Millennial Opportunties: Global Warming; Cause and Effect in the African Skies:Planes and Rain in the sky- blessings in diguise

Global Strategic Enterprises, Inc for Peace and Prosperity- www.globalbelai4u.blogspot.com

Re: Planes and Rain in the African skies- the cause and effect of Global Warming a blessings in disguise.


Modern globalization is aided by advances in technology that include both the burning of fossil fuels like oil, gas, coal to service the great engines that carry goods, services and skilled manpower across continents; as well as by nanotechnology and digital technology that transfer information across continents and around the globe at the speed of light.

Every bit of modern globalization utilizes high level of energy at high speed in a short period of time causing significant changes in climate and the ecosystem. By comparison, the previous epochal changes in climate, such as the Ice Age that ended 11,500 years ago, were set in motion by natural causes- variations in Earth's orbit that affect the amount of sunlight warming the planet.

In these cases, the cycles of cooling and warming unfolded slowly, over the course of millennia.

The current episode at the advent of the 8th Millennium is different. We are observing that climate changing is more rapidly than ever before. The main cause is human activity and globalization is the cause and effect.

Big Jet Engines like the Ethiopian is purchasing at present from the attached article, or the space travel that the Apollos, Discovery and Endeavour burn huge amounts of fossil fuels like oil, gas, etc that flood the atmosphere with heat-trapping carbon dioxide, triggering a one degree Fahrenheit or 0.6 Degree Centigrade spike in average global temperatures in the past century, largely in the past 30 years. (Climate Connections, National Geographic and NPR at npr.org). It is clear space exploration and the resultant high fossil burning engines is more likely to be the cause.

The impact of high fossil fuel burning engines:

Already, the the global impacts include altered precipitation pattern, melting glaciers, intensifying storms, and a rise in the sea level are common events reported on daily news and weather forecasts. The deadly tsunami es in the east, the heat waves and floods in Africa and the ever increasing genesis of destructive hurricanes in the Atlantic are clear scientific evidence. Ask the people of New Orleans- the best witnesses alive.

The scientists are warning that unless the Carbon Dioxide emissions are slashed, may be with nano-technology or some hybrid technology that replaces the fossil fuel consuming engines; the planet will likely heat up even faster, fundamentally changing the world we live in.

China, India and Africa are catching up with this delinquent practice of the west, abusing the fossil fuel and discharging toxic products. The recent news of the advances of the Ethiopian in the African airspace and subsequent reports of floods across Africa cannot be considered just a coincidence. Science and the global digital communication warns us there is a connection. (npr.org/climateconnections and ngm.com/climateconnections.)


From the attached report, it is clear that The Ethiopian Airlines is contributing its major share of polluting the African skies and changing the ecology of the atmosphere that contributes to changes in temperature and rain patterns.

As the Ethiopian Airlines is expanding its fleet and its density in the African skies, the African climate is rapidly changing from prolonged rain to that of excessive rain and unprecedented floods damaging the terrestrial life and ecosystem.

The attached two stories indicate unusual triumph of a local African Airlines and the damages of unusual continental rain and floods. Is this a true reflection of cause and effect in the changing African ecology or a surprising coincidence of changes in the African skies that might be unrelated for now but indicating some potential association in the future.

Here is an excellent opportunity for globalization reported side by side with one of the continents ecological challenges.

Perhaps the African aerospace technology will add on the weather forecasting capacity to alert the continent about impending changes in climate and human activities that might adversely impact the continent at large.

Please read on the success of the Ethiopian and abundant rainfall and resultant destructive floods across the African continent. What next, some new tsunamies and hurricanes or earth quakes to help us wake up. Histroy reveals that we do not change our polluting and ecological terrorizing ways easily. May be the next generation might wake up to the facts than we have. Who knows where the genius and heroes will come from?

The tragic experience of the 2005 Elections in Ethiopia regardless of the ever present dynamics for change holds true even today in this new millennium.

Change towards ecological and economic investment that protects the interestes of all stakeholders continues to be the challenge in these times of crisis.


Dr BHJ of GSE4P&P @ www.globalbelai4u.blogspot.com@ 19 Sep 2007


Managing Chanage towards investment in the ecology and economy

Vision for a Prosperous Ethiopia; An Alternative Agenda for May 2005 Elections

By Belai Habte-Jesus


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Objective: To design an alternative paradigm for a prosperous Ethiopia based on private ownership, transparency, accountability and good governance. To change the election paradigm towards real choice of direction for change.

Approach: Setting the agenda for 2005 elections by focusing on investment, ownership to eradicate poverty via change in policy and electoral system. The elections should be about choice.

Choosing change in direction. The elections should be about choice in direction. The current series of political arrangement be it fronts or coalitions both in government and opposition are leftovers of the Marxist Leninist left who do not have alternative vision from disaggregating the nations resources into ethnic, racial and linguistic differentiations that lead into poverty and dictatorship. The choice is between investment and poverty. This paper advocates for private ownership, rule of law, transparency, accountability and good governance as an alternative to the current scenario of all of the same old Marxism, Terror and Poverty all over again. Change is what is needed and all competition should about offering change.

Expected outcome: Vigorous discussion at intellectual, policy and political campaign towards rejecting poverty for ownership and investment. Challenging the current poverty ridden ideology and policy that does not trust nor respect its own citizens. Take back what are your land, property and citizenship into your hands for prosperity and good governance. Change from poverty, aid and hopelessness towards productivity, business and enterprises that attracts local and foreign investment.

