Trade and Climate Policies Must Be Linked in Post-Kyoto World

Joshua S Hill — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:07:04 +0000

An article over at SciDev.net today has caught my attention, as it should yours. Written by Glen Peters, a senior research fellow at the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research in Oslo, Norway, the article focuses on the idea that in a post-Kyoto Protocol world, trade and climate policies must be linked.

Peters’ main example was, rightfully so, China, and the mixed responsibilities in ensuring that their export and trade industry does not single-handedly doom the planet to a carbon ridden future.

Sun-drenched Africa Not Reaping Benefits of Solar

Joshua S Hill — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:19:33 +0000

It is not a hard proposition to imagine that the continent of Africa has a large potential for being a generator of solar power. Just the ads from eager humanitarian organizations would shed a measure of light on the apparent vast stretches of nothing being drenched in sunlight.

Similarly, I do not think it is a hard proposition to imagine that Africa’s actual solar generation is miniscule, compared to the rest of the planet.

But rather than trying to focus blame within Africa, I think the blame must, as it does with much of the anthropogenic global warming, be laid at the feet of western nations for not doing more for Africa. Because while Africa may see the Sun create an average of 5 to 7 kilowatts per hour for every square meter across its surface, the money is simply not there for governments to spend on solar technology.

Green Options » western

Trade and Climate Policies Must Be Linked in Post-Kyoto World

Sun-drenched Africa Not Reaping Benefits of Solar