SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Affordable and Clean Energy, which is cheap and accessible is something we all want and something that we can have through renewable resources. However, one clean energy that is often put forward is that of nuclear energy. Yes, production gives of no air pollutants, the hot water at the end of the cooling process can be recycled for something else, but the end product of the nuclear rods is the greatest problem. Where do we put these very dangerous nuclear materials? The UK puts them into a crack in the sea bed between Ireland and Scotland. Some were found floating on a beach on the west coast of Scotland by children. The rods were still emitting radiation and as we all know radiation poisoning is not something anyone wants.
Tropical countries such as Uganda have the opportunity to harvest solar energy from the sun, but have not invested in this opportunity. Going for hydro electric and destroying the environment-Bujagali falls being a notable example.
Our environment is precious and we all must take note that we damage it at our cost. As we move forward we must be aware that what we do has an impact either positive or negative. We can make affordable and clean energy a reality, but it necessitates a change in our daily behaviour.
Climate change is a reality as we can see in the changes in Uganda weather pattern- more rain, more crops destroyed, less profit for our farmers, hotter and more humid weather. The usual was 260C a climate people were used to and coped with, but these changes have had their own effects.
Solar is there, biogas is there, hydro is there, the environment needs our protection. Look at what happened in Chernobyl, Ukraine and the devastation and mutilated children and adults. Do we want this for Uganda? Does Uganda not have enough with the emergence of non-communicable diseases on top of the array of communicable diseases present in the community? Safety and health failed in the Ukraine because people did not listen. Management was informed, but did not listen. When will people start listening?
If you can listen contact EISMAT at info@eismat.ac.ug/ 0705 336 066.
