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25 Poorest Countries in the World
By Samuel Stebbins and Joseph Gedeon November 30, 2017 3:03 pm EST
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Source: derejeb / iStock
25. Tanzania
> GNI per capita: $900
> 2016 GDP: $47.4 billion
> Population: 55.6 million
> Life expectancy: 64.9 years at birth
What sets Tanzania apart from many other African countries is domestic and political stability. Unfortunately, this has not translated into economic prosperity for its citizens. The country’s GNI per capita is $900, despite a low unemployment rate of 2.7%. Tanzania’s economy depends heavily on agriculture, which contributed 31.1% to the country’s GDP in 2016.The country’s agricultural production is largely for internal consumption, and Tanzania’s top export is gold.
However, like many of the poorest countries, Tanzania’s economic growth of 7% in 2016 was faster than the 2.4% average growth worldwide.
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Source: CleoAnne / iStock
24. Benin
> GNI per capita: $820
> 2016 GDP: $8.6 billion
> Population: 10.9 million
> Life expectancy: 60.6 years at birth
Slave ships used to depart from the shores of this western African country, which today has one of the worst economic environments in the world. Due in large part to bribable public officials, Transparency International considers Benin to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Like many of the poorest countries in the world, Benin’s economy depends heavily on its resources. For example, cotton, coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews account for over half of the country’s total exports.
While Benin has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world, at 1%, it also has one of the highest illiteracy rates. Less than 33% of Benin residents 15 and older were considered literate in 2012.
Source: Thinkstock
23. Haiti
> GNI per capita: $780
> 2016 GDP: $8.0 billion
> Population: 10.8 million
> Life expectancy: 63.0 years at birth
Haiti is the poorest nation in the Caribbean and one of the poorest countries in the world. The typical Haitian lives on less than $800 a year.
Economic strife in Haiti is largely a product of the country’s history. After overthrowing France, its colonial ruler in in the early 19th century, Haiti was forced to pay its former sovereign an “independence debt” for nearly a century and a half. In the country’s more recent history, economic prosperity has been stymied by authoritarian leaders, instability, and natural disasters — including the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the island nation in 2010. A largely labor based economy, the knitting industry comprises nearly 70% of Haiti’s total exports.
Source: Thinkstock
22. Comoros
> GNI per capita: $760
> 2016 GDP: $616.7 million
> Population: 0.8 million
> Life expectancy: 63.5 years at birth
With a GDP of only $616.7 million, Comoros’ economy is one of the smallest in the world. Adjusted for the country’s 800,000 residents, people in Comoros live on less than $800 a year, on average. Like many poor nations, economic prosperity in Comoros is hindered by bribable public officials, unreliable institutions, and misappropriated public funds. According to Transparency International, Comoros is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Rampant corruption and political instability partially explain why the country has endured more than a dozen coups or attempted coups.
Today, Comoros’ unemployment rate is one of the world’s highest, at 20%. Heavily resource dependent, Comoros’ economy is often at the mercy of volatile commodity prices. In 2015, cloves accounted for well over half of the island country’s exports.
Source: Thinkstock
21. Mali
> GNI per capita: $750
> 2016 GDP: $14.0 billion
> Population: 18.0 million
> Life expectancy: 57.5 years at birth
Due to a 23-year military dictatorship, droughts, and rebellion, Mali has been unable to regain its northern city Timbuktu’s former status as a key cultural and trade region of Africa. The country has been plagued by a recent rise in Islamic insurgency, which caused France to intervene militarily in 2013 and later for the UN to sponsor a ceasefire. Despite recent conflict, Mali’s economy is growing relatively rapidly. The landlocked African nation’s GDP expanded by 5.3% in 2016, far faster than the comparable 2.4% global economic growth.
Many of the world’s poorest countries are resource rich and heavily dependent on agriculture — and Mali is no different. Gold accounted for 72% of the country’s total exports in 2016. Additionally, farming accounts for 40.7% of the country’s total economic output.
20. Nepal
> GNI per capita: $730
> 2016 GDP: $21.1 billion
> Population: 29.0 million
> Life expectancy: 69.9 years at birth
A landlocked country in between India and China, Nepal has been recovering from a decade-long Maoist insurgency that ended in 2006. This led the country to transition from a monarchy to a democracy at the cost of 17,000 lives during the 10 years of fighting.
Though the country’s new found stability has helped the economy, Nepal still faces challenges. The country’s GDP grew by only 0.6% in 2016, well below global economic growth of 2.4%. Heavily dependent on farming, agriculture accounts for 33.0% of the country’s GDP. Today, the average Nepalese citizen lives off of about $730 a year.
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Source: Thinkstock
19. Chad
> GNI per capita: $720
> 2016 GDP: $9.6 billion
> Population: 14.5 million
> Life expectancy: 52.6 years at birth
Due to a range of economic and political factors, the citizens of countries rich with oil, minerals, and other resources are often among the poorest people in the world. Chad is no exception. The country’s economy is heavily dependent on its gold, uranium, and oil deposits and is anything but diversified. About half of the country’s economic output comes from agriculture, and crude oil represents 93% of its exports.
Like many of the world’s poorest countries, many in Chad suffer from poor health. Life expectancy at birth in the landlocked African nation is only 52.6 years.
Source: Sloot / iStock
18. Rwanda
> GNI per capita: $700
> 2016 GDP: $8.4 billion
> Population: 11.9 million
> Life expectancy: 66.6 years at birth
In the mid-1990s, the landlocked country of eastern-central Africa experienced one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history when an estimated 800,000 people had been killed in 100 days of state-funded genocide. Since then, the government has made a turnaround, with 16.6% of government spending going into education. Additionally, Rwanda’s government and institutions are the least corrupt of the countries on this list, according to Transparency International. Some 31.5% of Rwanda’s 2016 GDP comes from agriculture, which helped boost GDP by nearly 6% in 2016. Refined petroleum and tea are the country’s top exports, representing 17% and 12% of total exports, respectively.
Source: imagexphoto / iStock
17. Uganda
> GNI per capita: $660
> 2016 GDP: $25.5 billion
> Population: 41.5 million
> Life expectancy: 59.5 years at birth
Though conditions have improved dramatically since Idi Amin was forced from power in 1979, according to Transparency International, Uganda is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Bribable public officials, untrustworthy institutions, and misappropriated public funds all hinder economic development in the landlocked African nation.
Despite widespread corruption, GDP growth is relatively rapid in Uganda. The country’s 4.6% economic growth in 2016 was faster than the 2.4% global economic growth the same year. Still, the average annual income of a Ugandan is only $660, nearly $10,000 less than the global average.
Source: Thinkstock
16. Ethiopia
> GNI per capita: $660
> 2016 GDP: $72.4 billion
> Population: 102.4 million
> Life expectancy: 65.0 years at birth
Like many of the world’s poorest countries, Ethiopia’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture. Over a third of the east African nation’s $72.4 billion GDP is generated through farming. An over reliance on agriculture is especially problematic in Ethiopia as the country frequently faces droughts that result in famine.
Despite low incomes, Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing economies. The country’s GDP expanded by 7.6% in 2016, more than triple the global economic growth rate.
15. Burkina Faso
> GNI per capita: $640
> 2016 GDP: $12.1 billion
> Population: 18.6 million
> Life expectancy: 59.8 years at birth
Burkina Faso, which means “the land of honest men,” has one the least corrupt governments among the poorest countries in the world, according to Transparency International. Recurring droughts and military coups have hindered development in the landlocked West African country, which relies on agriculture for 32.6% of its GDP. Despite recent economic hardship, Burkina Faso experienced a growth of nearly 6% of its annual GDP in 2016 — more than double global economic growth. Accounting for 73% of Burkina Faso’s exports, Gold dominates the country’s $3.5 billion export industry.
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Source: Thinkstock
14. Guinea-Bissau
> GNI per capita: $620
> 2016 GDP: $1.1 billion
> Population: 1.8 million
> Life expectancy: 57.0 years at birth
Guinea-Bissau has several high hurdles to clear before it can achieve lasting economic prosperity. For example, less than half of the country’s 15 and older population could read as of 2014. Additionally, life expectancy in Guinea-Bissau is only 57 years at birth — well below the global average of nearly 72 years.
Like many of the world’s poorest countries, Guinea-Bissau’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture and natural resources. Coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews accounted for 84% of the the country’s exports in 2015. Additionally, agriculture accounted for 43.7% of the country’s economic output in 2013.
Source: Thinkstock
13. Afghanistan
> GNI per capita: $580
> 2016 GDP: $19.5 billion
> Population: 34.7 million
> Life expectancy: 63.3 years at birth
Like many of the world’s poorest countries, Afghanistan has been mired in conflict on and off for decades. Today, the country is grappling with increasing Taliban activity and ranks among the most corrupt countries in the world, according to Transparency International.
Joblessness is a considerable problem in Afghanistan. Some 8.6% of the country’s labor force are out of a job compared to a 5.8% global unemployment rate. Economically dependent on agriculture, grapes and vegetable saps represent the top commodity for export in the country, making up 20% and 18% of total exports, respectively. Agriculture as a whole accounts for 21.9% of economic activity in the country.
Source: Thinkstock
12. Togo
> GNI per capita: $540
> 2016 GDP: $4.4 billion
> Population: 7.6 million
> Life expectancy: 59.9 years at birth
With a GNI of only $540 per capita, Togo is heavily dependent on foreign aid. As is often the case in poor nations, agriculture is the primary economic engine in Togo. About 41% of Togo’s GDP is generated through farming.
Inadequate education systems present a major obstacle to economic development in Togo, as only 63.7% of the country’s 15 and over population are literate. Togo is among a minority of countries in which average life expectancy at birth is less than 60 years.
Source: Thinkstock
11. Sierra Leone
> GNI per capita: $490
> 2016 GDP: $3.7 billion
> Population: 7.4 million
> Life expectancy: 51.4 years at birth
Economic growth in Sierra Leone has been stymied by a devastating civil war that ended only 15 years ago. The West African nation is one of only 11 countries in which the average citizen lives on less than $500 per year. People who are struggling financially are more likely to be unhealthy, and life expectancy in Sierra Leone is nearly the lowest in the world, at only about 51 years at birth.
Today, corruption, a poorly educated workforce, and access to financing are all major impediments for the country’s economic development, according to the World Economic Forum. The country ranks among the most corrupt in the world by Transparency International, and fewer than a third of residents 15 and older are literate.
10. Guinea
> GNI per capita: $490
> 2016 GDP: $6.3 billion
> Population: 12.4 million
> Life expectancy: 59.4 years at birth
For a variety of economic and political reasons, resource-rich countries often rank among the poorest in the world. Guinea is one such country. Aluminum ore comprised 30% of the country’s $2.5 billion in exports in 2015, and gold accounted for 38%. Overly dependent on its resources, agriculture accounts for over one-fifth of the country’s GDP. Stronger educational systems would likely help spur economic growth as less than a third of Guineas age 15 and older are literate.
As the country struggles to adequately care for its own citizens, its economy is being strained by hundreds of thousands of refugees coming from neighboring Sierra Leone and Liberia.
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Source: Mozambique
9. Mozambique
> GNI per capita: $480
> 2016 GDP: $11.0 billion
> Population: 28.8 million
> Life expectancy: 57.6 years at birth
Mozambique has faced a variety of issues since gaining its independence from Portugal in 1975. Political tension, the effects of a 16-year civil war, and corruption weigh on the country’s economy. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2017 Global Competitiveness Report, corruption is the second most problematic factor for doing business in Mozambique, behind access to financing. As a result of the country’ economic struggles, over 24% of its workforce is unemployed.
The country’s economic future may be looking up as Mozambique discovered gas fields off its coastline in 2011. Today, energy sources, including petroleum, account for nearly a third of the country’s $6.1 billion in annual exports.
Source: HomoCosmicos / iStock
8. The Gambia
> GNI per capita: $440
> 2016 GDP: $1.0 billion
> Population: 2.0 million
> Life expectancy: 61.0 years at birth
Emerging from 22 years of authoritarian rule under president Yahya Jammeh in 2016, The Gambia is grappling with widespread economic strife. Despite newly found political freedom, many of the country’s residents are among the poorest people in the world. The average resident lives on only about $440 a year.
