Energy experts seek transformative energy power struggle in off grid African communities

By Elias Ntungwe Ngalame

TORONTO, Canada (PAMACC News) - Energy experts say emerging technology, social and business innovations are offering enormous possibilities for over 2 billion people in off grid communities especially in Africa to access energy resources that will radically transform their lives through improvements in education, business, agriculture health care and other spheres.

The application of increasingly low-cost modular renewable energy technologies to Africa’s emerging markets also offers an opportunity to mitigate the effects of climate change and enable energy poor communities to become leaders in the global shift towards decarbonization, the energy experts pointed out at the end of a four day WGSI (Waterloo Global Science Initiative)Open Access Energy Summit in Waterloo Toronto Canada, April 22-27,2016.

At last, Kenya signs bill into climate change law

By David Njagi

Dr Ottichilo (left) in an interview with a PAMACC Journalist

NAIROBI, Kenya (PAMACC News) – After years of wheeler dealing, Kenya finally has a climate change law.

The 2014 Climate Change Authority Bill has finally been signed into law by President Uhuru Kenyatta on May 06, 2016 after going through the third reading in Parliament.

“We discussed the Bill’s progress with the President during this year’s World Economic Forum in New York,” said Wilbur Ottichilo, the Parliamentary Network on Renewable Energy and Climate Change (PNRECC) chairman. “He promised to assent to it as soon as it passes through the committee stage.”

Sowing the Seeds of Africa’s Success

Hon Amina. (Photo: http://dailymail.com.ng)

By Amina Mohammed, Minister of Environment for Nigeria

Africa’s transformation lies in the continent’s rich soil. If we protect the ecosystems that sustain us we can lift Africans out of poverty, achieve food security, build climate resilience, create wealth and end hunger.

THERE is an old Nigerian proverb that says “fine words do not produce food”. So I will keep my words as simple and clear as possible.

Africa is facing a harsh reality. One in every two people on the continent lives in extreme poverty.In 15 years, most of the world’s poor will reside herein Africa.Sadly,as I write,about 240 million people go to bed hungry every night while malnutrition kills more than 50% of the African children who die before they reach the age of five.

The Natural Jewels in Africa’s Crown

Hon. Tshekedi S. Khama (ITB Berlin)

By Hon. Tshekedi S. Khama, Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism of Botswana

IT is impossible to look out over the winding waterways and lush green wetlands of the magnificent Okavango Delta and fail to understand the importance of conserving the natural world.

A World Heritage Site teeming with plants, fish, birds and home to some of the planet’s most endangered animals, the delta is one of Botswana’s – and Africa’s – most impressive natural jewels.

It is clear that the world has a moral obligation to save areas of wild beauty like these: the planet would be poorer without them.

UN Environment Programme Executive Director Statement on Paris Agreement Signing

New York, 22 April, 2016 - UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Achim Steiner released the following statement on the occasion of the opening day for the signing of the Paris Agreement:

"In Paris, the world's nations agreed that climate change is a threat to planetary well-being. Having over 160 countries sign the Paris Agreement in New York on its opening day is proof positive that the world is committed to a global response to this threat.

Africa declares all-out war on energy poverty

By Atayi Babs

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has declared its resolve to eliminate energy poverty in the continent of Africa.

AMCEN President & UNEP Rep at the plenary (PHOTO: PAMACC/Atayi Babs)

Addressing a high-level panel comprising African ministers of the environment and heads of country delegations at the ongoing 6th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Cairo today, the AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina revealed that over 645 million Africans have no access to electricity and have become accustomed to living in darkness.

Represented by Prof. Anthony Nyong, the AfDB president decried the fact that over 600,000 women and children in Africa die each year from indoor smoke inhalations while trying to prepare meals for their families.  According to him, the brakes being applied on Africa's development by the obvious lack of energy leaves the AfDB with no choice than to declare an all-out war against energy poverty in Africa.

Nigeria lobbies AMCEN for UNEA Vice Presidency

Alh. Usman Jibril, Nigeria's Minister of state, Environment
(PHOTO: PAMACC/Atayi Babs)

By Atayi Babs

Nigeria's aspiration for the vice presidency of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) received a major boost today as the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) was officially informed today.

Speaking to over 40 Ministers of the environment and heads of country delegations at the 6th special session of the conference in Cairo today, Alh. Ibrahim Usman Jibril, Nigeria's Minister of state for Environment who represented the senior minister, expressed the country's delight to present Mrs. Amina Mohammed for nomination as one of the two Vice Presidents from Africa on the bureau of the UNEA 2.