Messy Conversations: Magatte Wade, Atlas Network's Center for African Prosperity
Nov 1, 2023
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Magatte Wade, who runs the Center for African Prosperity at the Atlas Network, discusses the relationship between poverty, climate crisis, and free speech. They explore indigenous land control, energy poverty, and the need for collaboration in Africa's development. The podcast also delves into the conflict between activists and the Atlas network regarding free speech and property rights.
Activists' actions should respect property rights while exercising free speech.
Access to affordable and reliable energy sources is crucial for African development.
An inclusive approach is needed, where the global North supports African development and reduces emissions.
Deep dives
Misunderstanding on Free Speech and Property Rights
There is a discrepancy in understanding between activists voicing their disagreement through free speech and the Atlas Network's focus on property rights. While activists argue that their actions are protected under free speech, the Atlas Network emphasizes the importance of respecting property rights. They believe that individuals have the right to express their opinions but should not touch, deface, or destroy property. This principle is crucial for entrepreneurship and the protection of property. As long as protesters do not infringe on property rights, the Atlas Network does not have an issue with their actions.
Balancing Energy Poverty and Climate Change
The conversation also touches on the challenge of solving energy poverty in Africa while addressing climate change concerns. While there is a push for renewable energy, the technological feasibility and accessibility of renewables remains limited. It is important to support entrepreneurship in Africa and provide access to affordable and reliable energy sources. This support should be source agnostic, allowing countries to choose the most suitable and efficient energy options, be it fossil fuels, hydro, nuclear, or renewables. It is acknowledged that the climate movement has failed Africa, as development and prosperity are hindered without access to cheap energy, but blindly transitioning to renewables without a scalable solution is unrealistic.
The Need for a Comprehensive Approach
It is highlighted that a comprehensive approach is necessary, one that addresses both climate change and energy poverty. This requires the global North to transition away from fossil fuels while supporting African development. The criticism is directed toward rich countries and companies that develop oil and gas resources in Africa without actively working to solve energy poverty. Contracts are often locked in for decades, hindering progress. An inclusive approach is advocated, where the global North reduces emissions and decarbonizes rapidly while providing affordable energy options to Africa, allowing for development and climate action simultaneously.
The importance of economic freedom for African nations
The speaker emphasizes the significance of economic freedom in Africa for addressing issues such as energy poverty and ensuring fair treatment from oil and gas companies. They argue that as long as African nations remain poor, they will continue to have unfavorable contracts and deals with these companies. The speaker believes that the key to change lies in building prosperity through entrepreneurship, creating a market that attracts investment and enables Africans to have a say in how their resources are managed.
Challenging misconceptions about climate activists and developing countries
The speaker challenges the perception that all climate activists are rich white kids and highlights the diversity within the movement. They point out that activists, especially in developing countries, are fighting for their own communities and often face significant risks. The speaker emphasizes the need for global cooperation, fair efforts, and integration of climate considerations into development policies. They argue that developing nations should not be seen as a monolith, as there are differing views on fossil fuels and renewable energy within these countries.
We'll be back with the rest of our anti-protest season soon, but in the meantime, welcome to a new Drilled miniseries we're calling "Messy Conversations," getting into all the complicated nuance that unfortunately gets cut out of a lot of climate conversations. This week, Magatte Wade, who runs the Center for African Prosperity at the Atlas Network. She wasn't too happy with our recent coverage of Atlas, so we talked about that, the idea that solving poverty and addressing the climate crisis are mutually exclusive, where free speech ends and property rights begin for libertarians, and a whole lot more.
Links:
Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC): https://www.arcforum.com/
DeSmog profile of ARC: https://www.desmog.com/alliance-for-responsible-citizenship-arc/
DeSmog coverage of ARC 2023 forum: https://www.desmog.com/2023/10/26/gop-climate-denier-vivek-ramaswamy-headlining-jordan-peterson-arc-conference/
Narasimha Rao's Decent Living Energy Project: https://www.decentlivingenergy.org/