Economic prosperity is hindered considerably by corruption, and at nearly 30%, unemployment is higher in The Gambia than in every other country on this list. Heavily dependent on agriculture and natural resources, The Gambia’s export market is dominated by two industries: the sale of rough wood at 43% of total exports and nuts at 34%.
Source: Thinkstock
7. Democratic Republic of Congo
> GNI per capita: $420
> 2016 GDP: $35.0 billion
> Population: 78.7 million
> Life expectancy: 59.2 years at birth
Home to nearly 79 million people, the Democratic Republic of Congo is among the most populous countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Its $35 billion economy is also nearly the largest among countries on this list. However, adjusting for the population, the DRC is nearly the poorest country in the world.
Like many of the world’s poorest countries, DRC is resource rich and heavily dependent on farming. The country’s rich soil and abundant deposits of uranium, cobalt, gold, and diamonds have lead to civil wars that have claimed millions of lives. Agriculture accounts for over 20% of the country’s total economic output.
Source: Thinkstock
6. Madagascar
> GNI per capita: $400
> 2016 GDP: $10.0 billion
> Population: 24.9 million
> Life expectancy: 65.5 years at birth
Known for its distinct wildlife not found anywhere else in the world, Madagascar is a tourist hub that is also one of the poorest countries in the world. The country is gradually shifting from its agricultural economy, with farming contribution to economic output dropping from 28.4% to 24.4% of total GDP in the last five years. Madagascar has a relatively low unemployment rate of 2.3% compared to the global average of 5.8%. The country’s two primary exports are vanilla and raw nickel, accounting for 19% and 18% of total exports, respectively.
5. Niger
> GNI per capita: $370
> 2016 GDP: $7.5 billion
> Population: 20.7 million
> Life expectancy: 59.7 years at birth
Rated by the UN as one of the least developed countries in the world, Niger struggles with droughts, political instability and insurgency. In fact, basic human rights are still a major issue in the country, with slavery only being banned in 2003. A strong education system could push a country in the right direction, and Niger invests heavily in its schooling. But while the government allocates more of its spending to education that is typical in most countries, only 15.5% of people in Niger 15 and older were considered literate in 2012 — the lowest literacy rate of all the poorest countries. Recently discovered oil fields are taking the forefront of Niger’s economy, with the oil and mining industry accounting for nearly half of the country’s total exports.
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4. Liberia
> GNI per capita: $370
> 2016 GDP: $2.1 billion
> Population: 4.6 million
> Life expectancy: 62.0 years at birth
Liberia, Africa’s oldest republic, is home to more than 4.5 million people. The country, with a government modeled heavily off of the U.S. constitution, is still recovering from a bloody 14-year civil war that ended in 2003.
Liberia had the second largest GDP contraction among the world’s poorest countries at -1.6% in 2016. While still heavily reliant on agriculture, the sector’s GDP contribution decreased from 44.3% in 2011 to 34.2% in 2016. Liberia’s biggest exports are passenger and cargo ships at 45% of total exports.
Source: Thinkstock
3. Central African Republic
> GNI per capita: $370
> 2016 GDP: $1.8 billion
> Population: 4.6 million
> Life expectancy: 51.4 years at birth
The average person in Central African Republic lives on less than $400 a year. Like many of the world’s poorest countries, CAR’s economy is primarily labor driven and heavily dependent on farming — with agriculture accounting for about 43% of the country’s GDP.
Limited economic opportunities and low incomes can make it difficult to lead healthy lives, and few parts of the world have a lower life expectancy than CAR. Life expectancy at birth in the landlocked African nation is only 51.4 years, two decades less than the global average.
Source: Thinkstock
2. Malawi
> GNI per capita: $320
> 2016 GDP: $5.4 billion
> Population: 18.1 million
> Life expectancy: 62.5 years at birth
Though it has been a democratically stable country since the 1990s, Malawi has considerable hurdles to clear to achieve economic prosperity. Hit especially hard by HIV-AIDS, Malawi is home to over a million children orphaned by the disease. Additionally, the country depends heavily on agriculture — despite an unfavorable arid and dry climate — with crop production accounting for 28.3% of economic output. And while the government spends 20.4% of its budget on education — about 7 percentage points more than the United States — the literacy rate has actually declined 3 percentage points from 2014 to 2015.
Source: Thinkstock
1. Burundi
> GNI per capita: $280
> 2016 GDP: $3.0 billion
> Population: 10.5 million
> Life expectancy: 57.1 years at birth
Bordered by three other countries on this list, Burundi is a landlocked country in sub-Saharan Africa — and the poorest in the world. Burundi shares several traits common among poor nations. Heavily dependent on labor, some 40% of Burundi’s GDP is derived from agriculture. In comparison, agriculture accounts for only about 1% of economic output in the United States. While many of the poorest countries have rapidly growing economies, economic activity contracted by 0.6% in Burundi in 2016 — even as the global economy expanded by 2.4%.
Economic growth and prosperity are likely stymied by conflict in Burundi. The country has been embroiled in an ethnic civil war for over a decade.
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Friday, 1 December 2017
Leaders of local and regional governments of Africa and Europe send a strong message to the 5th AU-EU Summit in Abidjan on 29 and 30 November 2017
RABAT, Morocco, December 1, 2017/ -- 150 leaders of local and regional governments from African and European Union met in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on 27 November 2017 in the framework of AU-EU Summit where the theme was investing in youth for a sustainable future.
The meeting was organized under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire. It was addressed by:
• the President of the Pan African Parliament;
the President of the Committee on Development of the European Parliament;
• the President of the Specialized Technical Committee of the African Union, for public service, urban development, local government and decentralization (STC n° 8);
• the Representative of the Estonian Presidency of the European Union;
• the Commissioner for Political Affairs of the African Union, representing the President of the African Union Commission;
• the Deputy Management Director, Africa Division, European External Action Service; the Head of Unit for Cities, Local Authorities, Digitalization and Infrastructure, Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development, European Commission.
The conclusions of the Forum had six strong messages to deliver at the Summit but unfortunately because of time constraints the organizers could not allocate a slot for the representatives of the Forum of local and regional governments to present the conclusions of the Forum to the heads of State and Government at the Summit, despite the fact that this slot was mentioned in the official program of the Summit.
The First Message highlights the difficulties the two regions face asconsequence of the feeling from the citizensthat their governance is not right. To change this, there is a need to restore trust between the citizen and the public authorities. The leaders of local and regional governments being the public authorities closest to the people, are well placed to rebuild relations and confidence between the people and the government, provided they are empowered to do so. This first message aims to convince heads of State that a strong and people-centered state is a state which is strongly decentralized, and that effective decentralization is one of the best ways to improve public governance in our countries and in our unions as a whole.
The Second Message: Time to change the paradigm of development is now. The two regions will not address the challenge of climate change nor implement the sustainable development goals, not to mention Agenda 2063 or 2030 Agenda, if they do not embark on the pathway of transition towards sustainable and inclusive development. This transition should be at the heart of the partnership between the African Union and the European Union. Local and regional governments are key in the initiation of this paradigm shift, since they are in the space where this shift can more easily result in the development of sustainable and inclusive local economies that lead to job creation, and contributes to bringing back hope forthe youth who constitute the vital energy of territories.
The Third Message focuses on the need to promote a renewed desire for unity and partnership among the people of both the African Union and the European Union. To that end citizensat the grassroots level should be part and parcel of the dynamic of development and integration within and between the two regions. Hence the need to recognize local and regional governments who represent these people where they live, as the cornerstone of State building and regional integration. They should therefore be included in the discussions of any partnership agreement between the African Union and the European Unionfrom inception.
The Fourth Message is that The Partnership should contribute to reinforcea political dialogue among equals between the African Union and the European Union. Local and regional governments of the two regions call therefore on the European Union to treat Africa as one, and not maintain the artificial division between the African countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the countries from Sub-Saharan Africa. They also request that any new partnership agreement succeeding the Cotonou Agreement from 2020 onwards should be negotiated between the African Union and the European Union institutions, which are the legitimate political representatives of the two regions.
The Fifth Message is that there is a need for the leaders of the local and regional governments of the two regions, to drastically revise the narrative on migration, and change their perspective on handling this issue, that shifts from a negative and mainly security-oriented narrative, towards a more positive and development-oriented narrative. Migration is intrinsically linked to the history of humanity. Globalization and migration are two faces of the same medal. Cities and Territories are the point of departure and the point of arrival of migration flows. The leaders of the local and regional governments from the two continents should therefore be at the fore front in managing migration. They call for a serious revision of the European Union migration policy, and encourage the African Union to define one, with the best situation being for the two unions to have a common and agreed AU-EU migration policy.
Finally, the Sixth Message. Given their prominent role in the implementation of the national, regional, continental and global agendas, local and regional governments have raise the issue of access to funding to fulfil their mandates. First, they call for a fair share of public financial resources between the different spheres of public governance. They also advocate that the AU-EU partnership should be supported by a unique legal and financial instrument calibrated consistently with the ambitions of the new AU-EU partnership. At least 20% of the resources of this instrument should target the cities and territories of Africa, using as appropriate, decentralized cooperation mechanisms developed between local and regional governments of the two regions. They also welcome the EU External Investment Plan to which local and regional governments should be granted direct access so that they are capacitated to address the challenge of rapid urbanization, climate change, migration investments, and the transition towards inclusive and sustainable local development. Local and regional governments from both regions call for the organization of regular political dialogues around the issue of financing for development, whichthey should be part of, and have a say because they have a stake in what finally matters the most: the improvement of the living conditions of the people at the grassroots level, so that no one is left behind.
The Way Forward captured by the leaders of the local and regional governments of the two unions is a commitmentto working side by side, and to play their part in the implementation of the Agenda 2063 of the African Union, the European Union New Consensus for Development, as well as the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development Goals, the Sendai Protocol on Disaster Management, and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
The leaders of the local and regional governments of the AU and the EU have defined a roadmap…(http://apo.af/ryDhzW). There was also the Forum Declaration (http://www.afriquelocale.org/en/news-and-events/news/item/1281-declaration-of-the-africa-europe-forum-of-local-and-regional-governments ) and a Declaration by the Pan-African Council of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa on the practice of slavery in Libya (http://www.afriquelocale.org/en/news-and-events/news/item/1279-declaration-by-the-pan-african-council-of-the-united-cities-and-local-governments-of-africa-on-the-practice-of-slavery-in-libya ). These documents were handed over to the Minister of Interior of Côte d’Ivoire, for their delivery to President Alassane Dramane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Host Country of the 5th AU-EU Summit.
Abidjan, 30 November 2017
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa).
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SOURCE
United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa)
The meeting was organized under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire. It was addressed by:
• the President of the Pan African Parliament;
the President of the Committee on Development of the European Parliament;
• the President of the Specialized Technical Committee of the African Union, for public service, urban development, local government and decentralization (STC n° 8);
• the Representative of the Estonian Presidency of the European Union;
• the Commissioner for Political Affairs of the African Union, representing the President of the African Union Commission;
• the Deputy Management Director, Africa Division, European External Action Service; the Head of Unit for Cities, Local Authorities, Digitalization and Infrastructure, Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development, European Commission.
The conclusions of the Forum had six strong messages to deliver at the Summit but unfortunately because of time constraints the organizers could not allocate a slot for the representatives of the Forum of local and regional governments to present the conclusions of the Forum to the heads of State and Government at the Summit, despite the fact that this slot was mentioned in the official program of the Summit.
The First Message highlights the difficulties the two regions face asconsequence of the feeling from the citizensthat their governance is not right. To change this, there is a need to restore trust between the citizen and the public authorities. The leaders of local and regional governments being the public authorities closest to the people, are well placed to rebuild relations and confidence between the people and the government, provided they are empowered to do so. This first message aims to convince heads of State that a strong and people-centered state is a state which is strongly decentralized, and that effective decentralization is one of the best ways to improve public governance in our countries and in our unions as a whole.
