It seems like changes in the perceptions of women and the opportunities available to them need to come from African societies themselves. What role should or can NGOs and other non-African governments play in promoting Africa's underutilized resource?

It seems as though unless a society like Germany's is energy-conscious, there will be no push to change energy consumption habits. A society truly has to value the importance of renewable energies in order to take the necessary steps to use them. The aftermath of the earthquake in Japan should serve as a serious wake up call to the world. But unless people realize how real the threat of a nuclear disaster is, they will not be motivated to change habits or invest in renewable energies. The alternatives to nuclear energy need to be clearly spelled out to citizens, including their costs and consequences. If people aren't educated about the alternatives, their fear of something different and unknown will prevent them from supporting new ideas, especially during times of economic difficulty.

Government generally seeks to protect the health and well being of its citizens as well as to promote economic security so non-nuclear energy should be a top concern. Since the extent of the consequences of the nuclear disaster in Japan may never be fully known, is it fair to citizens to depend so much on nuclear energy? Are the risks of death, illness, and environmental degradation worth the benefit of nuclear energy?