40 Time September 23, 2019
VIEWPOINT 2050: THE FIGHT FOR EARTH
Climate Change is a global challenge that demands global
solutions. But we must acknowledge the fact that the most
underresourced parts of the world are bearing the brunt of
climate change, despite bearing the least responsibility for
rising emissions.
I have seen this with my own eyes in my native country
of Mozambique. Earlier this year, Cyclones Idai and Ken-
neth wrought devastating havoc there and in neighboring
Zimbabwe and Malawi. The city of Beira, one of the largest
in Mozambique, was all but wiped from the face of the earth.
Nationwide, more than 600 people were killed.
The impact will be felt for
years to come. But the authori-
ties don’t just have to repair
critical infrastructure. They
also have to prepare for the fu-
ture, potentially worse extreme
weather as the effects of climate
change worsen. And the politi-
cal, migratory and economic
disruption these effects set in
motion will be felt far beyond
Africa’s frontiers.
If we are to limit global
temperature increases, Africa
needs to develop in a way that
is truly sustainable. That means
sources of energy that are clean
and green— innovative re-
newables that will set a global
example.
Yet over half of people in sub-Saharan Africa today do
not have access to electricity, often having to resort to using
kerosene or cooking gas. Those who do have electricity often
find it unreliable or costly, and sub-Saharan Africa’s share
of the global energy-access deficit more than doubled from
1990 to 2016. African entrepreneurs are driving growth, but
inefficient electricity supply can hamper their efforts.
Investment in renewable energy is essential, and prog-
ress is being made: from 2014 to 2018, the World Bank pro-
vided more than $11.5 billion in financing for renewable
energy and energy efficiency. In Mozambique, for example,
a utility- scale solar power plant will help deliver power to
rural areas. In Ghana, the World Bank is helping fund solar
minigrids for about 10,000 people on islands in Lake Volta.
But international energy companies,
donors and investors have a pressing
responsibility to end financing of fossil-
fuel projects in Africa. Powerful wealthy
countries are still spending money so
poorer ones can burn more fossil fuels.
Japan’s three biggest banks— Mizuho
Financial Group, Mitsubishi UFJ Finan-
cial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Finan-
cial Group—have been some of the big-
gest lenders to coal development across
the globe, including in Africa. The U.K.
has spent as much underwriting fossil-
fuel projects overseas this decade as it
has on international climate funding.
If we are to limit global temperature
increases to 1.5°C, we should not be in-
vesting in new fossil-fuel infrastructure.
Governments in Africa and in lower-
income countries need to be more as-
sertive in pushing for clean energy and
action on climate change. They must re-
fuse to be passive recipients of external
aid regardless of strings attached. Politi-
cal leaders need to listen to civil society
and climate-change activists.
That’s what happened in Kenya,
where campaigners against what would
be the country’s first coal-fired power
plant succeeded in getting an environ-
mental license revoked, halting the
project. I hope these and other activists
inspire positive, radical action across
Africa.
With vision, investment and deter-
mination, Africa can be the launchpad
for a green-energy revolution that can
inspire the world. The time to act is
now. As Nelson Mandela said, “It always
seems impossible until it’s done.”Machel is a former Education Minister
of Mozambique and a founding member
of the Elders, a group of global leaders
advocating for peace, justice and
human rightsAfrica can be the
launchpad for a green-
energy revolution