The Second Message: Time to change the paradigm of development is now. The two regions will not address the challenge of climate change nor implement the sustainable development goals, not to mention Agenda 2063 or 2030 Agenda, if they do not embark on the pathway of transition towards sustainable and inclusive development. This transition should be at the heart of the partnership between the African Union and the European Union. Local and regional governments are key in the initiation of this paradigm shift, since they are in the space where this shift can more easily result in the development of sustainable and inclusive local economies that lead to job creation, and contributes to bringing back hope forthe youth who constitute the vital energy of territories.
The Third Message focuses on the need to promote a renewed desire for unity and partnership among the people of both the African Union and the European Union. To that end citizensat the grassroots level should be part and parcel of the dynamic of development and integration within and between the two regions. Hence the need to recognize local and regional governments who represent these people where they live, as the cornerstone of State building and regional integration. They should therefore be included in the discussions of any partnership agreement between the African Union and the European Unionfrom inception.
The Fourth Message is that The Partnership should contribute to reinforcea political dialogue among equals between the African Union and the European Union. Local and regional governments of the two regions call therefore on the European Union to treat Africa as one, and not maintain the artificial division between the African countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the countries from Sub-Saharan Africa. They also request that any new partnership agreement succeeding the Cotonou Agreement from 2020 onwards should be negotiated between the African Union and the European Union institutions, which are the legitimate political representatives of the two regions.
The Fifth Message is that there is a need for the leaders of the local and regional governments of the two regions, to drastically revise the narrative on migration, and change their perspective on handling this issue, that shifts from a negative and mainly security-oriented narrative, towards a more positive and development-oriented narrative. Migration is intrinsically linked to the history of humanity. Globalization and migration are two faces of the same medal. Cities and Territories are the point of departure and the point of arrival of migration flows. The leaders of the local and regional governments from the two continents should therefore be at the fore front in managing migration. They call for a serious revision of the European Union migration policy, and encourage the African Union to define one, with the best situation being for the two unions to have a common and agreed AU-EU migration policy.
Finally, the Sixth Message. Given their prominent role in the implementation of the national, regional, continental and global agendas, local and regional governments have raise the issue of access to funding to fulfil their mandates. First, they call for a fair share of public financial resources between the different spheres of public governance. They also advocate that the AU-EU partnership should be supported by a unique legal and financial instrument calibrated consistently with the ambitions of the new AU-EU partnership. At least 20% of the resources of this instrument should target the cities and territories of Africa, using as appropriate, decentralized cooperation mechanisms developed between local and regional governments of the two regions. They also welcome the EU External Investment Plan to which local and regional governments should be granted direct access so that they are capacitated to address the challenge of rapid urbanization, climate change, migration investments, and the transition towards inclusive and sustainable local development. Local and regional governments from both regions call for the organization of regular political dialogues around the issue of financing for development, whichthey should be part of, and have a say because they have a stake in what finally matters the most: the improvement of the living conditions of the people at the grassroots level, so that no one is left behind.
The Way Forward captured by the leaders of the local and regional governments of the two unions is a commitmentto working side by side, and to play their part in the implementation of the Agenda 2063 of the African Union, the European Union New Consensus for Development, as well as the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development Goals, the Sendai Protocol on Disaster Management, and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
The leaders of the local and regional governments of the AU and the EU have defined a roadmap…(http://apo.af/ryDhzW). There was also the Forum Declaration (http://www.afriquelocale.org/en/news-and-events/news/item/1281-declaration-of-the-africa-europe-forum-of-local-and-regional-governments ) and a Declaration by the Pan-African Council of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa on the practice of slavery in Libya (http://www.afriquelocale.org/en/news-and-events/news/item/1279-declaration-by-the-pan-african-council-of-the-united-cities-and-local-governments-of-africa-on-the-practice-of-slavery-in-libya ). These documents were handed over to the Minister of Interior of Côte d’Ivoire, for their delivery to President Alassane Dramane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Host Country of the 5th AU-EU Summit.
Abidjan, 30 November 2017
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa).
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United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa)
[NASA HQ News] NASA Television to Air Launch of Next Space Station Resupply Mission
December 01, 2017
MEDIA ADVISORY M17-142
NASA Television to Air Launch of Next Space Station Resupply Mission
A SpaceX Dragon will deliver about 4,800 pounds of research, hardware and crew supplies to the International Space Station.
A SpaceX Dragon will deliver about 4,800 pounds of research, hardware and crew supplies to the International Space Station during the company’s 13th commercial resupply services mission for NASA. Dragon will lift off on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida no earlier than 1:20 p.m. EST, Dec. 8.
Credits: NASA
NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX is targeting its 13th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station for no earlier than 1:20 p.m. EST Friday, Dec. 8.
Mission coverage will begin on NASA Television and the agency’s website Thursday, Dec. 7, with two news briefings.
Packed with almost 4,800 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will launch on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
NASA TV mission coverage is as follows:
Thursday, Dec. 7
11 a.m. – Prelaunch news conference with representatives from NASA’s International Space Station Program, SpaceX, and the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base
3:30 p.m. – “What’s on Board” science briefing, highlighting research testing: fiber optic filaments, how plants respond to microgravity, the accuracy of a biosensor used for diabetes management, a drug delivery system for combatting muscle atrophy and instruments to measure the Sun’s energy input to Earth and orbital debris.
Friday, Dec. 8
12:45 p.m. – Launch commentary coverage begins
3 p.m. – Post-launch news conference with representatives from NASA’s International Space Station Program and SpaceX
Sunday, Dec. 10
4:30 a.m. – Dragon rendezvous at the space station and capture
7:30 a.m. – Installation coverage
About 10 minutes after launch on Dec. 8, Dragon will reach its preliminary orbit and deploy its solar arrays. A carefully choreographed series of thruster firings are scheduled to bring the spacecraft to rendezvous with the space station. NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba will capture Dragon using the space station’s robotic arm. Ground controllers will then send commands to robotically install the spacecraft on the station’s Harmony module.
The Dragon spacecraft will spend approximately one month attached to the space station, returning to Earth Jan. 6, with results of previous experiments.
The deadline for media to apply for accreditation for this launch has passed, but more information about media accreditation is available by contacting Jennifer Horner at 321-867-6598 or jennifer.p.horner@nasa.gov.
For the latest schedule of prelaunch briefings, events and NASA TV coverage, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/content/spacex-crs-13-briefings-and-events
Learn more about the SpaceX CRS-13 mission at:
https://www.nasa.gov/spacex
-end-
Press Contacts
Happy Farmers' Day to Ghana's Gallant Smallholder Farmers Who Toil Round The Clock To Feed Our Nation
As Ghana celebrates Farmers' Day, one hopes and prays that God will give our leaders the wisdom and foresight to dramatically change the fortunes of Ghana's national economy's agricultural sector by making all farming - not just cocoa farming - tax-free commercial endeavours.
One also hopes and prays that the media houses that frequently publish harrowing stories about poor rural communities that lack potable water and are thus forced to share sources of untreated water with livestock, will do a little lateral-thinking themselves.
The question there is: Why do they not recommend a simple technological solution to that widespread rural problem - by asking the authorities to provide such rural communities with vital subsidized products such as the drinking bottles, jerrycans, family-sized and community-sized water tanks utilising cutting-edge nanotech filtration systems manufactured by innovative companies such as Lifesaver Water Systems of the UK? Haaba.
One also hopes that this present administration will be the regime that finally embraces the cost-effective and simple low-tech solution to the problem of roads that develop potholes soon after construction and often end up being washed away by flash floods on top too - by adopting a new public procurement policy that only plastic roads will be built in rural Ghana henceforth.
As a people, surely, we must end the foolishesness that refusing to adopt a policy of only building plastic roads represents - especially when we need to plug all the loopholes through which taxpayers' cash is siphoned off into private pockets by sundry white-collar criminals: so that we can have the wherewithall to provide our talented younger generations with free education from kindergarten to tertiary level on a more sustainable basis? Ditto provide universal access to free, world-class-quality healthcare facilities whenever we are taken ill?
The question is: Are members of our nation's political class still unaware of the benefits of constructing plastic roads? Ebeeii.
Surely, some of them must be aware of the fact that
plastic roads are made by simply mixing melted plastic waste with bitumen - enabling one to build roads that: bear heavier loads than conventional roads; last three times longer than conventional roads; remain pothole-free throughout their long lifespan; are never washed away by flash floods because plastic is impermeable to water; and, best of all, require virtually no maintenance to speak of (apart from renewing road markings when needed)?
Hmm, Oman Ghana: eyeasem o: asem kesie ebeba debi ankasa.
On this auspicious day for farmers in Ghana, may God grant our current leaders the wisdom to understand the many benefits of using natural agricultural imputs (such as those made by the Latvian company, BioDeposit,which are making sister African nations such as Rwanda increase their coffee yields dramatically) to transform Ghana into a global power in the production of organic agricultural produce, as well as the planet Earth's leading producer of organic cocoa beans - and the world's biggest manufacturer of own-brand organic cocoa products such as organic dark chocolate and organic chocolate powder for the biggest supermarket chains across the globe. Amen.
Finally, as someone from an organic cocoa-farming background, one wishes a Happy Farmers' Day celebration for Ghana's gallant smallholder farmers, who toil round the clock to feed our nation.
One also hopes and prays that the media houses that frequently publish harrowing stories about poor rural communities that lack potable water and are thus forced to share sources of untreated water with livestock, will do a little lateral-thinking themselves.
The question there is: Why do they not recommend a simple technological solution to that widespread rural problem - by asking the authorities to provide such rural communities with vital subsidized products such as the drinking bottles, jerrycans, family-sized and community-sized water tanks utilising cutting-edge nanotech filtration systems manufactured by innovative companies such as Lifesaver Water Systems of the UK? Haaba.
One also hopes that this present administration will be the regime that finally embraces the cost-effective and simple low-tech solution to the problem of roads that develop potholes soon after construction and often end up being washed away by flash floods on top too - by adopting a new public procurement policy that only plastic roads will be built in rural Ghana henceforth.
As a people, surely, we must end the foolishesness that refusing to adopt a policy of only building plastic roads represents - especially when we need to plug all the loopholes through which taxpayers' cash is siphoned off into private pockets by sundry white-collar criminals: so that we can have the wherewithall to provide our talented younger generations with free education from kindergarten to tertiary level on a more sustainable basis? Ditto provide universal access to free, world-class-quality healthcare facilities whenever we are taken ill?
The question is: Are members of our nation's political class still unaware of the benefits of constructing plastic roads? Ebeeii.
Surely, some of them must be aware of the fact that
plastic roads are made by simply mixing melted plastic waste with bitumen - enabling one to build roads that: bear heavier loads than conventional roads; last three times longer than conventional roads; remain pothole-free throughout their long lifespan; are never washed away by flash floods because plastic is impermeable to water; and, best of all, require virtually no maintenance to speak of (apart from renewing road markings when needed)?
Hmm, Oman Ghana: eyeasem o: asem kesie ebeba debi ankasa.
On this auspicious day for farmers in Ghana, may God grant our current leaders the wisdom to understand the many benefits of using natural agricultural imputs (such as those made by the Latvian company, BioDeposit,which are making sister African nations such as Rwanda increase their coffee yields dramatically) to transform Ghana into a global power in the production of organic agricultural produce, as well as the planet Earth's leading producer of organic cocoa beans - and the world's biggest manufacturer of own-brand organic cocoa products such as organic dark chocolate and organic chocolate powder for the biggest supermarket chains across the globe. Amen.
Finally, as someone from an organic cocoa-farming background, one wishes a Happy Farmers' Day celebration for Ghana's gallant smallholder farmers, who toil round the clock to feed our nation.
The New York Times/Eileen Sullivan, Adam Goldman and Matt Apuzzodec: Michael Flynn Expected to Plead Guilty to Lying to the F.B.I.
The New York Times
Trending
Politics
Michael Flynn Expected to Plead Guilty to Lying to the F.B.I.
By EILEEN SULLIVAN, ADAM GOLDMAN and MATT APUZZODEC. 1, 2017
WASHINGTON — President Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, is expected to plead guilty on Friday to lying to the F.B.I. about two conversations with the Russian ambassador last December during the presidential transition.
