By Alfrique Mwana and Angela Mutiso
Clean Energy Investments Can Help African Countries Build Resilience
The push for smart initiatives to curb carbon emissions and reduce global warming is a hot topic globally. Countries have embarked on mitigation measures to combat the effects of climate change, which is causing global havoc. Africa, a continent marginally responsible for global greenhouse gas emissions, paradoxically bears the brunt of climate change. This is characterized by extreme weather events, droughts, floods, and desertification, which disrupt livelihoods, food security, and overall development on a continent grappling with limited resources, infrastructure, and a heavy debt burden, hindering climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. Geopolitical factors and restricted access to innovative climate technologies further compound this, underscoring Africa’s vulnerability and the global inequities inherent in the climate crisis.
The initiative to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere, led by countries in the global North and China, involves creating forest cover in Africa that can absorb the carbon released into the air by industries in the global North. While Africa grapples with poverty and follows directives from the North to adopt clean energy, it continues to rely on fossil fuels to refine minerals extracted from its land, ultimately increasing carbon levels in the atmosphere. This situation raises significant ethical and environmental concerns throughout the entire process. Although producing electric vehicles (EVs) lowers carbon emissions, they cannot serve as a complete substitute for fossil fuels. According to CAYIMBY, an American real estate movement, EVs still generate carbon emissions due to particulate matter released from tires, brakes, and road dust. Additionally, EVs rely on lithium-ion batteries, which require an intensive manufacturing process.
In other words, the extraction of cobalt, lithium, and nickel, essential components in the production of EV batteries, demands substantial amounts of water and may release toxic chemicals harmful to the environment. Furthermore, the extraction and processing of these minerals necessitate heating the raw materials to elevated temperatures. CAYIMBY argues that the manufacturing of electric vehicles emits 80% more emissions than conventional fuel-powered cars. Reliance on technology inadvertently increases energy consumption and generates electronic waste. Furthermore, pursuing sustainable solutions can exacerbate economic inequalities, as these technologies are frequently costly and inaccessible to marginalized communities. Moreover, the emphasis on technological fixes can overshadow the critical need for systemic changes and behavioral shifts. These ironies underscore the complexity of addressing climate change and the imperative for holistic, equitable, and sustainable solutions.
As the countries in the global North ramp up efforts for Africa to increase tree planting to absorb greenhouse gases, they simultaneously rely on fossil fuels and renewable energy to boost their economies, thereby fostering dependency in Africa. This dependency has hindered Africa’s ability to think independently and utilize its raw materials for the benefit of its citizens. Africa has found itself vulnerable to exploitation by the global North and China under the guise of aid and development loans. These nations extract raw materials from Africa, leaving no advantages behind, and after processing these materials, they sell the finished products back to Africa at high prices. In pursuing these raw materials, the global North and China utilize fossil fuels, adding carbon to the atmosphere, which starkly contradicts their efforts to combat global warming. This situation exemplifies the adage of preaching water while drinking wine. Dr. Andrew Wambua from Africa Voices Dialogue emphasizes the need for a more holistic approach to addressing global warming, while acknowledging the role of electric vehicles in reducing atmospheric carbon levels. He advocates for the adoption of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower.
Climate experts indicate that major carbon emitters like China, the United States, India, Japan, and Russia depend on coal for their manufacturing industries. Dr. Wambua notes that while Africa contributes a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is crucial to incorporate clean energy solutions to enhance Africa’s climate prospects. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a nation abundant in natural resources, especially minerals, continues to grapple with poverty and instability. Scholars contend that this contradiction is primarily a result of foreign powers taking advantage of its mineral wealth. Although these powers frequently promote global peace and environmental sustainability, their actions in the DRC tell an entirely different narrative.
