It was whilst watching Arnold Schwarzenegger’s blunt Clean Energy message to Donald Trump on the back of Trump announcing that he is pulling the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement that I was gently struck on the head with a thought:
Position Nelson Mandela Bay as the Renewable Energy hub of South Africa whilst cleaning up our environment, rivers, air and surroundings in order to attract renewable energy tourists, experts and eco-tourists from all over the world.
If California can do it then nothing can stop us from getting the leap on other metropolitan municipalities in South Africa.
Our city needs a singular focus that will sweep us into a sustainable future that creates jobs, empowers small entrepreneurs and, to borrow from Trump and Macron; “Make our city great again!”
Examples:
- A clean energy eco-lodge in Soweto on Sea on the shores of the Salt Pans.
- Tours of the many wind farms that dot our region.
- Special rates for all guest accommodation establishments that embrace renewable energy and water harvesting.
- A central renewable energy tourism desk that ONLY promotes tourist destinations that use clean and renewable energy.
- A public database of all clean energy installations.
- Tours of renewable energy manufacturing plants.
- Dam tours.
- Tours of homes and commercial businesses with renewable energy installations.
- Lectures on renewable energy.
- Art exhibitions featuring renewable energy.
- All municipal buildings to be powered by renewable energy.
- Clean energy boat based tours – sail or solar energy only.
- More recharging stations for electric vehicles.
- Our remaining vehicle manufacturers launch our own local electric vehicle models.
- Relaxing of the 5 Kilowatt restriction on private home grid-tie solar installation.
- Installing grid-tie on ATTP homes – effectively renting the roof space and lowering the cost of electricity presently provided for free.
- ……..
All it takes is the will to commit and support of all within the region to embark on this new and exciting future.
More: Lessons for PE in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s blunt Clean Energy message to Donald Trump