The charges were the latest indication that Mr. Flynn was cooperating with the investigation by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. Mr. Flynn was scheduled to appear in federal court in Washington at 10:30 on Friday morning.
A plea deal with Mr. Flynn brings Mr. Mueller’s investigation into Mr. Trump’s inner circle. A plea agreement suggests that Mr. Flynn provided information to prosecutors, which may help advance the inquiry.
Document
See the Charges: U.S. v. Michael T. Flynn
The special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, charged Michael T. Flynn, President Trump's former national security adviser, with lying to the F.B.I.
OPEN Document
Mr. Flynn’s lawyers recently told the president’s legal team that they could no longer discuss the special counsel’s investigation as they had been — a sign that Mr. Flynn had decided to cooperate with the prosecution.
Mr. Flynn was charged with making false statements to F.B.I. agents about two discussions with the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey I. Kislyak.
Mr. Trump had planned for Mr. Flynn to be a key figure on his national security team, but he was forced out a month after the inauguration over his conversations with Mr. Kislyak. Those conversations raised new concerns that Trump aides had been hiding their dealings with Russians.
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The investigation into those ties has dogged Mr. Trump’s first year in office. Mr. Flynn is the fourth Trump associate to be charged.
Correction: December 1, 2017
An earlier version of this article said Michael T. Flynn, the former national security adviser to President Trump, had pleaded guilty to lying to the F.B.I. He was expected to plead guilty but had not entered a plea when the article was first published.
Michael S. Schmidt contributed reporting.
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Trending
Politics
Michael Flynn Expected to Plead Guilty to Lying to the F.B.I.
By EILEEN SULLIVAN, ADAM GOLDMAN and MATT APUZZODEC. 1, 2017
WASHINGTON — President Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, is expected to plead guilty on Friday to lying to the F.B.I. about two conversations with the Russian ambassador last December during the presidential transition.
The charges were the latest indication that Mr. Flynn was cooperating with the investigation by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. Mr. Flynn was scheduled to appear in federal court in Washington at 10:30 on Friday morning.
A plea deal with Mr. Flynn brings Mr. Mueller’s investigation into Mr. Trump’s inner circle. A plea agreement suggests that Mr. Flynn provided information to prosecutors, which may help advance the inquiry.
Document
See the Charges: U.S. v. Michael T. Flynn
The special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, charged Michael T. Flynn, President Trump's former national security adviser, with lying to the F.B.I.
OPEN Document
Mr. Flynn’s lawyers recently told the president’s legal team that they could no longer discuss the special counsel’s investigation as they had been — a sign that Mr. Flynn had decided to cooperate with the prosecution.
Mr. Flynn was charged with making false statements to F.B.I. agents about two discussions with the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey I. Kislyak.
Mr. Trump had planned for Mr. Flynn to be a key figure on his national security team, but he was forced out a month after the inauguration over his conversations with Mr. Kislyak. Those conversations raised new concerns that Trump aides had been hiding their dealings with Russians.
Continue reading the main story
ADVERTISEMENT
Continue reading the main story
The investigation into those ties has dogged Mr. Trump’s first year in office. Mr. Flynn is the fourth Trump associate to be charged.
Correction: December 1, 2017
An earlier version of this article said Michael T. Flynn, the former national security adviser to President Trump, had pleaded guilty to lying to the F.B.I. He was expected to plead guilty but had not entered a plea when the article was first published.
Michael S. Schmidt contributed reporting.
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Score One for Corn: In Battle Over Biofuel, a Rare Setback for Big Oil
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The New York Times/Diane Cardwell: Energy Idea for Mars Yields a Clue for Powering Data Centers
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Energy & Environment
Energy Idea for Mars Yields a Clue for Powering Data Centers
By DIANE CARDWELLNOV. 30, 2017
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Oliver Cruz, a technician, on the manufacturing floor at Bloom Energy, a producer of fuel cells in Sunnyvale, Calif. Credit Peter Prato for The New York Times
SUNNYVALE, Calif. — As a scientist working for NASA in the 1990s, K. R. Sridhar developed a contraption that could use energy from the sun to transform the elements of the Martian atmosphere into breathable air or propulsion fuel.
It passed all its tests, but a planned mission to send it to Mars in 2001 was canceled and Dr. Sridhar moved on, looking to apply what he had learned to help stem climate change on earth instead.
“I came full circle — I was trying to make a really uninhabitable planet habitable,” Dr. Sridhar, 56, said recently, holding a black-domed prototype of the shelved device at his Silicon Valley office. “I was thinking, ‘I can do something to make this planet a little more sustainable.’ ”
Almost two decades later, that thought has led to a fleet of fuel-cell generators that produce electricity through a chemical reaction. And with a recent deal for Dr. Sridhar’s company, Bloom Energy, to install generators at a dozen data centers in California and New Jersey for Equinix, a leading operator, it is poised for a major expansion.
Photo
K.R. Sridhar, the head of Bloom Energy, among its processing furnaces. After “trying to make a really uninhabitable planet habitable,” said Dr. Sridhar, who once worked on a Mars project at NASA, “I was thinking, ‘I can do something to make this planet a little more sustainable.’” Credit Peter Prato for The New York Times
The aim of the deal, financed by a subsidiary of a deep-pocketed electric utility, Southern Company, is not only to create a reliable energy source for a power-thirsty industry, but also to help validate a technology that has struggled to gain mainstream acceptance.
What is striking is that the fuel cells are not running on hydrogen, like the ones long seen as a promising power source for cars. Instead, they use natural gas, which has become plentiful after a production boom over the last decade.
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Even though they consume fossil fuels, the gas-powered cells have attracted the attention of some environment-minded policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs because they release less of the heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide than conventional plants. And they have been slowly finding fans among energy-conscious corporations — in Walmart stores, eBay data centers and Morgan Stanley’s corporate headquarters.
Scott Samuelsen, director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University of California, Irvine, said data centers could become an important market for fuel cells because the industry “appears to want to be more environmentally sensitive but more reliant on their own resources.”
Part of the environmental appeal lies in their efficiency. Fuel cells are generally installed on site, so they do not need to burn extra fuel to compensate for energy lost over long transmission lines. In addition, they use less fuel per watt of power than conventional plants because they don’t burn fuels to heat water or air to spin turbines.
That also makes them quiet, which has proved a surprising barrier to their acceptance among potential customers, Professor Samuelsen said. “It’s hard for anyone to believe that they’re making any power,” he said. “It’s not like a jet engine.”
The innovations at Bloom stem from Dr. Sridhar’s work on NASA’s Mars exploration program when he was director of the Space Technologies Laboratory at the University of Arizona. Trained as a mechanical engineer in his native India, Dr. Sridhar arrived at the lab after getting a doctorate at the University of Illinois.
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Bloom’s fuel cells are fused together, then loaded into metal casings that are enclosed in banks about the size of a refrigerator. Credit Peter Prato for The New York Times
On the Mars project, he focused on using electricity to fuel chemical reactions among elements found on the Red Planet, even creating dirt capable of germinating a seed. Figuring that he should be able to reverse the process, he founded Bloom and worked on converting chemical energy to electricity using readily available fuels and conductors.
Eventually, he and his team hit upon a version of the current design of roughly 5-inch-square fuel cells fused together in stacks — each about the size of a half-loaf of bread and capable of powering an average home. The stacks are loaded into tubular metal casings before being enclosed in banks about the size of a refrigerator that can then be arrayed on the ground or a roof to run large facilities.
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The equipment, produced at the company headquarters here with final assembly at a factory in Delaware, is simultaneously high- and low-tech. Each cell is made from a thin ceramic wafer that is mainly zirconia — a relative of the diamond substitute. In a process reminiscent of high school art class, the wafers are screen printed with chemical inks on each side in an automated sequence and then fired in kilns. They are sandwiched between metal plates, and the resulting structure is a solid oxide fuel cell that can operate at very high temperatures, about 800 degrees Celsius, or 1,472 degrees Fahrenheit.
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At that temperature, when natural gas mixed with steam flows over one surface of the cell while oxygen flows over the other, a reaction results in the release of electricity, steam that is recycled through the process and carbon dioxide.
Equinix tested the Bloom cells at a data center in San Jose for 18 months before committing to the current arrangement, in which it will buy the energy under a 15-year power purchase agreement. The company, which runs more than 185 data centers on five continents, serves as a kind of cloud and network broker. It builds and operates facilities that provide space, power and cooling as well as work rooms, showers and a security system featuring a series of locked chambers like something out of “Get Smart.” The client companies bring their own servers and other hardware to plug into more than 1,000 networks that connect them to customers and to each other.
The Southern Company, based in Atlanta, comes into the partnership because it has unregulated businesses that sell power nationwide. In this case, Southern buys the fuel-cell generators from Bloom and then, through a subsidiary called PowerSecure, sells the output to Equinix under a 15-year agreement.
The Bloom deal with Equinix and Southern is among the largest ever for a fuel-cell business, but Bloom faces competition from other providers, like Fuel Cell Energy, which is based in Danbury, Conn., and has a partnership with Exxon Mobil. It has won a number of recent contracts, which include installing and operating three fuel-cell projects for the Long Island Power Authority and one that will supply power for the Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn.
Indeed, the United States government has had a hand in the technology’s development through grant programs at the Energy Department and a federal tax credit that expired at the end of last year.
The natural-gas fuel cells provide some environmental advantages over traditional power plants that run on fossil fuels: They use little water and release almost no harmful smog emissions. The Bloom cells can also run on biogas or hydrogen, which would make them even more environmentally friendly, given a steady supply of those fuels.
The usefulness of natural-gas fuel cells in reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a matter of some debate, however. Some environmentalists and public-utility officials say the fuel cells’ emissions may be understated and question whether their carbon reductions are sufficient to warrant public subsidies.
Photo
Randy Eoff, a manufacturing specialist, cleaning off the latest model at Bloom headquarters. Credit Peter Prato for The New York Times
Still, their emissions are well below the average for coal-fired plants. Bloom puts the emissions of its natural-gas cells in the range of 679 to 833 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour, while coal plants released 2,252 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour in the second quarter of this year, according to the Power Sector Carbon Index, an analysis published by the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University. They are much closer to those of natural-gas plants, which, according to the index, averaged 938 pounds per megawatt-hour during the same period.
Though companies looking to power energy-hungry data centers have often sought out hydroelectric power, which does not depend on fossil fuels and is generally inexpensive, fuel-cell technology is gaining traction, especially for customers who need an extremely steady power supply even during storms. For Tom Fanning, chief executive of Southern Company, the partnership with Bloom is part of a bid to take advantage of the technological advances that are upending the electric industry by allowing customers to make their own power, known as distributed generation.
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“For 100 years, we have had a business model predicated on the notion of making, moving and selling electricity, essentially up to a meter,” he said in a telephone interview. “We started seeing this make-move-and-sell model moving to the customer premises. And so we decided to become involved in this space.”
A version of this article appears in print on December 1, 2017, on Page B1 of the New York edition with the headline: Powering Up for the Future. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe
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Energy & Environment
Energy Idea for Mars Yields a Clue for Powering Data Centers
By DIANE CARDWELLNOV. 30, 2017
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Oliver Cruz, a technician, on the manufacturing floor at Bloom Energy, a producer of fuel cells in Sunnyvale, Calif. Credit Peter Prato for The New York Times
SUNNYVALE, Calif. — As a scientist working for NASA in the 1990s, K. R. Sridhar developed a contraption that could use energy from the sun to transform the elements of the Martian atmosphere into breathable air or propulsion fuel.
It passed all its tests, but a planned mission to send it to Mars in 2001 was canceled and Dr. Sridhar moved on, looking to apply what he had learned to help stem climate change on earth instead.
“I came full circle — I was trying to make a really uninhabitable planet habitable,” Dr. Sridhar, 56, said recently, holding a black-domed prototype of the shelved device at his Silicon Valley office. “I was thinking, ‘I can do something to make this planet a little more sustainable.’ ”
Almost two decades later, that thought has led to a fleet of fuel-cell generators that produce electricity through a chemical reaction. And with a recent deal for Dr. Sridhar’s company, Bloom Energy, to install generators at a dozen data centers in California and New Jersey for Equinix, a leading operator, it is poised for a major expansion.
