SOUTH AFRICA MUST LEAD IN A BATTLE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

South Africa can lead in a battle against Climate Change

South Africa can influence the battle against climate change, being an active member of the African Union, a vocal member of the G77, and one of the four developing countries poised to become a southern engine of global economic growth.

Its powerful combination of strong international leadership, progressive thinking and forward-looking policies are reflected in its calls for dramatic cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions and for mechanisms to help vulnerable countries adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Despite this, South Africa is the 14th highest emitter of CO2 in the world with emissions likely to rise sharply as energy demands increase. Most of its carbon emissions, around 80 percent of its primary energy needs, come from coal. The government plans to re-commission several retired coal power stations, and build more in the coming decade, with the remaining increase in capacity expected to come from new nuclear power plants.

As countless examples around the world show, nuclear power is not clean, cheap or safe. South Africa planned new reactors include the untested Pebble Bed Modular Reactor, which will cost an estimated 14 billion Rand (US$1.58 billion). A move from highly polluting coal energy to expensive, risky nuclear energy is not a viable solution.

Recently the Green Peace report verified  the lack of political in renewable energy investment

Shortsighted energy choices, guided by vested interests in coal and nuclear power, are preventing millions of South Africans from accessing electricity.

In addition, misconceptions about what renewable energy can achieve and a lack of political will power remain major stumbling blocks in clean energy rollout. 

Two years after world leaders met in Durban for the UN talks, which failed to deliver a plan for a clean energy future, the question is whether Brazil, Russia India, China and South Africa (BRICS) can lead the way in renewable energy development.

South Africa’s current energy planning is dangerously short-sighted, ignoring the vast external costs of both coal and nuclear power, and fails to provide electricity for millions of citizens”.

“A roof-top revolution will speed up the uptake of renewable energy if local and national governments will agree to feed-in tariffs, net metering and other small scale renewable energy mechanisms,” said Greenpeace Climate and Energy Campaigner Ruth Mhlanga.

The question is why the South African government continues to use public funds for coal power plants and centralized energy distribution, when renewable energy is cheaper, provides universal access, and creates thousands more jobs that the government’s current energy plan.

“The falling costs of renewable energy compared to the rising costs of fossil fuels, such as coal, prove that the economics have already changed. These trends – highlighted in our report – show that the age of coal is over,” added Mhlanga as reported on green peace website.

South Africa can and should champion a renewable energy future, one in which we see increased access to cheap electricity, thousands of new jobs and the democratisation of energy production. An Energy [R]evolution is possible if our leaders are willing to champion the cause.

“South Africa, the BRICS bloc, and the rest of the world can no longer afford to wait – climate change is happening now. It is no longer technology, a lack of resources, nor even economics that are preventing an Energy [R]evolution – but misconceptions and a lack of political will.