One of the largest questions that I ask myself when I consider the future of this world is how we will source our energy. In the present day, the world heavily relies on oil, gas and coal. In Nigeria, I observe the impact of fuel shortage on almost everything including transportation, business and even day-to-day cooking in most of the homes.

However, I also understand that relying on these fossil fuels is the burden rather than on the economy only but also on our health and the environment. That is why in my opinion, renewable energy represents the future which everyone should look at.

Renewable energy implies energy that is naturally available such as the sun, wind, water, and even plants. Such sources are also constant and they are never depleted as it happens to oil or coal. The experts have described that when fossil fuel is burned it emits green house gases that trap heat in the atmosphere leading to climate change.

This global warming of the earth also causes health issues like increased cases of heat stroke, malaria spreading further due to the ability of the mosquitoes to survive in hot places and poor air quality leading to asthma and lung disease. A clean energy switch will minimize these risks and enable the establishment of a healthier world.

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First of all, speaking about solar energy. Nigeria boasts of the sun most of the year. Nigeria, according to research, receives 6-7 hours of good sunshine per day. When properly utilized, millions of homes and hospitals can get electricity through solar power. The health benefits are huge. Suppose a rural clinic is being operated with ease as solar panels ensure the lights are on, the refrigerators containing the vaccines are moving, and life-saving machines are in operation.

Children would not need to study under kerosene lamps that are harmful into their lungs. Research indicates that kerosene, firewood, and charcoal burning smoke are some of the contributors of lung diseases and even eye complications. This is because substituting them with solar energy minimizes them and enhances community health.

Another good alternative is wind energy. There are regions in Nigeria such as the highland zones and coastline which have favorable wind speeds that can be used to produce electricity. Wind power plants do not pollute the atmosphere and can supply the national power in case they are well developed. Healthier air implies that respiratory diseases will be reduced.

The World Health Organization says that millions of people die annually across the world as a result of air pollution. Not only would we reduce pollution by investing in wind energy, but we would also make our cities healthier places where children will be able to spend their time playing without having to breathe the smoke of their generators.

Hydropower is already being utilized in Nigeria with such dams as Kainji and Shiroro, yet there is more that can be done. Water is a great source of energy when it is properly managed. It has the ability to power without giving rise to the production of harmful gases.

But this should be offset by environmental consideration, since the construction of dams may have an impact on the local communities and the ecosystem. Nevertheless, hydropower can be a renewable source that can supply hospitals, schools and industries without polluting the air we breathe, when planned well.

The future is also important with biomass energy that is generated through waste in agriculture. Nigeria has a high level of farm waste, which is not utilized. This can be converted into biogas that can be used to cook rather than using fire wood or charcoal. The use of firewood in cooking is among the silent killers of health in rural neighborhoods. The smoke results in chronic coughing, lung disease, and eye irritation particularly in women and children who spend more time around the fire. Biogas is less unclean and healthy and simultaneously, it alleviates deforestation.

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The future of renewable energy is not only on the technology, but also on the health and on the lives of people. Energy influences all things; clean water supply, food storage, transportation and healthcare. Indicatively, research indicates that electricity is essential in the safe running of hospitals. In the absence of dependable power, the surgeries can be postponed, incubators of the infants can become ineffective, and the vaccines can be spoiled. Renewable energy has the potential to provide stabilized power without jeopardizing the health and the planet.

Naturally, it has its difficulties. Renewable energy requires investment, sound policies and education. Most Nigerians lack faith in solar panels due to counterfeit products available in the market. There is a view that renewable energy is too costly.

Nevertheless, I would say that renewable energy is cheaper in the long run since it helps to save money on the expenses of hospital visits due to air pollution and ensure the safety of our environment. Places such as Germany, China and even South Africa are already registering good advancements in the area of renewable energy. Nigeria cannot be an exception.

As an individual, I occasionally daydream about the world where solar panels are attached to all homes, kids do their homework at night without having to bother about the sound of generators, and hospitals do not run out of electric power. I also wonder how our money that we use in bringing fuel in this country can be used to construct renewable energy facilities, provide employment opportunities and refurbish hospitals. This dream is not very distant provided that we begin.

I envision that in the future, renewable energy will be the primary source of power in Nigeria and the rest of the world. I also observe healthier families since the smoke produced by kerosene and firewood is substituted by clean solar power or biogas. I have fewer individuals with asthma, lung and high heat stress. I envision youth starting businesses that use renewable energy technologies and developing a powerful economy.

To sum it all, it is not only about light bulbs and electricity but it is about life, health, and the future that depends on the renewable energy. The burning of fossil fuels has ruined our earth and our bodies enough. The time to change is now.

When we invest in solar, wind, hydro power, and biomass, then we would have a cleaner world, people would be healthier and communities would be stronger. Renewable energy will be the lights that all of us should follow as a Nigerian guy who cares about the future. It is a renewable future and bright future.