Photo
K.R. Sridhar, the head of Bloom Energy, among its processing furnaces. After “trying to make a really uninhabitable planet habitable,” said Dr. Sridhar, who once worked on a Mars project at NASA, “I was thinking, ‘I can do something to make this planet a little more sustainable.’” Credit Peter Prato for The New York Times
The aim of the deal, financed by a subsidiary of a deep-pocketed electric utility, Southern Company, is not only to create a reliable energy source for a power-thirsty industry, but also to help validate a technology that has struggled to gain mainstream acceptance.
What is striking is that the fuel cells are not running on hydrogen, like the ones long seen as a promising power source for cars. Instead, they use natural gas, which has become plentiful after a production boom over the last decade.
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Even though they consume fossil fuels, the gas-powered cells have attracted the attention of some environment-minded policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs because they release less of the heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide than conventional plants. And they have been slowly finding fans among energy-conscious corporations — in Walmart stores, eBay data centers and Morgan Stanley’s corporate headquarters.
Scott Samuelsen, director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University of California, Irvine, said data centers could become an important market for fuel cells because the industry “appears to want to be more environmentally sensitive but more reliant on their own resources.”
Part of the environmental appeal lies in their efficiency. Fuel cells are generally installed on site, so they do not need to burn extra fuel to compensate for energy lost over long transmission lines. In addition, they use less fuel per watt of power than conventional plants because they don’t burn fuels to heat water or air to spin turbines.
That also makes them quiet, which has proved a surprising barrier to their acceptance among potential customers, Professor Samuelsen said. “It’s hard for anyone to believe that they’re making any power,” he said. “It’s not like a jet engine.”
The innovations at Bloom stem from Dr. Sridhar’s work on NASA’s Mars exploration program when he was director of the Space Technologies Laboratory at the University of Arizona. Trained as a mechanical engineer in his native India, Dr. Sridhar arrived at the lab after getting a doctorate at the University of Illinois.
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Bloom’s fuel cells are fused together, then loaded into metal casings that are enclosed in banks about the size of a refrigerator. Credit Peter Prato for The New York Times
On the Mars project, he focused on using electricity to fuel chemical reactions among elements found on the Red Planet, even creating dirt capable of germinating a seed. Figuring that he should be able to reverse the process, he founded Bloom and worked on converting chemical energy to electricity using readily available fuels and conductors.
Eventually, he and his team hit upon a version of the current design of roughly 5-inch-square fuel cells fused together in stacks — each about the size of a half-loaf of bread and capable of powering an average home. The stacks are loaded into tubular metal casings before being enclosed in banks about the size of a refrigerator that can then be arrayed on the ground or a roof to run large facilities.
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The equipment, produced at the company headquarters here with final assembly at a factory in Delaware, is simultaneously high- and low-tech. Each cell is made from a thin ceramic wafer that is mainly zirconia — a relative of the diamond substitute. In a process reminiscent of high school art class, the wafers are screen printed with chemical inks on each side in an automated sequence and then fired in kilns. They are sandwiched between metal plates, and the resulting structure is a solid oxide fuel cell that can operate at very high temperatures, about 800 degrees Celsius, or 1,472 degrees Fahrenheit.
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At that temperature, when natural gas mixed with steam flows over one surface of the cell while oxygen flows over the other, a reaction results in the release of electricity, steam that is recycled through the process and carbon dioxide.
Equinix tested the Bloom cells at a data center in San Jose for 18 months before committing to the current arrangement, in which it will buy the energy under a 15-year power purchase agreement. The company, which runs more than 185 data centers on five continents, serves as a kind of cloud and network broker. It builds and operates facilities that provide space, power and cooling as well as work rooms, showers and a security system featuring a series of locked chambers like something out of “Get Smart.” The client companies bring their own servers and other hardware to plug into more than 1,000 networks that connect them to customers and to each other.
The Southern Company, based in Atlanta, comes into the partnership because it has unregulated businesses that sell power nationwide. In this case, Southern buys the fuel-cell generators from Bloom and then, through a subsidiary called PowerSecure, sells the output to Equinix under a 15-year agreement.
The Bloom deal with Equinix and Southern is among the largest ever for a fuel-cell business, but Bloom faces competition from other providers, like Fuel Cell Energy, which is based in Danbury, Conn., and has a partnership with Exxon Mobil. It has won a number of recent contracts, which include installing and operating three fuel-cell projects for the Long Island Power Authority and one that will supply power for the Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn.
Indeed, the United States government has had a hand in the technology’s development through grant programs at the Energy Department and a federal tax credit that expired at the end of last year.
The natural-gas fuel cells provide some environmental advantages over traditional power plants that run on fossil fuels: They use little water and release almost no harmful smog emissions. The Bloom cells can also run on biogas or hydrogen, which would make them even more environmentally friendly, given a steady supply of those fuels.
The usefulness of natural-gas fuel cells in reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a matter of some debate, however. Some environmentalists and public-utility officials say the fuel cells’ emissions may be understated and question whether their carbon reductions are sufficient to warrant public subsidies.
Photo
Randy Eoff, a manufacturing specialist, cleaning off the latest model at Bloom headquarters. Credit Peter Prato for The New York Times
Still, their emissions are well below the average for coal-fired plants. Bloom puts the emissions of its natural-gas cells in the range of 679 to 833 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour, while coal plants released 2,252 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour in the second quarter of this year, according to the Power Sector Carbon Index, an analysis published by the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University. They are much closer to those of natural-gas plants, which, according to the index, averaged 938 pounds per megawatt-hour during the same period.
Though companies looking to power energy-hungry data centers have often sought out hydroelectric power, which does not depend on fossil fuels and is generally inexpensive, fuel-cell technology is gaining traction, especially for customers who need an extremely steady power supply even during storms. For Tom Fanning, chief executive of Southern Company, the partnership with Bloom is part of a bid to take advantage of the technological advances that are upending the electric industry by allowing customers to make their own power, known as distributed generation.
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“For 100 years, we have had a business model predicated on the notion of making, moving and selling electricity, essentially up to a meter,” he said in a telephone interview. “We started seeing this make-move-and-sell model moving to the customer premises. And so we decided to become involved in this space.”
A version of this article appears in print on December 1, 2017, on Page B1 of the New York edition with the headline: Powering Up for the Future. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe
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The Week UK: Europe-Africa Summit: what did it achieve?
The Week UK
Europe-Africa Summit: what did it achieve?
Dec 1, 2017
A host of pledges were made to tackle the crisis in Libya, but critics say much of it was empty rhetoric
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Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images
European and African leaders wrapped up a joint summit in the Ivory Coast yesterday, vowing to take action on variety of issues plaguing the two continents.
Officials touted the high-level meeting between EU and African Union leaders in Abidjan as the beginning of “a new partnership between equals” that would benefit both parties.
However, much of the rhetoric “comes with a dose of deja vu for long-time observers,” says Politico.
What was agreed?
The summit was originally scheduled to focus on economic cooperation and youth employment, but was overshadowed by reports of African refugees and migrants being sold at slave auctions in Libya.
See related
Macron sets out radical vision for Europe
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara warned that leaders would have to do more than condemn the “disgusting” and “unacceptable” practice.
“The inhumane treatment of migrants challenges us, requiring responses which match our condemnation,” the host said.
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By the end of the summit, the leaders of Libya, France, Germany, Chad, Niger and four other countries agreed to attempt “a massive and imminent evacuation” of migrants who are trapped in the camps, the Washington Post reports.
“The plans drafted Wednesday indicate that the first evacuation push will target 3,800 migrants,” most of whom will be returned to their home countries, the newspaper says.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the deal also included a fresh promise from the Libyan government to address the problem, as well as a joint pledge from the EU, AU and UN to freeze the assets of human traffickers and increase support for the International Organisation of Migration.
What was lacking?
Geert Laporte, deputy director of the European Centre for Development Policy Management, said many of the promises made at this year’s summit have been made before.
“I recognise the same hollow wordings of mutual trust and comprehensive partnership,” he told Politico.
Youth groups also claim they were sidelined completely from the conference, the EU Observer reports. A German youth advocacy group, DSW, due to talk at the summit, said young people from both continents were denied the platform they were promised.
“Youth were prevented from speaking - at a summit all about youth! It beggars belief,” a representative said.
The Washington Post argues that the summit’s original focus – boosting economic development in Africa and tackling youth unemployment – is the only real solution to the migration crisis.
“Stopgap measures like evacuations have little to do with [its] underlying causes,” the paper says.
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Libya
Europe
Africa
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Europe-Africa Summit: what did it achieve?
Dec 1, 2017
A host of pledges were made to tackle the crisis in Libya, but critics say much of it was empty rhetoric
Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images
European and African leaders wrapped up a joint summit in the Ivory Coast yesterday, vowing to take action on variety of issues plaguing the two continents.
Officials touted the high-level meeting between EU and African Union leaders in Abidjan as the beginning of “a new partnership between equals” that would benefit both parties.
However, much of the rhetoric “comes with a dose of deja vu for long-time observers,” says Politico.
What was agreed?
The summit was originally scheduled to focus on economic cooperation and youth employment, but was overshadowed by reports of African refugees and migrants being sold at slave auctions in Libya.
See related
Macron sets out radical vision for Europe
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara warned that leaders would have to do more than condemn the “disgusting” and “unacceptable” practice.
“The inhumane treatment of migrants challenges us, requiring responses which match our condemnation,” the host said.
Libya conditions overshadow EU-Africa summit
video playing
Libya conditions overshadow EU-Africa summit
EU-Africa summit leaders back migrant evacuation...
29/11/17
EU-Africa summit leaders back migrant evacuation from Libya
Emmanuel Macron's exclusive F24/RFI...
29/11/17
Emmanuel Macron's exclusive F24/RFI interview at EU-Africa Summit
Ivory Coast set for EU Africa summit
28/11/17
Ivory Coast set for EU Africa summit
EU Africa summit
22/11/17
EU Africa summit
German political crisis: a cause for concern, or an...
22/11/17
German political crisis: a cause for concern, or an opportunity for Europe?
By the end of the summit, the leaders of Libya, France, Germany, Chad, Niger and four other countries agreed to attempt “a massive and imminent evacuation” of migrants who are trapped in the camps, the Washington Post reports.
“The plans drafted Wednesday indicate that the first evacuation push will target 3,800 migrants,” most of whom will be returned to their home countries, the newspaper says.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the deal also included a fresh promise from the Libyan government to address the problem, as well as a joint pledge from the EU, AU and UN to freeze the assets of human traffickers and increase support for the International Organisation of Migration.
What was lacking?
Geert Laporte, deputy director of the European Centre for Development Policy Management, said many of the promises made at this year’s summit have been made before.
“I recognise the same hollow wordings of mutual trust and comprehensive partnership,” he told Politico.
Youth groups also claim they were sidelined completely from the conference, the EU Observer reports. A German youth advocacy group, DSW, due to talk at the summit, said young people from both continents were denied the platform they were promised.
“Youth were prevented from speaking - at a summit all about youth! It beggars belief,” a representative said.
The Washington Post argues that the summit’s original focus – boosting economic development in Africa and tackling youth unemployment – is the only real solution to the migration crisis.
“Stopgap measures like evacuations have little to do with [its] underlying causes,” the paper says.
Advertisement
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Libya
Europe
Africa
by Taboola
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Medium. com/Zat Rana: Bruce Lee: How to Think Like Nobody Else
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Nov 28
https://www.brucelee.com/
Bruce Lee: How to Think Like Nobody Else
The legacy of Bruce Lee is mainly rooted in his success as a movie star and a martial artist.
Not many people know that he was also an avid reader and a deep thinker. In fact, he often noted that many of the impressive feats he accomplished weren’t just a direct product of his commitment to training his body. Everything began with his ability to cultivate his mind.
He rose to fame at a time when he had to deal with criticism for his mixed heritage. In Hong Kong, he was judged for being American. In America, he was judged for being Chinese.
It wasn’t enough for him to just do his work and reap the rewards of his labor. He also had to deal with a world that was pulling him in two different directions. It perhaps explains his deeply introspective habits and also how he became such a fiercely independent thinker.
