The advantages of using alternative energies


Norwegian and South African Officials Discuss Ways to Combat Global Warming

African countries generate less than threeStoltenberg's remarks have particular
percent of the world's greenhouse gasrelevance for South Africa, which is one of
emissions, which is the type of pollutionthe continent's biggest polluters. If power
that causes global warming. But Africans areplants worldwide can clean up their
likely to be hardest hit by the effects ofsmokestack pollution, more than 25 percent of
that pollution. On Friday, officials fromthe climate change problem could be solved.
Europe and South Africa met to discuss waysSouth Africa's Minister of Environment and
to ease the impact of climate change onTourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk,
Africa.  For  VOA, Terry FitzPatrick reports.acknowledges his country has a unique set of
problems.
Africa's economy depends heavily on
agriculture, which makes it especially"We know as a country that we will have to
vulnerable to changes in climate. Experts saymake plans to adapt to the effects of climate
the economic burden of global warming canchange. But we also know that we have a role
offset  the  benefits  of  international aid.to play with regard to mitigation. Ninety
percent of our energy is coal-fired energy in
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens StoltenbergSouth Africa. And we know that we cannot
says  the  problems  have  already  begun.continue  in  that  way."
"Africa is already seriously affected byThe United Nations Kyoto Protocol process
climate change: flooding, droughts, reducedaims to make clean technology available for
agricultural capacity," said Stoltenberg. "Sodeveloping countries, with wealthier nations
climate change is very serious for the wholepaying the cost. The process is also creating
world but it's of particular concern fora fund to help Africa prepare for the impact
Africa."of  changing  climate.
Stoltenberg was speaking at a roundtableBut Van Schalkwyk is worried what will happen
conference sponsored by the South Africanin 2012 when the current Kyoto commitments
National Biodiversity Institute. He saysrun out. He says the recent climate talks in
wealthy nations created the world's climateBali brought the United States closer to
problem, but African countries will have toconsensus with other nations. But he says
help  in  cutting  greenhouse  gas pollution.there  is  more  work  to  be  done.
"It is the rich world that has been the main"The step that the United States took in Bali
polluters during many years," saidwas a first step, but it was basically an
Stoltenberg. "But at the same time it isinfant step," said Van Schalkwyk. "So I don't
impossible to have big enough reductionsthink it's any secret to say that we will
without also including the developing world."continue to put pressure on the United
States.



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