Global Warming Blamed For Energy Crisis

AN ENVIRONMENTAL Scientist, Mr. Padmore Baffour Adjapong says global warming - an increase in temperature of the world - is the cause of Ghana's current energy crisis that is suffocating businesses in the country.

He believes the increase in temperature has put much stress on water supplies to the Akosombo hydroelectric dam, from where the country generates the highest percentage of electricity for industrial and domestic usages.

According to him, the world's temperature now stands at 0.8 degrees resulting from unwanted human practices and activities to the environment with rippling effects on rivers and water bodies in the African continent.

"The past 10 out of the 14 years have recorded the highest temperature increase of the world and if care is not taken the figure could hit 1.8 or 2.0, and the effects will be disastrous for Africa, Ghana included," Mr. Adjapong warned.

In a telephone interview with The Chronicle, the Environmental Scientist who was a Member of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, said between 2010 and 2015, it is expected that Africa would experience a decline in Agricultural areas resulting in diminished food security, increasing occurrence of drought, stresses on water supplies, destruction of eco-system and loss of bio-diversity, including some major species.

His comments come on the heels of an environmental day celebration that falls on June 5 every year since its promulgation.

According to him, leaders of this country continue to ignore environmental sustainability, which is seventh on the UN Millennium Development Goals, in discussions and policy implementation, and added that the current energy crisis should serve as a wake up call to Ghanaians.

Mr. Adjapong believed power brokers and shakers of this country know this global phenomenon and its adverse effect on the nation, but have given it a blind eye and instead engage in blame game - on who does what and who did not do what.

He noted that sustainable environment also involves proper waste management and sound environmental practice while providing some solutions to the menace.

According to him, reforestation at riverbanks and depleting agricultural lands, proper waste management as well as a workable solution to increasing pollution by world leaders can help stabilize the menace of global warming.