Reaction: The Digital Divide

While reading Jessica’s Blog, From the Middle of Nowhere to Everywhere, I came across her concerns for the great digital divide. As I read through, her concerns about technology not reaching all parts of the parts of the world, mainly Africa, are very real and need to be address soon. Her main fears, or concerns, include: the rest of the world not caring about those in desperate need of technology to make their lives better; language barriers and the inability to use the technology anyway, due to lack of equipment and power. What can we do to help? And how have other places with the same problems found a way to solve them?

Jessica gave a good example of how to deal with the electricity issue: solar energy. Solar energy is one of the most powerful resources we have. Computers that were mentioned in class discussion that only cost $100 for children around the world rely on solar energy for recharging. Organizations are providing solar energy to many countried in Africa now. Solar Energy for Africa is one of them. Their Web site says 25,000 homes, hospitals, schools and other important buildings have used solar energy in the last decade in Eastern Africa. The National Solar Power Research Institute says Africa is good place for solar energy due to how much land is along the equator.

Not only will solar energy provide so much power to the poorer people of Africa, but it will also keep pollution down. Electricity causes pollution. You can actually see how much pollution you cause at this “pollution calculator” site. By typing in how much you paid in electricity this month and your state, it can give you details about your estimated annual electricity usage and how many pounds of greenhouse gases are let into the atmosphere because of you. It’s enough to make me want to type by candlelight.