Reply #16: It's a net reduction in pollution and greenhouse gases [View All]

[HamdenRice]

Coal fired power plants (South Africa has huge coal reserves) do pollute and emit greenhouse gases. But by concentrating the power generation in plants that are more efficient than open fire home braziers, there is a net reduction in pollution and greenhouse gases by putting people on the grid. Moreover, by concentrating the burning in one place it is possible to implement scrubbers and other point source pollution reduction strategies.

As we type on our electric powered computers and internet, listen to cds and watch dvds, and generally wastefully consume more electricity than any population on earth, we are hardly in a position to tell South Africa's black population they should not be allowed to get on the electrical grid for heating and cooking.