In one instance, at a talk show in Hong Kong, the host asked him how he really saw himself. Did he identify as Chinese or American? Bruce Lee looked at him before calmly saying:
“Neither. I think of myself as a human being.”
We can all learn something from Bruce Lee the icon and the athlete. There is a lot there. That said, we should all also aim to get what we can out of Bruce Lee the philosopher.
Through his writing and his interviews, he gives us intimate insight into his thought process, and what it means to use the human mind productively to nurture independent thought.
Bruce Lee may be famous as a combat fighter, but it’s with his mind that he really got there. Let’s see what we can learn.
1. Know That No Dogma Contains All Answers
Depending on the part of the world you happen to live in, you likely abide by a set of customs and beliefs about what the right conduct of behavior is and what it means to live well.
If all you have been exposed to is one cultural or ideological framework, the chances are that much of your thinking patterns are informed by a very specific and regimented set of values.
Different countries, cultures, and even cities have different beliefs about what is right and what is wrong, what is respected and what is not, and what is true and what is false. Sometimes these differences are subtle, and other times, it’s a distinction of day and night.
Bruce Lee was heavily influenced by Chinese philosophy, and he was particularly fond of the work of people like Alan Watts who brought a lot of eastern values and ideas to the west.
He saw himself doing the same. He thought there was a lot of beauty in many of the ideals of the east, and through his movies and writings, he hoped to spread some of that to the west.
Still, he was always cognizant of the limitations of a single tradition or culture, and he always sought to mix and match different ideas to arrive at his own personal conclusions.
By and large, every dogma asserts itself as the one with all the answers. Yet, if we look through the lens of history, we see that they each have their successes and their failures.
Much of the time, the reason that most of the people who support a particular dogma do so is that of pure chance. Most of them were either born into it or it was the predominant influence around them, which eventually extended itself into their own lives.
This isn’t necessarily to say that you can’t buy into a belief system that’s supported by a larger framework that many others also see as true. It’s just about thinking with caution.
Every culture or ideology has something to teach, but no single one has it all figured out.
2. Build True Intellectual Confidence
One of the strengths of existing frameworks for thinking and living is that many of them have survived the test of time. Generally speaking, if an idea has been around throughout history, it’s often fair to assume that, whatever it is, it has a good overall reason for existing.
This isn’t always the case, but it’s a rule of thumb that mostly holds up. As such, if you want to refute a part of an existing dogma, then you need strong intellectual confidence to do so.
You need to trust that your reason for either rejecting or accepting a part of something else is good and honest and that it’s not going to lead you astray. Otherwise, it could be costly.
When John Little, who compiled Bruce Lee’s writing after his death, went through the remains of his work, he found something in the range of 1,700 annotated books in the house.
Bruce Lee believed that even his confidence (and he had a lot of it) in his physical abilities began with the intellectual confidence he cultivated in his mind. In an old letter he wrote in his 20s, he talks about a “creative and spiritual force” within him that guides everything else.
He was a thinker first and foremost, and the confidence he gained from sharpening his mind was the catalyst that allowed him to trust his independent way of thought and action. It’s why he asked not only questions but also why he innovated by creating new styles of combat.
It’s easy to romanticize independent thought and for a reason. It’s generally the advisable way to make progress. That said, it’s contingent on you actually being an effective thinker.
To think for yourself, you first have to put in the work to trust your own thought process.
3. Choose Self-Expression Over Imitation
Besides rejecting a single all-encompassing dogma, Bruce Lee also felt that the culture of his time, especially in the martial arts community of Hong Kong, was too concerned with picking and choosing particular strains of action and not enough with self-expression.
He strongly felt that improvement and development of oneself weren’t necessarily acts of copying an existing success story, but it was about observing and iterating in a personal way.
By first understanding yourself, you have a better idea of what is useful to you and what isn’t, and from there you build on only what’s relevant, not just everything. As Lee said himself:
“Learning is definitely not mere imitation or the ability to accumulate and conform to fixed knowledge. Learning is a constant process of discovery and never a concluding one.”
Everyone can learn something from almost anything, and it’s worth developing a mentality that does so. That said, with a few exceptions, the lessons should always conform to your own expression, rather than mold to whatever it is that you’re extracting the lesson from.
Any valuable development begins at the base layer of who you are and what you know to be true. Naturally, that doesn’t mean that those parts of you can’t change for the better and that you shouldn’t seek to improve them. It’s just about starting internally.
Once you have a solid base of intellectual confidence, your aim should be to iterate and improve on that, not give that up to try and become like something that you’re not.
People often get too attached to whatever the source or example of their learning is, and although sometimes it can be good, much of the time it just steals their unique blueprint.
You should always seek to observe for insight, but do so without attachment.
All You Need to Know
If you’re thinking the same things as everyone else, you’re generally also making the same mistakes as them. Thinking for yourself isn’t just optimal, but it’s the only way to get ahead.
Bruce Lee is the father of modern martial arts, and his movies continue to attract fans from everywhere. His independent style of thought and action have always been visible in his commercial work, but they’re arguably even more apparent in the philosophy he left behind.
Knowing how to think for yourself isn’t about rejecting existing ideas for the sake of doing so. It’s about being critical and cautious in your approach to making decisions of importance.
Your mind is responsible for whatever else comes your way in life. Give it the right edge.
The internet is noisy
I write at Design Luck, a free high-quality newsletter with unique insights that will help you live a good life. It’s well-researched and easy-going.
Join 18,000+ readers for exclusive access.
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Medium member since May 2017
Playing at the intersection of science, art, and business. I write to reduce noise. www.designluck.com. CNBC, Business Insider, World Economic Forum, etc.
Personal Growth
Personal Growth
Keep Learning. Keep Growing.
More on Philosophy from Personal Growth
How to Avoid a Life of Misery
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Zat Rana
Also tagged Life Lessons
How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything
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James Altucher
More on Education from Personal Growth
3 Powerful Rules for Becoming a Successful Communicator
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Zat Rana
Responses
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Nancy Churchill
Nancy Churchill
Nov 29
To think for yourself, you first have to put in the work to trust your own thought process.
Learning to think for oneself seems to be a lost art these days. Hopefully, this trend will soon reverse as it becomes counter-culture to be a deep thinker.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Roxanne Henkle
Roxanne Henkle
Nov 28
A wonderful article on developing the Self. We live in a compartmental world. Forces outside require most humans to belong to one group or another. The push to adhere to their dogma. True self expression individuals do take parts from one dogma and create a mash up of belief.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Brenda Ammon
Brenda Ammon
Nov 28
ZAT, this is profound! “If you’re thinking the same things as everyone else, you’re generally also making the same mistakes as them. Thinking for yourself isn’t just optimal, but it’s the only way to get ahead”.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Mukundarajan V N
Mukundarajan V N
Nov 28
It is astonishing that Bruce Lee the fighter was also a deep thinker. Fame did not distract him from looking inwards to search for answers to existential questions.A capacity for self-introspection and a philosophical disposition complemented Bruce Lee’s physical exploits as a martial artist.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Tommy Delarosbil
Tommy Delarosbil
Nov 29
I would never compare myself to this great man. He had so much influence on people before dying at the young age of 32 years old. Beside being smart, you need a charisma out of this world to achieve that.
Somehow, I see myself in Bruce Lee. I always searched for answers through my own lenses. I always believed in myself…
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Erik van Mechelen
Erik van Mechelen
Nov 29
Much of the time, the reason that most of the people who support a particular dogma do so is that of pure chance. Most of them were either born into it or it was the predominant infl...
This fact should be reminder of three things:
To have empathy and compassion for those espousing their un/chosen dogma
To help the dogmatic realize it is okay to let go their dogma
But first, to notice first the dogmatic in oneself, and shed it
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Christin Platzek
Christin Platzek
Nov 28
People often get too attached to whatever the source or example of their learning is, and although sometimes it can be good, much of the time it just steals their unique blueprint.
This couldn’t have come more timely for me.
Thank you for this brilliant article!
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Denis Murphy
Denis Murphy
Nov 28
Very well written article and some very useful points to keep in mind.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Darren Stehle
Darren Stehle
Nov 29
If you’re thinking the same things as everyone else, you’re generally also making the same mistakes as them
Wow! Powerful distinction/co-relation.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Roy Huff ♛
Roy Huff ♛
Nov 30
“Neither. I think of myself as a human being.”
Thank you!
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Chris Schenk
Chris Schenk
Nov 29
It’s just about thinking with caution.
This is a great sentence. I love how you wrote it.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Vico Biscotti
Vico Biscotti
Nov 29
Great article, Zat. Thank you.
I think you did honor the legacy of Bruce Lee.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Naulikha
Naulikha
Nov 29
Neither. I think of myself as a human being
Drops mic!
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Raph
Raph
Nov 29
Did he identify as Chinese or American? Bruce Lee looked at him before calmly saying:
“Neither. I think of myself as a human being.”
This bears another mention in this wave of nationalism. While it’s great to not forget your roots and know your heritage, we are all human beings sharing the same…
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of reni de sousa
reni de sousa
Nov 30
Thinking is an addiction, like anything else. It is all conditioned Thought, and
we are all parrots. Language is 26 alphabets. Whats there to think about?
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Action Press Stunts
Action Press Stunts
Nov 30
As usual Zat, insightful and inspiring. Thank you.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Shaun G. Si
Shaun G. Si
Nov 30
This is wonderful!!! I loved the fact that the article showed a different side of Bruce Lee. To many he is merely an excellent martial artist, but only a few see him as a brilliant thinker and one with a very philosophical mindset.
I have always been an advocate of learning (reading articles, watching TED Talks) but…
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Asim K
Asim K
Nov 30
thoroughly written article and some very useful factors to hold in mind.
<a href=”http://www.worldwidelifestyles.com/bodyweight-squats-everyday/">Bodyweight Squats Everyday</a>
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Phil Johnson
Phil Johnson
Nov 30
Another fantastic essay! Great work.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Action Press Stunts
Action Press Stunts
Nov 30
Your mind is responsible for whatever else comes your way in life.
“We become what we think about”
Earl Nightingale — The Strangest Secret
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Yester Vue
Yester Vue
Nov 29
For the most part he is usually labeled as a “Martial Artist” but I have always admired his views and the things he spoke on in interviews. I have always thought of him more as an “Artist” that ALSO excelled in the martial arts.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Shubham Kanojiya
Shubham Kanojiya
Nov 30
Neither. I think of myself as a human being
Humble..
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of TheseEyesGod
TheseEyesGod
Nov 29
What an interesting article, revealing much not widely known about Bruce Lee. I’d call it excellent except for one omission — spirit or soul is even more important than mind in such things. 😉
~♥~
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Dr. C. Cat
Dr. C. Cat
Nov 30
The main reason why he was never truly accepted by the Chinese was because he was born in the US, San Francisco to be exact.
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Go to the profile of Zat Rana
Zat Rana
Playing at the intersection of science, art, and business. I write to reduce noise. www.designluck.com. CNBC, Business Insider, World Economic Forum, etc.
Nov 28
https://www.brucelee.com/
Bruce Lee: How to Think Like Nobody Else
The legacy of Bruce Lee is mainly rooted in his success as a movie star and a martial artist.
Not many people know that he was also an avid reader and a deep thinker. In fact, he often noted that many of the impressive feats he accomplished weren’t just a direct product of his commitment to training his body. Everything began with his ability to cultivate his mind.
He rose to fame at a time when he had to deal with criticism for his mixed heritage. In Hong Kong, he was judged for being American. In America, he was judged for being Chinese.
It wasn’t enough for him to just do his work and reap the rewards of his labor. He also had to deal with a world that was pulling him in two different directions. It perhaps explains his deeply introspective habits and also how he became such a fiercely independent thinker.
In one instance, at a talk show in Hong Kong, the host asked him how he really saw himself. Did he identify as Chinese or American? Bruce Lee looked at him before calmly saying:
“Neither. I think of myself as a human being.”
We can all learn something from Bruce Lee the icon and the athlete. There is a lot there. That said, we should all also aim to get what we can out of Bruce Lee the philosopher.
