million Africans die every
year from harmful pollutants or fires in the home produced by costly and toxic
solid fuels. To meet these challenges, Akon Lighting Africa seeks to provide a
concrete response at grass roots level to Africa’s energy crisis and lay the
foundations for future development. Launched in February 2014 by international
music star, Akon, leader Thione Niang and entrepreneur Samba Bathily, this
initiative aims to develop an innovative solar-powered solution that will
provide African villages with access to a clean and affordable source of
electricity.” We never think about how harmful the gasses are that are let off
by running the generators. Here we can see where many Africans have died for
this reason. Many times we forget to examine how what happens in other
continents effects what we go through here in America. Many times we become
dis-interested because we think if it is not happening in our back yard then it
doesn’t concern us. We have learned from the readings and life that climate
change is not specific to one location, but the entire world. The pollutions that
African take in go right back into the water system and we know that water
recycles itself. Africans are using these fuels within the confinement of their
homes because they don’t have electricity. Imagine how much pollutants that has
caused them to breathe in? I think it is within our best interest to not add on
to the fossil fuel industry and invest in solar. These investments help people
in other places and ultimately where we reside. Akon is probably able to buy
things much cheaper today because of the stride we have made in the
technology.
The article goes on to state
that, “While 80% of the world’s population has access to electricity, only 30%
of the African population enjoys this benefit. Today, almost 600 million
inhabitants live without electricity, particularly in rural areas. In some
countries, such as Liberia, there is virtually no access to electricity. In others,
there are huge inequalities. In Senegal for example, 90% of the population of
the capital Dakar, has access to electricity, while rural communities only 50
km away have almost none. When night falls most of Africa is plunged into total
darkness. African women take far longer to carry out basic household tasks and
the children cannot study at night. This further shows and proves just how
relevant the work that is being done in Africa is. For only thirty percent of
Africa to have electricity is perplexing to me. At the same time, I wonder does
it have a lot to do with their cultural system and not being dependent upon
electricity. Like I said on the first installment, many of their electricity
needs are for charging phones and light at night. These are the basic needs of
any people. Solar panels work great in this because they are more likely to be
able to conserve because they aren’t using as many appliances. If we assist in initiatives
like this, it brings awareness to the rest of the world that these things
actually work and is practical. http://akonlightingafrica.com/
Many entrepreneurs are
emerging in Africa in order to meet the demand for energy needs. As discussed,
more than 80 percent of Africa is without electricity. This means that there
are many opportunities to grow. To meet this demand a company called repurpose
schoolbags created a solar power book bag to help with the young people in
their communities. Thato Kgatlhanye, one of the cofounders, stated in an
article, “the schoolbag is made from 20 plastic
bags. We take it and upcycle it into a textile and sow it into a bag. We’ve
[also] integrated the Consol Solar Jar – the solar panel – on there so that
while kids walk to school, it charges and when they get back home, it can then
be used as a light to study.” These type of inventions revolutionize the world
that we live in. It is needed and should be encouraged. We have the technology
to do it here so what is keeping us from seeing bags like this in Walmart? I
believe time holds the answers and the time to act is always now! Let me
quickly examine scenarios of American using entrepreneurship as a means of
getting out solar technology. The old saying is build it, and they will come.
In this case it is build it cheap enough and the people can afford. There have
been many breakthroughs in solar technology to the point where we don’t have to
use as many expensive materials. The responsibility now falls on us to take
leaps of faith and hope, using supply to drive the demand. I believe in the
digital age; we have the ability to market things like never before. You don’t have
to have a store to sell anymore. This makes it even more of a reason to embark
on entrepreneur co-ops to help change the culture of our nation. http://www.cnbcafrica.com/insights/special-reports/innovation-in-africa/youth-solutions-innovation-solar/
As we continue in or quest
for solar technologies, we must never forget that we must first help the people
who are in poverty situations. To many times basic necessities are denied to
people for economic reasons. Reasons that could be fixed with strokes of a pen.
Part of the mental barrier for going solar is going solar on an interpersonal
level. What I mean is to care about your environment and have that relationship
with it would be to care about your fellow people. To show love to another
human being is the greatest comparison to what we know as energy. Love is what
we draw from. I believe in our future as a clean energy planet. I see the
humanity in humanity and I know that what is needed will always provide itself.
We must come together, loving each other to heal the planet socially, mentally,
spiritually, and physically. I fear that if we don’t take these leaps, the
earth will cleanse itself of our influence. Therefore, let us use our influence
in a way that serves the planet, that serves our true nature. We are one, now
we must apply the knowledge.
Word Count 1142
Links to comments:
"Love is what we draw from." More poetry! And that's just what we need to get the message out, "to market" a clean and solar future with love.
ReplyDeleteAnd we need more ingenious innovation like that rechargeable backpack. Brilliant!
Here's how to cut your electricity bill by 75% - DIY HOME ENERGY.
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