An adaptation of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) “Playing My Part” report.
In the days leading up to the 2023 general elections, almost everyone in the country felt the crunch of the fuel scarcity fiasco. The shuttered fuel stations and unbelievably long queues were dead giveaways that something horribly wrong was happening in our downstream sector. Prices at fuel pumps hit the roof as attendants milked our desperation for all it was worth and then some.
Well, I come bearing a deceptively alluring and vindictive message that must have crossed your mind at some point in time if you ever had to deal with one of those queues.
Let's boycott them altogether.
Hear me out!
We all did those demand curves and price elasticity topics back in secondary school where that teacher we were fond of would say,
"If the demand for a product declines, then, ceteris paribus, the price will also have to decline”
probably due to supply now being in excess or something to that effect. That's the logic these folks reverse-psyched us with, and I think two can play that game. At least if we all got together this week and boycotted them all, the supply glut would make for exciting times.
Kidding! I am kidding!
Our daily lives are so dependent on energy that pulling off something like that would be an epic disaster in more ways than one. Let the thought percolate though.
In the meantime, let's talk about that energy we all need to get through the day. We go through each day, not realizing how interwoven it is into the fabric of our existence until something reminds us of it. From our devices which have to be constantly or regularly powered, to the clothes we press, cos we need to go out looking spick-and-span; the foods we prepare or order, to the vehicles by which we and these necessities move around. Energy is needed all around us, constantly.
We live in a country where the supply of this much-needed commodity still has not matched its demand. To put this in perspective, as of the end of 2021, neighboring Ghana, with less than one-fifth of Nigeria's population, was generating electricity several orders of magnitude higher than what we were producing. Given this not-so-bright picture, stretching what we have out so it is maximally and optimally utilized is a laudable goal everyone should strive for.
The University of Ibadan’s energy mix is a melting point of both renewable and non-renewable power sources, as each building, department, or unit tries to meet its energy needs one way or the other. Most of our energy comes from government distribution lines, hopefully, hydro-powered. When this power artery hiccups, sub-divisions of the institution make up for the supply shortfall using either solar panels, petrol or diesel-powered generators, or prayers.
As members of this institution, we can each play a part in improving the energy efficiency of this microcosm of our society. With small actions, you and I can make a big difference.
So let's get right to it, shall we? Make energy champions out of the lot of ya💀
Turn off or use less air-conditioning
This one is fairly easy to spot. If you set your air conditioner to 1°C warmer, you could reduce the electricity used by almost 10%. It always feels nice to come into a room where the cooling system has been working for a while, with the temperature in that comfy zone where all seems to be right in your corner of the world. So the urge to leave AC units or fans up and running even when the room is not in use is one temptation everyone regularly faces on campus. But, we could improve the efficiency of the university's power grid by shutting down or reducing the cooling system’s workloads according to the type of room or when the room is not in use.
A stellar example of someone who actively practices this in the department is Dr. Sarah Akintola. Students who have had to take classes in PLLT will be able to attest to how she walks in at random times to confirm that doors and windows are closed when the AC in the lecture hall is up and running. In the words of a senior member of the department,
If your class hasn't had to plead with her at one point or the other because you had the air-conditioners up and running while forgetting to shut the windows or door of the lecture hall, then your baptism into the department is not yet complete.
Work from home
The motorists on campus will hate me for this, but commuting accounts for a good portion of the campus's energy needs.
Are those tricycles and cabs plying the Awo-Pharmacy route running on vibes and Insha'Allah?
Since the COVID pandemic, the average person is now more aware of virtual platforms that suffice for the tasks they need to come into the office for. Classes can be held virtually, the same as meetings and assessments.
Teleworking is one strategy that should be encouraged whenever possible. Working from the comfort of one's home or hostel saves money and eliminates the need to burn fuel. If one's schedule allows it, working at home could significantly reduce expenses associated with energy use.
Use your car more economically
This is the part where vehicle owners tell me to be extra cautious when crossing roads in the future, but hear me out, please😀
A lot of trips on campus are made with just a single occupant. Pooling car trips with friends or colleagues, especially now that tariffs have been increased on campus, saves fuel or money.
Setting your air conditioning slightly warmer will immediately improve the car's fuel economy.
Leaving your car parked on less busy days of the week, like Saturdays and Sundays when you’re moving around on campus, could save money and promote public health, community-oriented spaces, and cultural events.
Taking a walk instead of hopping into your car for those short distances that cost way more fuel than is necessary is another way to be responsible stewards of our collective energy basket. You will reduce air pollution and congestion in your area and potentially improve your health
And there is a lot more that individuals and divisions in the school’s system can do to encourage energy sustainability and efficiency on campus;
Popularise the use of energy hubs on campus. I said “hubs” but in all honesty, only one building fits the bill I have in mind, the Eco-friendly Center. Designed to be powered by solar panels and encourage the recycling of waste into more environmentally-sustainable products, the concept is one that could help encourage decentralized and autonomous power generation on campus.
Investing in solar panels as an alternative power source. These could help reduce the load on the central grid during peak usage periods, be the backup power source for when “NEPA” takes their power, or reduce energy costs incurred in keeping appliances up and running.
Installing smart controls and digital thermostats to optimize usage patterns.
Switching off and disconnecting appliances when they are not in use.
It is a thankless venture, but for those who genuinely have environmental sustainability at heart and are interested in helping advance energy efficiency practices, little raindrops make the mighty ocean; eventually, that is.
Let us help make UI (first and the best😉) greener.
Disclaimer once again before y’all come after me with pitchforks.
This article is an adaptation of the IEA’s report in the aftermath of the Ukraine-Russia debacle, on what steps EU citizens could take to save money, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and help the planet.