There is no doubt that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. In the last 150 years the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has skyrocketed, particularly carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. We know that these gases accelerate climate change because they trap heat in the atmosphere, thus producing an increase in the earth’s average temperature.
The role of technological innovation in addressing societal problems such as air pollution and water pollution is a more recent development. Unlike innovations in industries such as pharmaceuticals or electronics—where the result is new products that consumers desire and want, there is little or no “natural” market for most environmental technologies whose function is to reduce or eliminate a pollutant discharge to the environment.
Technological change on a massive scale will be needed to achieve large reductions in global GHG emissions. The development and adoption of new technologies is an essential element of any comprehensive response to climate change. Multi-link seeks to be on the forefront in promoting the adoption of these technologies as a way of securing a cleaner, healthier future for Africa, and the region.