Abstract

The search for green/renewable energy such as hydropower, wind power, geothermal power, solar electricity and biomass which are environmentally clean is aimed at diversification of the energy matrix, mitigating against climate change and providing alternatives to the use of fossils fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) which are associated with greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, environmental degradation and climate change. Though east Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) lie within the tropics and have abundance of strong winds, receive heavy rainfall, abundant sunshine throughout the year and has many hot springs in the Rift Valley, the region has not been able to utilize these energy options due to many challenges. To come up with the challenges of climate change mitigation through green energy use, the study carried a research on energy sources available and used in the Lake Victoria basin and the socio-economic impact of using alternative sources of energy. The study established that: green energy sources were locally available, socially safe, economically affordable and environmentally friendly to all. It was found that 80% of the population use biomass energy. The improved stove and charcoal briquetting technologies were being used in Uganda and Kenya as some of the green energy technologies adopted, viable green energy technologies in rural areas were credited for reducing rural-urban migration, creation of jobs in the sector, and providing a platform for shared social and economic opportunities. It was also established that the following challenges hindered the adoption and utilization of other green energy options; remoteness of the location of hot springs, fluctuating rainfall regimes, lack of technical knowledge and lack of finances in trying to develop and use renewable energy sources as a mitigation to the vagaries of climate change. Charcoal burning contributed to global warming, deforestation of water catchment areas, reduced infiltration and drying of some rivers, for example, river sondu miriu in Kenya.

Key words: Climate change mitigation, green energy, fossil fuels, charcoal briquettes, improved stove.