IN the run up to the upcoming COP28 climate summit set to commence on Thursday, African scientists and young activists have issued a fervent call for the continent to transition entirely to renewable energy, moving away from reliance on fossil fuels.
The plea was articulated in an open letter addressed to African heads of state and governments, unveiled in the Kenyan capital Nairobi earlier this week. The scientists conveyed their ‘deep concern over a resurgence of interest in oil, gas, and coal exploration on the continent, largely driven by former colonial and neocolonial powers.’
Renowned botanist Corneille Ewango Ekokinya, affiliated with the University of Kisangani in the Democrati
c Republic of Congo, voiced apprehension regarding Africa’s continued dependence on fossil fuels. He lamented, ‘Instead of catching up with the 21st century, we’re being locked into the old and dirty for the benefit of a few.’
Ekokinya decried the widespread adoption of new fossil fuel investments across Africa, emphasising its incompatibility with the 1.5°C warming limit outlined in the Paris Accord.
The open letter underscored the potential dire environmental and socioeconomic consequences of perpetuating the reliance on fossil fuels in Africa. The signatories warned that such a trajectory would be calamitous for the continent, exacerbating the climate crisis and entrenching a dependence on unsustainable energy sources.
The collective plea from African scientists and youth advocates implored leaders to reject investments in traditional fossil fuels. They advocated for a commitment to developing modern, decentralized renewable energy sources tailored to meet the continent’s expanding energy needs.
Proposing a bold visi
on for Africa’s energy future, the scientists and youth emphasized the importance of harnessing clean, renewable solar, wind, and geothermal sources. They argued that this transition is not only essential for environmental sustainability but also presents substantial economic opportunities, including job creation, enhanced energy security, and sustainable development.
Greenpeace Africa lauded the initiative, with Fred Niebuhr, the political advisor, stating, ‘By embracing clean energy and leapfrogging over fossil fuels, African leaders can safeguard their people, environment, and economies from the climate crisis’s devastating consequences.’
The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is scheduled to convene in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12. The open letter’s release adds a crucial voice to the global discourse on sustainable energy ahead of this pivotal summit.
