WILD BW: OF GOLD MEDALS AND GREEN GAMES. THE GREAT AND THE UNCLEAR

Oshinka Tsiang: Reflecting on Botswana's Green Games and Future Challenges

A Glorious Moment for Botswana

As expected, Botswana athletes delivered a glorious moment for the country on Sunday with a breathtaking performance by the four by four relay team. That finish by Collen Kebinatshipi in front of the ecstatic home crowd, not to mention the unrestrained joy exhibited by President Duma Boko, is the stuff of folk tales. The games and the team brought much-needed relief to a nation grappling with a flood of bad news, including rising fuel prices, a foot-and-mouth outbreak that has literally taken meat off Batswana’s menu, a health crisis, and uncertainty surrounding corruption investigations. It’s easy to understand why the President declared a half-day for workers to celebrate the gold medal win. It was a fitting finale.

The Greening of the Games

While many focused on the athletic performances, another significant development quietly unfolded behind the scenes: the greening of the games. Specifically, the strict use of electric vehicles for transporting athletes and officials. As part of the conditions for hosting the games in Botswana, the country had to demonstrate how the event would be climate-friendly. This is where the Botswana government’s electric vehicle project comes into play.

This project, initiated by the previous administration, has been adopted and kept alive by the new government as the country consolidates its green status. Several solar projects are also emerging across the nation, such as the Jwaneng Mine 100-megawatt project and the Mmadinare Solar Project yielding 120 megawatts, along with others in Letlhakane, Maun, Lobatse, and Bobonong. These initiatives aim to ease the country’s energy needs, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and lower electricity costs.

The Hidden Costs of Solar Energy

While this sounds fantastic on paper, there are costs that many proponents of these innovations often overlook. For starters, an incalculable amount of biodiversity was impacted during the clearing of the Jwaneng Solar Park. Reports suggest that critical advice on the environmental impact of the project may have been ignored in the rush to deliver. That patch of land is now lost to any other use except solar for the foreseeable future. If this pattern is replicated across the country, the potential loss of biodiversity could be significant. It warrants thorough investigation.

Other issues that rarely receive media attention include the lifespan of solar equipment and the biodegradability of the materials used. Traditional solar panels are not biodegradable. They are made from glass, aluminum, silicon, and polymers, designed to last 25–30 years rather than break down naturally. While up to 95% of materials can be recycled, most panels currently end up in landfills, where they pose environmental risks due to small amounts of toxic elements like lead and cadmium. In other words, the energy may not be as green as it seems.

The Future of Energy in Botswana

With the development of numerous solar farms, along with domestic and farm installations, we may be heading toward an environmental catastrophe. We already struggle with plastic pollution and the indiscriminate dumping of waste. For those of us fortunate enough to walk in the bush for work or leisure, these issues are not just eyesores; they are health hazards that infiltrate our food chain.

As for the cost of solar energy, we can confidently say that we get sunshine for free on a clear day. However, the costs associated with energy storage and reliability are questionable. Additionally, solar energy cannot adequately power heavy industries like steel or cement manufacturing. This realization suggests that fossil fuels will likely remain part of our energy landscape for some time.

Moreover, the economic value of solar energy will remain limited unless we manufacture critical components such as batteries, cables, and inverters within the country. Jobs will primarily be limited to installation. The trade-off between potential losses from fossil fuels and the pursuit of emission reduction obligations may not be as beneficial as it appears.

Lessons from Global Trends

Looking at trends in countries that have aggressively pursued green energy, such as Germany, we see a cautionary tale. After shutting down its nuclear reactors, more than half of the German population is now calling for a return to nuclear energy due to high energy import costs.

It may seem appealing to be viewed as leaders in the new green deal through our early adoption of green energy and compliance with global targets. However, it is essential to pause and assess the broader implications. Some stories may prompt a necessary recalibration of our approach.

Conclusion: A Call for Reflection

As we celebrate the aftermath of the Debswana World Athletics Relay, we must also reflect on the wins that demand our attention when the euphoria fades. Botswana delivered partly green games, but the journey ahead requires careful consideration of the environmental and economic implications of our choices.

In this context, we must ask ourselves: Are we truly on the right path? The future of Botswana's wildlife and conservation efforts may depend on our ability to navigate these complex challenges thoughtfully.

---wix---