Through his writing and his interviews, he gives us intimate insight into his thought process, and what it means to use the human mind productively to nurture independent thought.
Bruce Lee may be famous as a combat fighter, but it’s with his mind that he really got there. Let’s see what we can learn.
1. Know That No Dogma Contains All Answers
Depending on the part of the world you happen to live in, you likely abide by a set of customs and beliefs about what the right conduct of behavior is and what it means to live well.
If all you have been exposed to is one cultural or ideological framework, the chances are that much of your thinking patterns are informed by a very specific and regimented set of values.
Different countries, cultures, and even cities have different beliefs about what is right and what is wrong, what is respected and what is not, and what is true and what is false. Sometimes these differences are subtle, and other times, it’s a distinction of day and night.
Bruce Lee was heavily influenced by Chinese philosophy, and he was particularly fond of the work of people like Alan Watts who brought a lot of eastern values and ideas to the west.
He saw himself doing the same. He thought there was a lot of beauty in many of the ideals of the east, and through his movies and writings, he hoped to spread some of that to the west.
Still, he was always cognizant of the limitations of a single tradition or culture, and he always sought to mix and match different ideas to arrive at his own personal conclusions.
By and large, every dogma asserts itself as the one with all the answers. Yet, if we look through the lens of history, we see that they each have their successes and their failures.
Much of the time, the reason that most of the people who support a particular dogma do so is that of pure chance. Most of them were either born into it or it was the predominant influence around them, which eventually extended itself into their own lives.
This isn’t necessarily to say that you can’t buy into a belief system that’s supported by a larger framework that many others also see as true. It’s just about thinking with caution.
Every culture or ideology has something to teach, but no single one has it all figured out.
2. Build True Intellectual Confidence
One of the strengths of existing frameworks for thinking and living is that many of them have survived the test of time. Generally speaking, if an idea has been around throughout history, it’s often fair to assume that, whatever it is, it has a good overall reason for existing.
This isn’t always the case, but it’s a rule of thumb that mostly holds up. As such, if you want to refute a part of an existing dogma, then you need strong intellectual confidence to do so.
You need to trust that your reason for either rejecting or accepting a part of something else is good and honest and that it’s not going to lead you astray. Otherwise, it could be costly.
When John Little, who compiled Bruce Lee’s writing after his death, went through the remains of his work, he found something in the range of 1,700 annotated books in the house.
Bruce Lee believed that even his confidence (and he had a lot of it) in his physical abilities began with the intellectual confidence he cultivated in his mind. In an old letter he wrote in his 20s, he talks about a “creative and spiritual force” within him that guides everything else.
He was a thinker first and foremost, and the confidence he gained from sharpening his mind was the catalyst that allowed him to trust his independent way of thought and action. It’s why he asked not only questions but also why he innovated by creating new styles of combat.
It’s easy to romanticize independent thought and for a reason. It’s generally the advisable way to make progress. That said, it’s contingent on you actually being an effective thinker.
To think for yourself, you first have to put in the work to trust your own thought process.
3. Choose Self-Expression Over Imitation
Besides rejecting a single all-encompassing dogma, Bruce Lee also felt that the culture of his time, especially in the martial arts community of Hong Kong, was too concerned with picking and choosing particular strains of action and not enough with self-expression.
He strongly felt that improvement and development of oneself weren’t necessarily acts of copying an existing success story, but it was about observing and iterating in a personal way.
By first understanding yourself, you have a better idea of what is useful to you and what isn’t, and from there you build on only what’s relevant, not just everything. As Lee said himself:
“Learning is definitely not mere imitation or the ability to accumulate and conform to fixed knowledge. Learning is a constant process of discovery and never a concluding one.”
Everyone can learn something from almost anything, and it’s worth developing a mentality that does so. That said, with a few exceptions, the lessons should always conform to your own expression, rather than mold to whatever it is that you’re extracting the lesson from.
Any valuable development begins at the base layer of who you are and what you know to be true. Naturally, that doesn’t mean that those parts of you can’t change for the better and that you shouldn’t seek to improve them. It’s just about starting internally.
Once you have a solid base of intellectual confidence, your aim should be to iterate and improve on that, not give that up to try and become like something that you’re not.
People often get too attached to whatever the source or example of their learning is, and although sometimes it can be good, much of the time it just steals their unique blueprint.
You should always seek to observe for insight, but do so without attachment.
All You Need to Know
If you’re thinking the same things as everyone else, you’re generally also making the same mistakes as them. Thinking for yourself isn’t just optimal, but it’s the only way to get ahead.
Bruce Lee is the father of modern martial arts, and his movies continue to attract fans from everywhere. His independent style of thought and action have always been visible in his commercial work, but they’re arguably even more apparent in the philosophy he left behind.
Knowing how to think for yourself isn’t about rejecting existing ideas for the sake of doing so. It’s about being critical and cautious in your approach to making decisions of importance.
Your mind is responsible for whatever else comes your way in life. Give it the right edge.
The internet is noisy
I write at Design Luck, a free high-quality newsletter with unique insights that will help you live a good life. It’s well-researched and easy-going.
Join 18,000+ readers for exclusive access.
Self ImprovementLife LessonsLifeEducationPhilosophy
One clap, two clap, three clap, forty?
By clapping more or less, you can signal to us which stories really stand out.
Go to the profile of Zat Rana
Zat Rana
Medium member since May 2017
Playing at the intersection of science, art, and business. I write to reduce noise. www.designluck.com. CNBC, Business Insider, World Economic Forum, etc.
Personal Growth
Personal Growth
Keep Learning. Keep Growing.
More on Philosophy from Personal Growth
How to Avoid a Life of Misery
Go to the profile of Zat Rana
Zat Rana
Also tagged Life Lessons
How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything
Go to the profile of James Altucher
James Altucher
More on Education from Personal Growth
3 Powerful Rules for Becoming a Successful Communicator
Go to the profile of Zat Rana
Zat Rana
Responses
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Nancy Churchill
Nancy Churchill
Nov 29
To think for yourself, you first have to put in the work to trust your own thought process.
Learning to think for oneself seems to be a lost art these days. Hopefully, this trend will soon reverse as it becomes counter-culture to be a deep thinker.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Roxanne Henkle
Roxanne Henkle
Nov 28
A wonderful article on developing the Self. We live in a compartmental world. Forces outside require most humans to belong to one group or another. The push to adhere to their dogma. True self expression individuals do take parts from one dogma and create a mash up of belief.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Brenda Ammon
Brenda Ammon
Nov 28
ZAT, this is profound! “If you’re thinking the same things as everyone else, you’re generally also making the same mistakes as them. Thinking for yourself isn’t just optimal, but it’s the only way to get ahead”.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Mukundarajan V N
Mukundarajan V N
Nov 28
It is astonishing that Bruce Lee the fighter was also a deep thinker. Fame did not distract him from looking inwards to search for answers to existential questions.A capacity for self-introspection and a philosophical disposition complemented Bruce Lee’s physical exploits as a martial artist.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Tommy Delarosbil
Tommy Delarosbil
Nov 29
I would never compare myself to this great man. He had so much influence on people before dying at the young age of 32 years old. Beside being smart, you need a charisma out of this world to achieve that.
Somehow, I see myself in Bruce Lee. I always searched for answers through my own lenses. I always believed in myself…
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Erik van Mechelen
Erik van Mechelen
Nov 29
Much of the time, the reason that most of the people who support a particular dogma do so is that of pure chance. Most of them were either born into it or it was the predominant infl...
This fact should be reminder of three things:
To have empathy and compassion for those espousing their un/chosen dogma
To help the dogmatic realize it is okay to let go their dogma
But first, to notice first the dogmatic in oneself, and shed it
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Christin Platzek
Christin Platzek
Nov 28
People often get too attached to whatever the source or example of their learning is, and although sometimes it can be good, much of the time it just steals their unique blueprint.
This couldn’t have come more timely for me.
Thank you for this brilliant article!
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Denis Murphy
Denis Murphy
Nov 28
Very well written article and some very useful points to keep in mind.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Darren Stehle
Darren Stehle
Nov 29
If you’re thinking the same things as everyone else, you’re generally also making the same mistakes as them
Wow! Powerful distinction/co-relation.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Roy Huff ♛
Roy Huff ♛
Nov 30
“Neither. I think of myself as a human being.”
Thank you!
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Chris Schenk
Chris Schenk
Nov 29
It’s just about thinking with caution.
This is a great sentence. I love how you wrote it.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Vico Biscotti
Vico Biscotti
Nov 29
Great article, Zat. Thank you.
I think you did honor the legacy of Bruce Lee.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Naulikha
Naulikha
Nov 29
Neither. I think of myself as a human being
Drops mic!
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Raph
Raph
Nov 29
Did he identify as Chinese or American? Bruce Lee looked at him before calmly saying:
“Neither. I think of myself as a human being.”
This bears another mention in this wave of nationalism. While it’s great to not forget your roots and know your heritage, we are all human beings sharing the same…
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of reni de sousa
reni de sousa
Nov 30
Thinking is an addiction, like anything else. It is all conditioned Thought, and
we are all parrots. Language is 26 alphabets. Whats there to think about?
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Action Press Stunts
Action Press Stunts
Nov 30
As usual Zat, insightful and inspiring. Thank you.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Shaun G. Si
Shaun G. Si
Nov 30
This is wonderful!!! I loved the fact that the article showed a different side of Bruce Lee. To many he is merely an excellent martial artist, but only a few see him as a brilliant thinker and one with a very philosophical mindset.
I have always been an advocate of learning (reading articles, watching TED Talks) but…
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Asim K
Asim K
Nov 30
thoroughly written article and some very useful factors to hold in mind.
<a href=”http://www.worldwidelifestyles.com/bodyweight-squats-everyday/">Bodyweight Squats Everyday</a>
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Phil Johnson
Phil Johnson
Nov 30
Another fantastic essay! Great work.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Action Press Stunts
Action Press Stunts
Nov 30
Your mind is responsible for whatever else comes your way in life.
“We become what we think about”
Earl Nightingale — The Strangest Secret
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Yester Vue
Yester Vue
Nov 29
For the most part he is usually labeled as a “Martial Artist” but I have always admired his views and the things he spoke on in interviews. I have always thought of him more as an “Artist” that ALSO excelled in the martial arts.
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Shubham Kanojiya
Shubham Kanojiya
Nov 30
Neither. I think of myself as a human being
Humble..
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of TheseEyesGod
TheseEyesGod
Nov 29
What an interesting article, revealing much not widely known about Bruce Lee. I’d call it excellent except for one omission — spirit or soul is even more important than mind in such things. 😉
~♥~
Applause from Zat Rana (author)
Go to the profile of Dr. C. Cat
Dr. C. Cat
Nov 30
The main reason why he was never truly accepted by the Chinese was because he was born in the US, San Francisco to be exact.
Investopedia: What is 'Minority Interest'?
Investopedia
Minority Interest
Share
What is 'Minority Interest'
A minority interest, which is also referred to as noncontrolling interest (NCI), is ownership of less than 50% of a company's equity by an investor or another company. For accounting purposes, minority interest is a fractional share of a company amounting to less than 50% of the voting shares. Minority interest shows up as a noncurrent liability on the balance sheet of companies with a majority interest in a company, representing the proportion of its subsidiaries owned by minority shareholders.
VIDEO
Unmute
BREAKING DOWN 'Minority Interest'
In accounting terms, if a company owns a minority interest in another company but only has a minority passive position, for example it is unable to exert influence holding only less than 20% of the subsidiary's voting stock, then only dividends received from the minority interest are recorded from this investment. This is referred to as the cost method; the ownership stake is treated as an investment at cost and any dividends received are treated as dividend income.
The alternative accounting method for a minority interest is referred to as the equity method, where the company has a minority active position, such as being able to exert influence by having greater than 20% but less than 50% of the voting shares. Both dividends and a percent of income are recorded on the company's books. Dividends are treated as a return of capital, decreasing the value of the investment on the balance sheet. The percentage of income the minority interest is entitled to from the company is added to the investment account on the balance sheet as it effectively increases its equity share in the company.
