Time for the U.S. to Turn on the Lights in Africa

Time for the U.S. to Turn on the Lights in Africa

Let's look beneath the Green slogans at what the absence of access to electricity means for far too many Africans. It means mothers burning animal dung for heat, when long-term exposure to the airborne particulate matter in dung cake "has been associated with increased rates of acute respiratory infections, chronic obstructive lung disease and cancer." As for burning wood for fuel, according to the United Nations, 12 million hectares is lost each year to desertification, most of it in Africa. The lack of electric refrigeration in vast parts of Africa limits the diets of malnourished children, raises the prospect of food-borne illness and prevents the storage of life-saving medications. It's not hyperbole to say that the lack of power is a leading cause of early death in Africa.

Read Full Article »
Comment
Show commentsHide Comments

Related Articles