In this episode of Cities 1.5, David speaks with two urban climate leaders about the critical issue of energy access in Africa. Despite Africa's low contribution to global emissions, the continent faces a rising energy demand that necessitates a transition to renewable energy in order to ensure its accessibility for all. The fossil fuel industry has a devastating legacy across the African continent, leaving a trail of destruction in its polluting wake...and the oil lobby often presents pipelines to local communities as the only path forward - without disclosing the fact that they’re more unstable, dangerous and expensive than green alternatives. City leaders from diverse communities across this part of the world are fighting to facilitate energy access through innovative local policies to achieve a healthy, sustainable, equitable, future for all residents.

Image Credit: Photo by Aaron Jones @ Unsplash

Featured guests:
Hilda Flavia Nakabuye is a youth climate, gender and environmental rights activist and founder of the Uganda chapter of Fridays for Future, who is fighting to stop the development of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

Dorah Modise is the Regional Director for Africa at C40 and is a sustainability enthusiast and expert.

LINKS:
Access to electricity - International Energy Agency
Fridays for Future: Uganda
Stop the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline
Global Witness condemns escalating arrests of climate campaigners in Uganda - Global Witness
Decarbonising the city’s grid through solar farming and efficiency measures - South Africa, Cape Town, C40 Cities Finance Facility
A renewable energy roadmap for African cities - C40 Knowledge Hub
C40 Cities launches research on South Africa green jobs
Cities forge connections with private sector at Africa’s Green Economy Summit - C40
Empowering African youth for a sustainable future in African cities - C40 

If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website: https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/

Cities 1.5 is a podcast by University of Toronto Press and is produced in association with the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy.

Our executive producers are Calli Elipoulos and Peggy Whitfield.
Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/
Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/
Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/