Summary of Jusper Machogu: Hard reality of a low-CO2 lifestyle | Tom Nelson Pod #127

00:00:00 - 00:55:00

Jusper Machogu, a farmer from Kenya, discusses the challenges and realities of living a low-CO2 lifestyle in Africa. He explains how most people in his village cannot afford modern appliances and rely on manual labor for tasks such as cooking, farming, and fetching water. Machogu also highlights the limitations of solar power due to frequent rain and clouds and advocates for the use of affordable energy sources like hydro and geothermal power. He emphasizes the importance of synthetic fertilizers and fossil fuel energy to increase food production and economic development in Africa. Machogu criticizes Western countries for imposing restrictions on Africa's development and praises China's involvement in providing lower interest loans and infrastructure projects. He calls for a greater focus on Africa's basic needs, such as food security and access to affordable energy, rather than prioritizing climate concerns.

• 00:00:00 In this section, Justin Machogu, a farmer from Kenya, discusses his experience with sustainable agriculture and the reception to his tweet thread on farming in Africa. He explains that he wanted to show people how they practice sustainable farming without much fertilizer, relying mostly on manual labor and using manure instead. The tweet gained viral attention, with some notable figures, such as Alex Epstein, retweeting his work. Machogu also highlights the lack of farm machinery in Africa, with only a small percentage of farmers having access to it. He describes the backbreaking labor he personally undertakes, using simple tools like a hoe and machete. Additionally, he mentions the high cost of electricity in his area, which is a hindrance to using alternative sources of power.
• 00:05:00 In this section, Jusper Machogu explains the challenges of living a low-CO2 lifestyle in his village in Kenya. Due to poverty, most people in his village cannot afford modern appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, or laundry machines, so they do things manually. He mentions that giving them electricity wouldn't change much because they don't have much use for it. Their electricity usage is mainly for lighting, charging phones, and using a TV and radio. Internet access is primarily through phones, and they rely on firewood for cooking, with some occasional use of charcoal. Jusper highlights the irony of people complaining about pollution while they use firewood for cooking in Africa, where about 90% of energy is obtained from burning biomass.
• 00:10:00 In this section, Jusper Machogu discusses the low-CO2 lifestyle in sub-Saharan Africa, where almost 90% of energy is derived from burning biomass. He explains that people in his area use materials like wood, dung, and bricks made from firewood to build their houses. Cooking is done with fires inside the houses, causing smoky conditions. Traveling long distances is mostly done by motorbike, which has transformed the economy and provided employment opportunities. Machogu also mentions the scarcity of solar energy due to frequent lack of sunlight and the challenge of fetching water by carrying heavy loads on foot. While there are a few cars and trucks in his village, they make up only a small percentage of the overall transportation.
• 00:15:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the lifestyle in the village where he lives, explaining that most people grow their own food as there are no online businesses or jobs available. He mentions that urbanization is not common in Africa, with the majority of people living in rural areas. People in towns find ways to buy food, as they are not directly involved in the agriculture industry. When it comes to storing food, they cook what they can eat and ferment milk to prevent it from going bad. The speaker also mentions that there are cooperative societies where farmers sell their milk. He mentions the nearest large farm with tractors is around 30-40 kilometers away. Water scarcity is a challenge during droughts, with people having to wait for several hours to fetch water. Some schools have wells, but they are not available for the entire community. As for wood, most farmers have planted trees and can generate revenue by selling them.
• 00:20:00 In this section, Jusper Machogu discusses how Western countries, particularly the United States and the European Union, hinder Africa's development by imposing restrictions that clash with their own climate goals. He gives examples such as the US refusing to mine copper in Africa while planning to do so in Minnesota and the EU canceling plans to build fertilizer plants in Africa due to climate concerns. Machogu argues that without access to fertilizers, Africa cannot develop or produce its own food, and organic farming alone is not sustainable. He contrasts this with Russia, which has sent thousands of tons of fertilizer to Africa to help them grow their own food and create employment opportunities. He also mentions China's active involvement in Africa, with lower interest rates on loans and infrastructure projects through its Belt and Road initiative.
• 00:25:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the concerns and frustrations of Africans regarding the priorities of global powers like the US and China in Africa. While Kamala Harris visited African countries to talk about technological advancements like 5G, many Africans are more concerned about basic needs such as food security. The speaker also highlights the stark differences in fertilizer usage between Africa and China, pointing out that while China uses a large amount of fertilizer for agricultural purposes, Africa lags significantly behind. This, along with the exploitation of Africa's resources and the fear of African development, leads to a discussion about the hidden agendas behind global powers' involvement in Africa. The conversation touches on issues like sustainable debt slavery and land grabs. The speaker expresses a desire to learn more about the work of Whitney Webb and Ian Davis, who study these topics.
