Student: Ben Rathbun
Graduation date: May 2014
Type: Concentration (single major)
Date approved: November 2012
Summary
I would like to investigate the barriers, whether they be social, economic, political, or technological, to adopting new energy systems in sub-Saharan Africa. I will be traveling to Swaziland, South Africa and during my time I will be studying various issues surrounding biomass and woodfuel use for energy (cooking and heating). Culture and society in sub-Saharan Africa is much different than that of what many industrialized, Western societies are accustomed to. The scientific West has rationalized nature, thus creating the backbone of modern technological feats in attempts to impose logic and order to nature (Mumford 1969; Schlosser 2004; White 2011). Urban societies in sub-Saharan Africa seem to still hold a more indigenous harmony with nature; but, is this truly the case? If so, is this why implementation of new and/or efficient energy systems is so hard to adopt? Or, is it because of purely socio-economic reasons? The separation between science and society seems much greater in sub-Saharan Africa; however, what are the driving reasons behind why so much of sub-Saharan Africa still has been relying on unsustainable biomass fuel for cooking and heating? My concentration will be situated within the realms of, energy-efficient technologies, barriers to adoption and implementation of these technologies, and the societies within sub-Saharan Africa.
It is clear that households in sub-Saharan Africa are using outdated energy technologies. Abeeku Brew-Hammond in his background paper, “Challenges to Increasing Access to Modern Energy Services in Africa”, claims that 95% of sub-sahara Africa relies on biomass fuel for cooking and heating (Brew-Hammond 2007). Fuelwood, being an unregulated natural product of energy, is free of charge to collect. This provides huge incentive for households in rural areas to not switch to electricity, which must be paid for (Swaziland Environment Agency 2012). However, although biomass energy may be free of charge to collect, the time and energy expended to retrieve it is becoming an issue with increased degradation and unsustainable harvesting practices (Warwick and Doig 2004). Further, the high costs of extending electricity-transmission and distribution lines to the dispersed communities in rural areas is a major issue in adopting electricity as a new energy system (Swaziland Environment Agency 2012). In many parts of sub-Sahara Africa, biomass is the primary energy option to heat a house and cook for a family, and the use of technologically-advanced systems do not agree with traditional family methods. Additionally, the use of biomass fuel for those reliant on biomass in sub-Sahara Africa is projected to increase in the next few decades, which will prove to be an increasing struggle for locals as the surrounding trees and fuels become more scarce (Brew-Hammond 2007). Being economically handicapped (in comparison to an industrialized nation), there is not the option to either use an energy-sustainable household heating system, nor is there access healthy, safe cooking appliances. The Swaziland Environment Agency believes that in order for poor households to survive, a sustainable amount of fuelwood must be available; however, the high cost, lack of availably, and declining convenience of fuelwood are the major reasons for discontinuing the use of it (Swaziland Environment Agency 2012). Without sufficient economic stability, how will many households be able to adopt new energy systems? The Swazi Government has been attempting to provide and promote efficient wood stoves through the private sector and collaboration with the ministry of Agriculture (Swaziland Environmental Agency 2012). However, it seems as if the low density level of households within sub-Saharan Africa proves to be a major barrier in adopting energy efficient technologies to a majority of the population. What are the reasons for this lack technological implementation? Is it a lack of financial stability? Do these people even feel the need to switch to more energy efficient technologies? These are the questions that I will investigate thoroughly.
References
Brew-Hammond, Abeeku. “Challenges to increasing access to modern energy services in Africa.” In Energy Security and Sustainability in Africa, Kampala: Forum for Ministers of Energy in Africa (FEMA), pp. 1-21. 2007.
Mitchell, Donald. 2011. Biofuels in Africa: Opportunities, Prospects, and Challenges. World Bank Publications.
Schlosser, Eric. Fast food nation: The dark side of the all-American meal. Harper Perennial, 2004.
Swaziland Environment Agency. 2012. “Swaziland’s State of Environment Report 2012”. Mbabane, Swaziland: Swaziland Environment Agency. http://www.mediafire.com/view/?r9n7slnxaidkjhh.
White, Richard. The organic machine: The remaking of the Columbia River. Hill and Wang, 2011.
Warwick, Hugh, and Alison Doig. 2004. “Smoke–the Killer in the Kitchen.” International Technology Development Group (ITDG).[http://www. Itdg. Org/html/smoke/sm Oke_report_1. Htm]. http://72.26.206.144/sites/default/files/itdgSmokeReport.pdf.
Questions
- Evaluative: In what ways do economic and technological restrictions serve as barriers to adopting new energy systems in sub-Saharan Africa? How are these influenced by cultural, geophysical, and/or political factors? How is the situation in sub-Saharan Africa different, in respect to the barriers involved in adopting new energy systems, than in other parts of the world?
- Instrumental: Are there ways to overcome these barriers? If so, how?
Concentration courses
- HIST 298 (Environmental Histories of Science and Technology, 4 credits), spring 2013. This course will provide great backgrounds for what used to be controversial technologies, that are now more modernized than ever (and still controversial!). A history of technology-environment integration will help me understand previous controversy, as well as what has changed throughout the years.
- PSY 260 (Social Psychology, 4 credits), spring 2011. By investigating how the human brain perceives, influences and relates social situations, this course will further help me understand why humans act like they do in a social setting. More specifically, it can help me look at how social groups are formed and why they do or do not proceed with undertaking technologic innovations.
- SOAN 305 (Environmental Sociology, 4 credits), spring 2013. Looking at issues of environmental justice, social movements, and more will add to my investigation of how society reacts to environmental issues and solutions.
- Study Abroad in Swaziland, South Africa Summer 2013: ENVS 499 (Fuelwood in Swaziland), ENVS 200, IS 241.
Arts and humanities courses
- HIST 261 (Global Environmental History, 4 credits). Pre-approved A&H course; no justification required.
- PHIL 215 (Philosophy and the Environment, 4 credits). Pre-approved A&H course; no justification required.