The parent company with the majority interest owns greater than 50% but less than 100% of a subsidiary's voting shares and recognizes a minority interest on its financial statements. The parent company consolidates the financial results of the subsidiary with its own, and as a result, a proportional share of income shows up on the parent company's income statement attributable to the minority interest. Likewise, a proportional share of equity in the subsidiary company shows up on the parent's balance sheet attributable to the minority interest. The minority interest can be found in the noncurrent liability section or equity section of the parent company's balance sheet under U.S. GAAP rules. Under IFRS, however, the minority interest must be recorded in the equity section of the balance sheet.
Example of Minority Interest
ABC Corporation owns 90% of XYZ Inc., which is a $100 million company. ABC records a $10 million minority interest as a noncurrent liability to represent the 10% of XYZ Inc. it does not own. XYZ Inc. generates $10 million in net income, so ABC recognizes $1 million, or 10% of $10 million, of net income attributable to minority interest on its income statement. Correspondingly, ABC marks up the $10 million minority interest by $1 million on the balance sheet. The minority interest investors do not record anything unless they receive dividends, which are booked as income.
Custodial Account
Share
A custodial account is a savings account accessible through a financial institution, mutual fund company or brokerage firm that an adult controls for a minor under the age of 18, depending on state laws. It can also be a retirement account handled for eligible employees by a custodian. In a custodial account, approval from the custodian is mandatory for a minor to transact securities.
BREAKING DOWN 'Custodial Account'
The custodian of these types of accounts is usually a parent or guardian of the minor. The investments administered in a custodial account are restricted to mutual funds and other comparable products offered by regulated investment companies.
Read More +
Work With Investopedia
About Us Advertise With Us Contact Us Careers
© 2017, Investopedia, LLC. Feedback All Rights Reserved Terms Of Use Privacy Policy
Minority Interest
Share
What is 'Minority Interest'
A minority interest, which is also referred to as noncontrolling interest (NCI), is ownership of less than 50% of a company's equity by an investor or another company. For accounting purposes, minority interest is a fractional share of a company amounting to less than 50% of the voting shares. Minority interest shows up as a noncurrent liability on the balance sheet of companies with a majority interest in a company, representing the proportion of its subsidiaries owned by minority shareholders.
VIDEO
Unmute
BREAKING DOWN 'Minority Interest'
In accounting terms, if a company owns a minority interest in another company but only has a minority passive position, for example it is unable to exert influence holding only less than 20% of the subsidiary's voting stock, then only dividends received from the minority interest are recorded from this investment. This is referred to as the cost method; the ownership stake is treated as an investment at cost and any dividends received are treated as dividend income.
The alternative accounting method for a minority interest is referred to as the equity method, where the company has a minority active position, such as being able to exert influence by having greater than 20% but less than 50% of the voting shares. Both dividends and a percent of income are recorded on the company's books. Dividends are treated as a return of capital, decreasing the value of the investment on the balance sheet. The percentage of income the minority interest is entitled to from the company is added to the investment account on the balance sheet as it effectively increases its equity share in the company.
The parent company with the majority interest owns greater than 50% but less than 100% of a subsidiary's voting shares and recognizes a minority interest on its financial statements. The parent company consolidates the financial results of the subsidiary with its own, and as a result, a proportional share of income shows up on the parent company's income statement attributable to the minority interest. Likewise, a proportional share of equity in the subsidiary company shows up on the parent's balance sheet attributable to the minority interest. The minority interest can be found in the noncurrent liability section or equity section of the parent company's balance sheet under U.S. GAAP rules. Under IFRS, however, the minority interest must be recorded in the equity section of the balance sheet.
Example of Minority Interest
ABC Corporation owns 90% of XYZ Inc., which is a $100 million company. ABC records a $10 million minority interest as a noncurrent liability to represent the 10% of XYZ Inc. it does not own. XYZ Inc. generates $10 million in net income, so ABC recognizes $1 million, or 10% of $10 million, of net income attributable to minority interest on its income statement. Correspondingly, ABC marks up the $10 million minority interest by $1 million on the balance sheet. The minority interest investors do not record anything unless they receive dividends, which are booked as income.
Custodial Account
Share
A custodial account is a savings account accessible through a financial institution, mutual fund company or brokerage firm that an adult controls for a minor under the age of 18, depending on state laws. It can also be a retirement account handled for eligible employees by a custodian. In a custodial account, approval from the custodian is mandatory for a minor to transact securities.
BREAKING DOWN 'Custodial Account'
The custodian of these types of accounts is usually a parent or guardian of the minor. The investments administered in a custodial account are restricted to mutual funds and other comparable products offered by regulated investment companies.
Read More +
Work With Investopedia
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© 2017, Investopedia, LLC. Feedback All Rights Reserved Terms Of Use Privacy Policy
Investopedia: How much, if any, influence do non-controlling interest shareholders have?
Investopedia
How much, if any, influence do non-controlling interest shareholders have? By Investopedia | July 13, 2015 — 11:04 AM EDT
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Answer:
Non-controlling interest shareholders do not typically have much influence. The level of influence can vary, however, depending on whether the company is public or private and what terms are contained in the equity ownership documents.
For public companies, the ownership is generally spread across a very significant number of shareholders such that any individual shareholder typically does not hold significant power. In order to gain influence, a shareholder typically must have 5 to 10% of the outstanding shares to gain a board seat. Once in a board seat, a shareholder cannot make decisions individually but can build consensus around the board. Alternatively, the shareholder could take a more hostile approach and begin making certain demands of the company and sharing those demands through letters to the public. This is an approach that corporate raiders such as Carl Icahn made famous in the 1980s.
For private companies, the dynamics can be a little different. Minority equity investments are usually privately negotiated transactions where the majority owner and potential investor negotiate the terms with which the investor would invest. In a negotiation, potential minority investors have many different tools to gain influence or power despite not having a controlling vote. These tools include preferred returns, liquidation preferences, board seats, consent rights, tag-along provisions and put options.
Preferred returns and liquidation preferences are similar in that they provide the minority equity investor a minimum level of return before the majority owner receives any value. This forces majority owners to make decisions differently than they otherwise would. Board seats and consent rights are also similar in that the minority investors negotiate what decisions can be made with a simple majority versus a super majority of the shares. If a partnership is 51/49%, a minority investor can demand that acquisitions, for example, require a 60% vote so that the majority owner cannot proceed without some minority approval. Tag-along provisions and put options are similar in that they give the minority investor a path to liquidity and can't be stuck owning the company forever if the majority owner never sells.
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How much, if any, influence do non-controlling interest shareholders have? By Investopedia | July 13, 2015 — 11:04 AM EDT
Share
Answer:
Non-controlling interest shareholders do not typically have much influence. The level of influence can vary, however, depending on whether the company is public or private and what terms are contained in the equity ownership documents.
For public companies, the ownership is generally spread across a very significant number of shareholders such that any individual shareholder typically does not hold significant power. In order to gain influence, a shareholder typically must have 5 to 10% of the outstanding shares to gain a board seat. Once in a board seat, a shareholder cannot make decisions individually but can build consensus around the board. Alternatively, the shareholder could take a more hostile approach and begin making certain demands of the company and sharing those demands through letters to the public. This is an approach that corporate raiders such as Carl Icahn made famous in the 1980s.
For private companies, the dynamics can be a little different. Minority equity investments are usually privately negotiated transactions where the majority owner and potential investor negotiate the terms with which the investor would invest. In a negotiation, potential minority investors have many different tools to gain influence or power despite not having a controlling vote. These tools include preferred returns, liquidation preferences, board seats, consent rights, tag-along provisions and put options.
Preferred returns and liquidation preferences are similar in that they provide the minority equity investor a minimum level of return before the majority owner receives any value. This forces majority owners to make decisions differently than they otherwise would. Board seats and consent rights are also similar in that the minority investors negotiate what decisions can be made with a simple majority versus a super majority of the shares. If a partnership is 51/49%, a minority investor can demand that acquisitions, for example, require a 60% vote so that the majority owner cannot proceed without some minority approval. Tag-along provisions and put options are similar in that they give the minority investor a path to liquidity and can't be stuck owning the company forever if the majority owner never sells.
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Read about the advantages and disadvantages of a non-controlling interest in a company, including large corporations and ... Read Answer >>
What is the relationship between minority interest discount and fair market value?
Learn how to determine the fair market value and minority interest discount for the sale of a share of a closely held corporation. Read Answer >>
When consolidating financials, how do you calculate Enterprise Value in cases that ...
Read about the impact of minority interests in the calculation of Enterprise Value in consolidation cases that involve minority ... Read Answer >>
How does privatization affect a company's shareholders?
The most recognized transition between the private and public markets is an initial public offering (IPO). Through an IPO, ... Read Answer >>
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Companies can obtain capital through common and preferred stock. Read Answer >>
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What is a Minority Interest?
A minority interest is an ownership or equity interest of less than 50% of an enterprise.
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Find out how a company's stock price reflects its value to internal and external shareholders.
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The Uniform Transfers to Minors Act enables minors to receive property or gifts without a guardian or trustee’s aid.
Managing Wealth
How To Sell Stock In Your Company
Selling even a small part of your business can be complicated.
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Minority Interest
1. A significant but non-controlling ownership of less than 5 ...
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© 2017, Investopedia, LLC. All Rights Reserved Terms Of Use Privacy Policy
Greenpeace Africa: NO Nuclear! Ask Minister to scrap new nuclear power plant
We're at the Department of Environmental Affairs to demand that the minister revokes the environmental authorization for a new nuclear power plant.
Hi,
LIVE from the Department of Environmental Affairs!
Greenpeace Africa and Earthlife Africa Jhb activists have chained themselves to the entrance of the department to send out a clear message:
We want the authorisation for a new nuclear plant near Cape Town to be withdrawn, we won't leave until our demands are met.
Nuclear is never safe, it's too expensive and renewable energy is a better option!
Send this letter to the Department of Environmental Affairs!
It is the minister's responsibility to ensure our constitutional right to a healthy environment. By green lighting this nuclear power station, the department is putting the lives of South Africans at risk, including future generations. Read more here.
We are calling on all South Africans to support us in our appeal to the Minister to retract the authorisation of the new nuclear power station for Duynefontein. Electricity tariffs are skyrocketing due to delays in Eskom’s new coal plant construction, we can expect the same (but at a MUCH larger scale) if SA invests in nuclear power. Don't allow the government to waste taxpayers’ money, have your say!
Send this letter to the department now!
Thank you for all that you do!
Penny-Jane Cooke,
Climate and Energy Campaigner,
Greenpeace Africa
Support Greenpeace Africa
Greenpeace Africa is funded by amazing individuals like you. We don't take money from the government or any private companies.
Contribute Now
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Greenpeace Africa,
293 Kent Ave,
Ferndale, Randburg, 2194,
South Africa
Hi,
LIVE from the Department of Environmental Affairs!
Greenpeace Africa and Earthlife Africa Jhb activists have chained themselves to the entrance of the department to send out a clear message:
We want the authorisation for a new nuclear plant near Cape Town to be withdrawn, we won't leave until our demands are met.
Nuclear is never safe, it's too expensive and renewable energy is a better option!
Send this letter to the Department of Environmental Affairs!
It is the minister's responsibility to ensure our constitutional right to a healthy environment. By green lighting this nuclear power station, the department is putting the lives of South Africans at risk, including future generations. Read more here.
We are calling on all South Africans to support us in our appeal to the Minister to retract the authorisation of the new nuclear power station for Duynefontein. Electricity tariffs are skyrocketing due to delays in Eskom’s new coal plant construction, we can expect the same (but at a MUCH larger scale) if SA invests in nuclear power. Don't allow the government to waste taxpayers’ money, have your say!
Send this letter to the department now!
Thank you for all that you do!
Penny-Jane Cooke,
Climate and Energy Campaigner,
Greenpeace Africa
Support Greenpeace Africa
Greenpeace Africa is funded by amazing individuals like you. We don't take money from the government or any private companies.
Contribute Now
color-facebook-96.png
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color-instagram-96.png
Greenpeace Africa,
293 Kent Ave,
Ferndale, Randburg, 2194,
South Africa
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