Leave the light on for me!

No, I'm not advocating a waste of electricity. In fact, I'm pushing for the direct opposite.

Here in South Africa we have recently been plagued by black-outs as the population uses more electricity than can be produced. Along with that, there is a problem with cable theft - the copper in them being recycled for cash. All of which have got a whole lot of people in a huff.

Another, seemingly unconnected problem is the country drying out. Farms are barren deserts as water shortages reach critical. No rain, no grass for the beasts, no income - many are simply giving up and leaving their farms.

Now, imagine if you will those two problems combined into one simple solution.

I'm talking Solar Power!

Take those empty farms baking in the hot sun, cover them in solar panels, and start powering up the nation!

Add in solar panels on every rooftop of the city, and we may never have another blackout.

Then implement a code of conduct - rules for power use. Require switch-off in all office blocks after-hours, fines for over-use in households, all shops in the land only stocking energy-efficient light bulbs, appliances and computers. Bring down the prices as they flood the market and become the only option. Phase out the use of outdated electrics (and add in a littl wind power on the side). Before you know it, problems solved, and earth saved just a little.

Easy, isn't it? So why is the government not doing it? Why isn't ANYONE doing it?