What Are the Hidden Environmental Costs of Solar Energy?

Wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and biofuels are some of the renewable energy resources. They are said to be green because they come from natural sources, are constantly replenished, and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to coal, oil, and gas. But, if these technologies end up in open landfills after their life, with the minerals thy are made of polluting water, and soils, are they truly green?On this episode, let's explore the renewable energy hidden environmental costs of Solar Energy

The area around Kenya's Lake Naivasha, including Kihoto, is considered part of the broader Lake Naivasha wetland ecosystem, as it is within its riparian land. On this episode we look into the history of flooding in Lake Naivasha and how settlements like Kihoto came about, as well as why this wetland is of huge importance. But first, what are wetlands, and why are they important? 

As the climate crisis continues, come with me to Syethe village, southeast of Kenya's capital, Nairobi where we meet a group of women earning a living by weaving and selling handbags in addition to farming. With these easily accessible skills, materials and capitalising on technologies such as WhatsApp how are they helping breed a new culture of #resilience in times of changing agricultural fortunes? Let's find out together!

As the climate crisis continues, come with me to Syethe village, southeast of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi where we meet a group of women earning a living by weaving and selling handbags in addition to farming. With these easily accessible skills, materials and capitalising on technologies such as WhatsApp how are they helping breed a new culture of #resilience in times of changing agricultural fortunes? Let's find out together!

Clear frameworks for community benefit sharing in the mining and renewable energy sectors are essential.However, Manson Gwanyanya, the researcher and representative for South and Anglophone Africa at the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, told the African Climate Conversations podcast that implementing these existing frameworks is key to delivering a shared prosperity for the communities whose land and resources are crucial for the energy transition in Africa.”.Demand for critical minerals is set to grow by three and a half times by 2030 as the world transitions from fossil fuels to renewable energy in order to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2050. The African continent is home to massive transition mineral resource bases and enormous renewable energy potential, given its vast tracts of open land and favourable solar and wind conditions. But how well prepared is the continent for the critical mineral and renewable investment boom?

Clear frameworks for community benefit sharing in the mining and renewable energy sectors are essential.However, Manson Gwanyanya, the researcher and representative for South and Anglophone Africa at the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, told the African Climate Conversations podcast that implementing these existing frameworks is key to delivering a shared prosperity for the communities whose land and resources are crucial for the energy transition in Africa.".Demand for critical minerals is set to grow by three and a half times by 2030 as the world transitions from fossil fuels to renewable energy in order to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2050. The African continent is home to massive transition mineral resource bases and enormous renewable energy potential, given its vast tracts of open land and favourable solar and wind conditions. But how well prepared is the continent for the critical mineral and renewable investment boom?

Sensors on aeroplanes measure wind speed, humidity, and temperature, which is crucial for weather forecasting. As climate-related extreme events increase in frequency and intensity, effective weather-related infrastructure is critical not just for the agriculture sector but also development sectors such as agriculture, industries, and communities, which require timely, accurate data to adapt to the changing climate and mitigate future losses. On today's episode, Dr. Abubakr Salih Babiker, a Technical Coordinator for Meteorological Infrastructure for Africa at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), explains the role airlines can play in bridging the current gaps in weather and climate data.

Sensors on aeroplanes measure wind speed, humidity, and temperature, which is crucial for weather forecasting. As climate-related extreme events increase in frequency and intensity, effective weather-related infrastructure is critical not just for the agriculture sector but also development sectors such as agriculture, industries, and communities, which require timely, accurate data to adapt to the changing climate and mitigate future losses. On today's episode, Dr. Abubakr Salih Babiker, a Technical Coordinator for Meteorological Infrastructure for Africa at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), explains the role airlines can play in bridging the current gaps in weather and climate data.

Our children are the next generation. We, as humans, pass on our legacy to them, whether good or bad. The environment underpins humans’ survival today and tomorrow. As the world warms, it’s important to remember the vital role the environment's natural resources, such as forests, play in balancing human activities such as the burning of coal and other fossil fuels and reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.Hence, teaching our children about the environment and the need to protect it at an early age is critical. Environmental education helps children understand the importance of preserving our natural resources and provides them with the tools to become responsible environmental stewards.Teacher Nzuu Boniface, the environmental club leader at the Msoa SDA primary school in Makueni County, Kenya has been teaching pupils to protect the environment by planting trees and handling waste materials. What are the benefits?

Our children are the next generation. We, as humans, pass on our legacy to them, whether good or bad. The environment underpins humans' survival today and tomorrow. As the world warms, it's important to remember the vital role the environment's natural resources, such as forests, play in balancing human activities such as the burning of coal and other fossil fuels and reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.Hence, teaching our children about the environment and the need to protect it at an early age is critical. Environmental education helps children understand the importance of preserving our natural resources and provides them with the tools to become responsible environmental stewards.Teacher Nzuu Boniface, the environmental club leader at the Msoa SDA primary school in Makueni County, Kenya has been teaching pupils to protect the environment by planting trees and handling waste materials. What are the benefits?