DEFORESTATION FEARS AMID INCREASED POWER LOAD SHEDDING IN ZAMBIA

Zambia has announced an increase in Electricity tariffs and load shedding to 17 hours per day.

The media Network Action on climate change (MENACC) has expressed saddeness over the impending increase in electricity tariffs by as much as 150 percent and load shedding from 12 to 17 hours per day.

According to MENACC, the two developments are a minus to preservation and conservation of the country 's forests and the fight against climate change.

Solar power and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use penetration among Zambians still remain very low as alternative sources of energy. This only means use of charcoal and firewood as sources of energy will drastically increase translating into more trees cut for charcoal production purposes.

Deforestation as a result of charcoal production and farming purposes are some of the major factors contributing to release of carbon dioxide one of the harmful green house gases responsible for global warming.

MENACC therefore wishes to urge government to double up it's efforts in promotion and sensitization on alternative sources of energy beyond solar and LPG.

Providing tax incentives on importation of solar and LPG equipment is highly commendable but government must review this policy to understand it's impact in the face of the climate crisis.

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