• 00:30:00 In this section, Jusper Machogu discusses the agricultural potential of Africa and how access to synthetic fertilizers and fossil fuel energy could significantly increase food production. He challenges the narrative of environmental organizations that claim Africa is facing unprecedented droughts, pointing out historical periods of severe drought that were much worse in the past. Machogu argues that access to fossil fuel energy would enable irrigation and desalination projects that could transform arid regions into productive agricultural land. He also mentions that people in his area are not concerned about climate change because they have more immediate concerns, such as food security. Additionally, he mentions the benefit of solar power due to the equatorial location.
• 00:35:00 In this section, Jusper Machogu discusses the limitations of using solar panels for electricity in Kenya. He mentions that although Kenya has a good amount of sunshine, it also has a lot of rain and clouds, which reduces the efficiency of solar panels. Additionally, he argues that nuclear power is too expensive for Africa and advocates for using fossil fuels like hydro and geothermal energy, which are more affordable. He supports his argument by referencing a peer-reviewed paper that compared the cost of using a solar panel versus a diesel generator in rural Tanzania, concluding that the generator was a more cost-effective option. As for Kenya's current power grid, Machogu explains that most of the electricity comes from geothermal, hydro, and wind sources, with wind power being the largest in Africa. Regarding agriculture, he mentions that Kenya doesn't produce a significant amount of food crops, and fertilizer prices have significantly increased, leading to decreased production.
• 00:40:00 In this section, Jusper Machogu discusses the challenges faced by farmers in Kenya and the impact of rising prices on agriculture. He mentions that farmers often don't produce enough to meet the country's staple food crop needs, such as maize, and have to import from other countries, including Rwanda. He also highlights the issue of cut flowers being a major business in Kenya, with many being exported to western countries, instead of focusing on growing food for local consumption. Machogu expresses his preference for farmers to prioritize food production over exports. Additionally, he talks about the recent protests in Kenya against the government's increase in fertilizer and fuel prices, which have led to higher costs for farmers and consumers. He believes that citizens taking to the streets to demand change is a positive step in holding the government accountable. Furthermore, he mentions the influence of external factors on Kenyan policies and notes that if left to make their own decisions, the country may not engage in such "crazy stuff." However, he acknowledges that Kenya's President has been vocal in advocating for climate change action.
• 00:45:00 In this section, Jusper Machogu discusses the push for African countries to go green and how it may hinder their development. He also mentions that there are very few people speaking out about these issues in Africa, with most people more concerned about everyday survival. Jusper talks about the lack of response to his internship offers to climate activists like Greta Thunberg and highlights the stark contrast between their comfortable lifestyles and the harsh reality experienced by many African children who lack basic necessities like clean water. Jusper expresses the importance of helping people understand the challenges faced in Africa, and Tom commends him for his efforts in raising awareness.
• 00:50:00 In this section, the speaker mentions that they have not been able to travel outside their local area or the country, but they have had the opportunity to travel within Kenya. They have visited various places, including manufacturing industries, processing industries, and renewable energy sources. The speaker expresses their desire to travel everywhere, speak on podcasts, and spread knowledge about living a low-CO2 lifestyle. They emphasize their goal of providing energy for Africa and helping the continent develop. The speaker also discusses the four pillars of modern civilization, which include synthetic fertilizers, plastics, steel, and cement. They mention that funding, particularly for a laptop and travel expenses, would be helpful in spreading their message. They suggest sharing their work, following them on social media, and potentially buying them a coffee as ways to support them. Additionally, the speaker discusses their mode of transportation within Kenya, which involves taking a motorbike from their home to Nairobi.
• 00:55:00 In this section, Jusper Machogu discusses the need for energy in Africa and the importance of improving agriculture for economic development. He emphasizes that Africa requires affordable and accessible energy, such as fossil fuels, to run industries and improve living standards. Machogu also touches upon the role of China in Africa's development, stating that while they may have hidden agendas, their focus on Africa's flourishing is a positive step. He expresses the desire for Africa to rely on its own resources, particularly oil, and attract investors rather than depend on aid. Machogu concludes by stating that Africa needs energy, not assistance, from Western nations for its growth.