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Go Green in AddisMaking environmentally friendly choicesInitiative Africa, a local non-governmental organization(NGO), in collaboration withtheprivate,public, international,NGOs, and academia is tohold the first international GoGreen Afrique-Africa fair andconference at Addis AbabaExhibition Center from June23 to 26.Arinouncing to the press atJupiter Hotel, the ExecutiveDirector of Initiative Africa,Kebour Ghenna, stressedthe need to be fast if we wantto tackle pressing issues asvaried as energy security andefficiency, and at the sametime keep climate change onagenda He said "Our life istotally connected in one way orthe other with the consumptionof energy. If the present sourceof energy for transportation andvarious use runs out, think for awhile what would happen to ourdaily life. We may not face anenergy drought right away butwe should begin to think aboutalternative means today."
"We need to bring suchissues to the forefront of thepublic's attention and worktoward solutions so that wecan hand over a safe andhealthy environment for" thenext generation just like ourancestors did for us. We mustfind alternative technologiesto sustain economic and social
wellbeing, he added, explainingthe reason behind this event."The concept of Go Green isto try and bring about answersas to how to tackle the currentenergy crisis. The fair willoffer visitors an in-depth lookat the growing green revolutionand what is available in termsof renewable energy sources,products, services, but alsoacademicians to discuss and .leam a better organized way oflife. n.us is all about being andgoing green.
Over 30 workshops andpresentations are plannedwhile about 100 exhibitingorganizations from Ethiopiaand
Africa, working on advancingenvironmental responsibilitywill participate.
"The Growth andTransformation Plan (GTP),aspires to reach an emissionrate of zero by 2025. Thatis why 47 institutions areparticipating in this initiative,"added Negash Tekle (Phd),head of PRE (populationHealth Environment Integrationin Ethiopia), "our economicendeavor needs an integratedapproach."
"Our country, second in Africain population size, sees itscities polluted, and less andless green space, we hope this
event will help educate peopleand answer soDie questions,"he said, pointing that oureconomic growth must beenvironment friendly.
Humans create pollutionwherever they go. In order tomitigate the impact of humanaction against the environment,there must be an initiative" tosafeguard the planet. In the faceof increasing world population,now at seven billion, theconcern for the environmenthas become a hot issue.
"Today the only way for Africato develop is to go green giventhe experience of other nationsand the challenges they are
facing. Green technologiescan ensure sustainabledevelopment," said Dr. ArayaAsfaw, Head of Horn of AfricaRegional Environment Centerand Network, "It is a timelyand relevant issue and manyemerging businesses shall bepromoted during the Go Greenfair."
In reply to questions related tothe objectives and sustainabilityof the Fair, Kebour Ghennaexplained that the 'Go Green'event is a journey and nota destination. He said theFair is designed to help usrevolutionize the knowledgeand facts available for climate
vulnerable communities.The Fair will demonstrateproducts and services that areecologically friendly, as wellas practices that will save lives,prevent disasters and makeagriculture, health and waterservices more robust.
The event is a collaborativeeffort between Initiative Africaand Population Health andEnvironment (PRE), Horn 01Africa Regional EnvironmentCenter and Network, Cordaid,Henrich Boll Stiftung EthiopiaAREA, and World Futur(Council, ECOPIA, EthiopiarChamber of Commerce, anethe Pan African Youth Union.
