The highly publicized UGShs 180 million wind and solar energy street lights commissioned to light Uganda’s Kampala and Entebbe roads have been non-functional for the last three months. This comes in the wake of environmental activists putting pressure on governments to enact legislations that will cut global warming.

What can Africa learn from the Live Earth hype? First, the continent should not allow itself to be the battle ground for external wars. Ninety-five percent of people in Sub-Saharan Africa don't have electricity. Radical greens however battle every mode of electricity except solar and wind power. Africa, bequeathed with 12 hours of sunshine and plenty of wind, should make more use of solar and wind energy. The continent should however not be restricted from exercising the sovereignty of exploring alternative energy options.

Second, the culture of measurement ought to be inculcated in the continent. Measurement is essential to every aspect of human activity ranging from production control in the industries, environmental quality, health, safety and consumer protection, among others. Madonna’s annual ‘carbon footprint’ emissions for example are estimated at around 100 times the average Briton’s. Al Gore, the radical environmental activist uses 20 times more electricity and natural gas than the average American—and more electricity than 25 million Ugandans use in a year.  He however refuses to cut back on it but advocates that Africa should embrace wind and solar power and cut back on its electricity use. Measurement therefore exposes this hypocrisy.

Measurement will enable Africa carry out an inventory of itself and determine whether its policies are productive or counterproductive. It is through measurement that the continent will be able to analyze the pros and cons of the climate debate before making an informed choice.