Professor Peter Kagwanja’s claim that Western nations have gained access to Congo’s minerals without contributing taxes serves as a powerful condemnation of the exploitation of the nation’s resources. The minimal expenses associated with mineral extraction sustain a cycle of poverty and conflict, further obstructing the DRC’s progress. The intense mining operations in Eastern Congo, celebrated for mineral wealth, bear considerable environmental repercussions. The mineral extraction process frequently leads to deforestation, soil degradation, and contamination of rivers and lakes with pollutants. Additionally, the combustion of fossil fuels to fuel mining activities escalates greenhouse gas emissions, worsening the global climate emergency.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a stark example of the global inequalities that persist in the 21st century. While the country is rich in natural resources, particularly minerals, it remains trapped in a cycle of poverty and instability mainly due to foreign powers’ exploitation of these resources. One of the most egregious examples of this exploitation is the extraction of minerals from the DRC by Western nations at minimal costs. These minerals are then used to manufacture various products, including solar panels, electric vehicle batteries, and other clean energy technologies. Ironically, the same Western nations extracting these minerals are also actively campaigning to reduce global carbon emissions. The hypocrisy of this situation is undeniable. While the West promotes sustainable development and environmental protection, its actions in the DRC reveal a double standard. The extraction of minerals from the DRC often involves using fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating the global climate crisis. Moreover, processing these minerals, particularly for clean energy technologies, can also be energy-intensive, further increasing carbon emissions.
As African countries struggle to develop and address their environmental challenges, including deforestation and pollution, Western nations continue to thrive, fueled by the exploitation of resources. This inequality underscores the systemic nature of the global climate crisis and the need for a more just and equitable approach to resource management. This situation is a reminder of the inter-connectedness of environmental, economic, and social issues. Exploiting the country’s resources perpetuates poverty and inequality and contributes to the global climate crisis. It is time for Africa to leverage fossil fuels and clean energy technologies to stimulate economic progress and development. By carefully balancing these energy sources, they can make the most of their natural resources while positioning themselves for a sustainable future. Fossil fuels, including oil, gas, and coal, remain a vital asset for numerous African countries. By establishing local industries centred around these resources, nations can generate jobs, develop expertise, and enhance the value of their exports. Instead of merely exporting unprocessed materials, refining and processing them domestically can significantly drive economic growth.
Furthermore, the revenues generated from fossil fuels can be utilized to enhance essential infrastructure, such as transportation, energy, and communication systems, which, in turn, fosters broader economic development. However, dependence solely on fossil fuels entails risks, particularly in light of global price fluctuations and the long-term environmental consequences. African nations can reinvest profits from fossil fuel sectors into diversifying their economies to alleviate these risks. This approach involves bolstering other industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and technology, which makes their economies more resilient against external shocks. Collaborative efforts among African countries can also optimize resource management across borders, improving energy security and decreasing costs.
Conversely, clean energy technologies provide a route toward sustainable development. Africa is rich in renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy. Countries can deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy by investing in these sectors, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Decentralized energy systems, such as off-grid and mini-grid solutions powered by renewables, can supply electricity to remote locations without costly infrastructure, stimulating economic activity and enhancing quality of life.
Collaborations with more developed countries and international organizations as partners can also assist in transferring clean energy technologies and fostering local expertise and innovation. Job creation is another vital component of clean energy advancement. The expansion of renewable energy sectors presents employment opportunities in areas such as manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and research. By investing in education and training initiatives, African nations can ensure their workforce is equipped to seize these emerging opportunities. African governments must implement clear and stable energy policies to oversee the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy effectively. These policies should promote investment in fossil fuels and renewables while encouraging public-private partnerships that can utilize private sector expertise and funding. Concurrently, it is imperative to ensure that energy projects are carried out in an environmentally and socially responsible way, safeguarding biodiversity and ensuring that local communities reap the benefits of development.
By combining fossil fuel-based power plants with renewable energy technologies, countries can ensure that more people can access reliable electricity, which is essential for driving education, healthcare, and business development. Moreover, clean energy investments can help African countries build resilience to climate change, protecting their economies from the adverse effects of environmental degradation.
As long as they strategically utilize fossil fuels and clean energy technologies, African nations can stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and build more resilient and sustainable economies.
Striking a balance between fossil fuel usage and renewable energy is essential. The main focus should be finding a suitable compromise between short-term benefits and long-term viability.
