The Global Search for Education: Climate Activist Chibeze Ezekiel Speaks With Gibson Kawago
This month, audiences can screen Net Zero Speaks with Gibson Kawago. This film is curated for the Planet Classroom Network by the Protect Our Planet Movement and Planet Classroom.
As the world increasingly shifts from fossil fuel power to emissions-free electrification, recycling batteries is considered a key strategy in the fight against climate change.
In Net Zero Speaks With Gibson Kawago, Climate Activist Chibeze Ezekiel interviews Kawago, the Founder and Chief Technical Officer of WAGA. WAGA aims to reuse laptop batteries and provide affordable, reliable and durable lithium-ion battery solutions. He also supports education for over 13 million people by solving digital problems and raising awareness of environmentally friendly technologies.
The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome Chibeze Ezekiel.
Chibeze, why did you select this particular climate thought leader to interview? What inspired you about him?
Gibson’s work approach is very similar to my work in Ghana, particularly regarding his strategy in communicating climate change. I’m inspired by how he carefully considers the best way to get the attention of people to accept the concept and impact of climate change by sharing real problems that the people can easily relate to. For example, since a lot of people are engaged in small or subsistence farming, he uses the changes in rainfall patterns and water scarcity to educate them as a key climate change effect potentially caused by human activities.
Another act of inspiration is how he sees opportunities in existing challenges such as people having health-related problems as a result of using kerosene lamps to study. He felt producing clean energy sources would be a great option as a solution. Even though he initially didn’t have the requisite knowledge and skills to embark on such an endeavor, he started using common sense by collecting mother-boards of old electronics from the rubbish dump and attempted to assemble them into power banks. It didn’t work as expected but he never gave up! He took advantage of an opportunity from a telecompany that offered “free” midnight internet service to research more about how to produce power banks. In the process, he discovered that lithium ion batteries can be used to charge mobile phones and produce power banks. Again, while university students were having problems with their laptop batteries frequently, he seized the opportunity to learn how to recycle laptop batteries. As a result of his in-depth knowledge, passion, resilience and commitment, he is now providing battery solutions for electric bikes in Tanzania, power banks, solar lamps, and street lights. He’s even now producing WAGA parts that can power a household.
What surprised you most about your interview?
What surprised me most is that Gibson, in spite of his amazing work and recognition at a very young age, operates from a very small garage. He’s also a musician, music producer and develops documentaries. He used to be called WANTED because old people were crowding at his garage to solve their problems.
What are the 3 main takeaways for the Net Zero audience from your interview?
I think firstly, it’s never too late to start small.
Secondly, believe in your aspiration and work at it.
Finally, always look out for opportunities in the midst of challenges or difficulties.
Thank you Chibeze!
C.M. Rubin and Chibeze Ezekiel
Don’t Miss Net Zero Speaks with Gibson Kawago, now streaming on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated for the Planet Classroom Network by the Protect Our Planet Movement and Planet Classroom.