Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

The purpose of the Electrifying Africa Project is to demonstrate the technological feasibility, economic viability, environmental and climate change benefits, and positive social impacts of an electricity delivery system that is designed from the start as a process for dealing with climate change and equitable electricity access. From replacing existing fossil fuel use to avoiding all future uses, to the mass-production of solar, wind, small-scale hydro, wave and geothermal and other scalable renewable energy sources in Africa by Africans, to providing economic and employment opportunities for millions of people in Africa‚ the Project will use the delivery of electricity to those without access as a vehicle for regenerative economic development.

The Electrifying Africa Project was formed a year ago as a suitable focus for the Global Solutions Lab. It is in its start-up phase. The Lab already has twelve people registered from the Ivory Coast.

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

One of the Electrifying Africa Project's deliverables will be a new zero-carbon electricity system for Africa. This plan will include a phase-out of the $53 billion in fossil fuel subsidies in Africa, and all use of fossil fuels. It will include the phase-in of Africa's vast renewable energy resources and human skills. Historically, Africa has made a very small contribution to global GHG emissions, but has and will continue to suffer damages caused by climate change. (GHG emissions in Africa are 2-3% of world totals, population is 15%.) One of the goals of the project will be to develop a business plan for the roll-out of a huge nature-based carbon-capture industry based in Africa that generates revenue that is used to accelerate and expand the Electrifying Africa system to other parts of the African economy (green technology for manufacturing, mining, transportation, regenerative agriculture, etc.), and to meet basic human needs in Africa and to export renewable energy technology and know-how to other parts of the world.

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

The Electrifying Africa Project will develop a series of manuals for use at the village, town, neighborhood, and school level. These will be designed to be used by the people who live in the areas impacted by the conversion to the renewable electricity system.

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