African Climes

Energy efficiency refers to the excellent, total and complete utilization of lesser amounts of energy to perform a particular task. In simple terms, it’s wholly using less energy to do more. Energy efficiency is one of the solutions used in climate change mitigation, alongside nature based solutions, carbon capture and storage and renewable energy. First, energy efficiency ensures that lesser amounts of energy are used and therefore lesser amounts of energy are generated. Given that fossil fuels contribute to slightly more than three quarters of energy used in the world, being energy efficient would reduce the amount of carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. This is effectively climate action. Using energy efficiently can be applied everywhere but the main focus is industries, household use, transport and buildings In households, a lot of the energy consumed is by appliances. Using newer and more modern versions of appliances reduces the amount ...

Energy is connected to water as water is connected to energy while both are influenced by climate change, further altering the dynamics of this relationship. A growing world population means more energy and water will be needed. Energy is used in withdrawal, transport, processing and cleaning of water. Water withdrawal refers to removal/collection of water from source. Energy is used to pump water from surface water (lakes, springs, rivers and even oceans) and transport it to processing plants. Here, the water is cleaned and purified according to its various purposes. Large scale distillation and chlorination, done to make water potable (drinkable) all require quite the amount of energy. Energy is then used to transport and distribute this water to households. The Kaptis Hydropower plant (image: Africa Energy Portal) Industries and farms require a different quality of water but energy is also used in water treatment and transport/ distribution especially over long distances. The ...

Energy is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing over two thirds of the share. This is from industry, electricity production, transport and heating/cooling. When combined, all these sectors using energy in one form or the other produce over 75% of emissions from the global tally. When we talk of energy and the emissions produced, it refers to fossil fuels (coal, gas and oil) which are the main source of energy used in the planet. In the year 2018, 81% of all energy used was fossil fuels. Energy is necessary for economic development, and so fossil fuels have been used since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution to power economic growth. Of note is that these emissions largely come from the developed world, the west, with 75% of current emissions from the G20 countries. In the EU, energy produced 78% of carbon emissions in the year 2015. Energy security is defined as the constant supply of energy at inexpensive prices. Long term energy security is the abilit...