Climate Solutions and Political Change

Written by Caroline / 26 August 2009 / Read Caroline's latest blog entries.

It's so exciting when the work that young people do on the ground begins to be the influence for international political change! The example that Greenpeace's Solar Generation gave us in Kenya this week is one such example. 25 youth of Kibera participated in a twenty-day solar workshop, much like those we saw at Barefoot College in Rajasthan. They ended with the skills they need to install and maintain solar photovoltaic panels, to fabricate self-assembling solar lamps and to market all kinds of renewable energy technology. Robert Kheyi, project coordinator for the Kibera Community Youth Programme, said: “The workshop and practical installation of solar power are a critical opportunity for us to develop our own skills in renewable energy installation. Not only do we get to act against the devastating effects of climate change in Kenya, but also develop a source of revenue.”

Yet, this project is SO exciting because it combined this work on the ground with major political action. These young Kenyans began their work by installing solar panels on the Senator Barack
Obama School in Kogelo and on the roof of the house of Mama Sarah – the US President’s grandmother. Mama Sarah said: “I am very pleased that my home has been improved thanks to solar energy and I'll make sure my grandson hears about it. Solar power is clean, reliable and affordable, unlike paraffin that is widely used in the area. Also, we now have qualified youth in the
village who can help with the upkeep of the systems.” The rest is from Greenpeace's press release on August 20 about their project. I hope to share pictures soon!  

Kenya, like many other countries in Africa, is on the climate impacts frontline. It has seen a drastic reduction in rainfall in recent years. Drought has worsened problems in agriculture caused by poor land use and desertification, making Kenya’s large scale hydro power unreliable. Kenya is already seeing cross-boundary conflicts over dwindling water bodies, and this is expected to increase.

Faced with these challenges, investing in solar energy technologies is a win-win strategy. It strengthens the economy and protects the environment, while ensuring a reliable and clean energy supply. The solar industry is ready and able to deliver the needed capacity. There is no technical impediment to doing this, just a political barrier to overcome as we rebuild the global energy sector.

"It is time for the industrialised countries to give something back. At the Copenhagen Climate Summit this December President Obama and other world leaders must agree to avert further climate chaos including agreeing to fund projects like this throughout the developing world to
help them both adapt to and mitigate climate change.” said Abigail Jabines, Greenpeace Solar Generation campaign coordinator. Greenpeace is calling for rich countries to contribute US$140 billion annually to support climate adaptation, mitigation and forest protection in the developing world. With just 15 weeks left to go till the decisive UN climate talks in Copenhagen, Greenpeace urges world leaders to emulate the innovative young people of Kibera and Kogelo and translate
their climate rhetoric into action in Copenhagen.