MyAnna Buring, actress, campaigner and Mum, shares her thoughts on climate change and SolarAid with a special message to the world’s citizens:
The solar revolution is here and now. There’s more than enough solar power to easily provide all the energy the world needs – all we need to do is capture it! Like the video says, «The Solution Already Exists!» and SolarAid have been trying to spread the word since 2006. It’s up to us to create the change we want to see in the world!
The article below was published in Elle magazine in Sweden, as part of their “Stand for the Planet” article on the 8th of June, World Environment day which featured eco-women celebrities. Thanks to Elle and MyAnna for spreading the message, you can read the full article below.
WHEN DID YOU BECOME AWARE OF THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE?
Anyone my age and younger must have been living under a rock to not have been aware of the impacts of climate change from the time we could say ‘climate change’. For as long as I can remember we have heard about and seen evidence of the ice caps melting, droughts, and famine, wildlife dying and humans breathing in toxic air all due to climate change as a direct result of humans’ insistence to pollute.
HOW DID YOU BECOME ENGAGED WITH SOLAR AID?
I became involved with SolarAid in 2014 when I narrated the voice over for their excellent little video «The Solution Already Exists!», which explains how SolarAid help African entrepreneurs establish micro businesses to sell solar lights, which alleviates climate change and poverty at the same time! It’s an amazing and inspiring model – I highly recommend watching the video too – it’s only 1.5 minutes long.
WHAT IS SOLARAID’S GOAL AND MISSION?
SolarAid are working to eradicate the kerosene lamp from Africa and to provide clean, renewable energy to the 600 million people who currently live without any electricity at all.
WHAT WAS THE MOST SHOCKING THING YOU SAW “IN THE FIELD”?
When I was in Africa I was personally shocked by the use of kerosene lamps in the shanty towns. Using kerosene for lighting is basically like burning diesel in your home and the risk of the lamps causing fatal fires is extremely scary. The lamps also give off toxic fumes which cause air pollution and all sorts of health issues for entire families. Children often develop nasty respiratory illnesses. The advantages of solar lamps are clear.
AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OR MOVING?
I heard a story about some girls at a secondary school in Tanzania which was due to receive solar power but in the weeks before it got installed one of the girls knocked over a kerosene lamp in the night and 12 girls lost their lives in the fire. They were so badly burned that the bodies were unrecognisable and the girls had to be buried in a mass grave. Tragedies like this really make you realise the urgent need for solar.
WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT PROJECTS AND SOLARAID’S PROJECTS?
A TVs series I shot last year has just come out in Norway and soon in UK. My current projects are being a new Mum and writing both of which are entirely new and exciting adventures for me. SolarAid are working on developing new, cheaper ways to help people access solar power. Their SM100 solar light has helped drive down the cost of a basic solar light to just $5 in some regions and they have partnered up with micro-loan organisations to help people spread the cost of investing in solar.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR “MESSAGE” TO THE WORLD’S CITIZENS?
The solar revolution is here and now. There’s more than enough solar power to easily provide all the energy the world needs – all we need to do is capture it! Like the video says, «The Solution Already Exists!» and SolarAid have been trying to spread the word since 2006. It’s up to us to create the change we want to see in the world!