Carbon emissions in Malawi

 

Villagers in southern Malawi display their prototype cook-stoves.

Concern Universal (2014). Malawi cookstoves. Photograph. At: Malawi: Irish Aid, [On Line] Accessed 28.11.2015. https://www.irishaid.ie/news-publications/news/newsarchive/2014/november/president-visits-cookstove-programme-malawi/.

 

Reading through an issue of New Scientist (21/11/15, issue number 3048) an article caught my attention.  Titled; ‘Up In Flames’, by Roger Harrabin, printed on page 26 - 27 of the magazine and discussing Africa in relation to climate change.  

The article is discussing Malawi and how, as Harrabin describes it, “pledges to curb carbon emissions in parts of Africa could falter given the hurdles ahead.” (Harrabin, 2015).   He describes how most electricity is derived from either solar power or hydropower.  Which at face value seems very 'green' indeed, however Harrabin goes on to explain that the country has one of the highest levels of deforestation in the world.  These trees are then often used for fuel for cooking, this also leaves exposed ground so along with less of our green leafed friends to take up CO² from the atmosphere, the exposed ground also releases CO². 



Deforestation, Mount Mulanje, Malawi

Marie-Marthe Gagnon (2009). Deforestation, Mount Mulanje, Malawi. Photograph. At: Mount Mulanje, Malawi: ©2008 Marie-Marthe, [On Line] Accessed 28.11.2015. https://www.flickr.com/photos/marie-2008/3297447049/in/gallery-123430817@N08-72157644144360746/.



The article also discusses issues of exposed soil in relation to surface water run-off, and how this affects rivers and aquifers as well the fact that surface water run off washes sediments into water systems that can then block and damage hydropower stations.  But this page is about CO² and global temperatures, so I’ll skim over that information.  However it does come full circle to impact on the CO² emissions, as unrealisable hydropower supplies means power black outs.  The country are now discussing the building of two new coal burning power stations to tackle this power short fall, effectively increasing the CO² output.  However, in light of the upcoming COP21 summit in Paris the country is pledging to tackle deforestation, and introduce effective stoves to the tune of 2 million by 2030 to reduce wood burning by half. 

Malawi are asking COP21 for assistance with the stove scheme implementation and tree planting programs, but unfortunately with an estimated population of 40 million by 2040 these stoves could have little impact on reducing wood fuel use. 

It may appear to a bystander that issues of CO² emission reductions and renewable energy sources at face value seem simple to manage, sadly it is not as simple as installing a solar panel and cutting down less trees.  The growth in population also must be considered in order to meet the needs of that population and reduce the impact on the environment, it is an incredibly complicated issues with no quick fixes. 

Reference;

Harrabin, R (2015). Up In Flames. New Science, 21st November 2015, p.26 - 27.