Discussion: The left ideology of distributing poverty has reached its zenith of incompetence and need to be challenged once for all by productivity and competency. The political elites and cadres of the past 30 years have focused on ethnic based geographical localization that reminds one of the Apartheid eras of homelands of genocide and poverty.

Empowerment of the people. The current trend of dictatorship and outright terror of the fabric of our society has crippled the economy as well as the fabric of society towards hopelessness, crime and terror under the guise of liberation fronts of all sorts. All resources continue to be in the hands of few people in authority who do not know how to use the resources themselves nor allow others to utilize it. Instead, they continue to beg for IMF, World Bank and Bilateral donations while impoverishing their own citizens. Once land and resources are returned back to the people and are transacted with clear-cut legal process, the citizens can put them forward as collaterals for investment and development purposes.

Government and Business should be separated. The current conflict of interest where a party owns the whole country and behaves, as the landlord and tenant at the same time, denying citizens from productivity or legal competition will be changed as the good governance will demand transparency and accountability at all levels. The current poverty among plenty due to incompetent leadership will change as even the role of governance will be challenged and competent people will compete for every position in the country.

Conclusion

This paper looks at age-old patriotism, enterprise, productivity based competitiveness under the rule of law as the only option for a vision of prosperous Ethiopia. The notion that the farmer will sell all the land and migrate to the cities is a myth created to blunder the wealth of the nation towards both material and spiritual poverty. Who is really selling Badme and Ethiopian Red Sea Coast, the farmer or misguided communists?

Empowering the youth and our future. The youth who are not educated cannot be productively engaged. The fountain of the future are kept prisoners in their own homes and made criminals by a shortsighted philosophy of poverty. One can only get rid of poverty by productivity and investment. Land ownership and the ability to use it as collateral for business enterprises is the only solution of the current crisis. The May 2005 election should be about choice, poverty or prosperity, ownership or tenancy that leads to economic slavery.

The future should be built on clean science and efficient and realistic vision that is SMART- Specific, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistc and Time Sensitive. The synergy of ecological, economic and cultural diversity is critical in the new millennium


The investment should be towards empowering the ecological and economic landscape of Africa by investing in people, land and infrastructure that do not pollute the land, water and air that sustains our ecosystem.

Belai FM Habte-Jesus, MD, MPH

15 January 2005







Source: Fortune, Ethiopia

September 15, 2007



3. CEO of the Nat’l Titan Leads the Skies in New Millennium

Girma Wake, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, the largest company in the country, is positive on the prospects for continued growth. As a regional leader, Ethiopian will soon acquire the largest airplane ever, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that Girma hopes will aide it in its plans to expand to new destinations. ABIY DEMILEW – SPECIAL TO FORTUNE conversed with the CEO in his office last week on these and other issues related to the Millennium.



Girma Wake

Fortune: How is the new Millennium defined at Ethiopian Airlines?



Girma Wake: It is a special time for us to look back to our achievements in the past, both at our weaknesses and strengths, improve on the areas of challenges so that we will be able to continue for another Millennium and build on whatever advantages we had in the past.


It is also a time for us to evaluate our future strategies and express our gratitude to our supporters everywhere, passengers, cargo agents, travel agents, travelling public, government authorities, private people who have some deals with us, without whom we could not achieve what we have seen so far.


What are Ethiopian’s achievements of the Second Millennium?



In Ethiopian’s 62 years, we should have achieved much more than we have. Nevertheless, we have connected Africa more than anybody else; in bringing African people together, we believe we have laid a meaningful contribution to the realisation of African unity as without the interconnection of the people of Africa, the African unity would remain a dream.



We have contributed in bringing more tourists to Africa from America, Europe, the Far East, Asia and anywhere else, as well as encouraging trade between Africa and the rest of the world.



When we started to fly to Dubai, only a few African states knew where Dubai was. Even the geography was unimaginable for most people. But today, it is the major destination where Africans travel for business.



While China is a known country, only few people have travelled there before we started to fly to the most populous country. By connecting people to the various markets such as India, China, Dubai and Europe, we have built trade relationships between Africa and the rest of the world.



Especially for Ethiopia, we have done a lot to encourage the export of perishable goods; a case in point for is the export of flowers. Without the dedicated service of Ethiopian, what the country achieved in this area would never have been possible.


Where do you see Ethiopian growing?



Growth in Africa is the special area of the future and strategic for us. Whatever we do in the world is actually done in the pack of Africa. If we do not grow on this continent, it would be difficult to expand to the rest of the world. The biggest growth has to come from Africa and then, following market trends, we will expand all over the world.



Now the future is Asia, especially India and China. We are building the traffic base and frequency in the Far East and Europe.



At the same time, there are very few African airlines operating in the United States (US). Now the Africa-America connection is growing stronger after the introduction of AGOA, and the historical connection of African-Americans with Africa.


Which African airliners are your competitors?



Kenyan Airways, South African Airways and Egypt Air are a few of them. We all compete and we also cooperate as we believe Africa is a big market for all of us. As we compete we will grow the total market in Africa.


How far have you grown the in-flight services?



One of the best marks of Ethiopian is the in-flight service. Many customers tell us it is our strongest part mentioning hospitality, type of meal we serve on board and many others.



But I cannot say there are no complaints at all, and we are trying to improve the service and the menu from time to time. We have entered a contract with the German company GSM and remodelled our kitchen as well as introducing injera and wot which we did not have on board for the past many years. We are trying to give our customers the choice and best services.


In your recent report, you have stated that you increased revenue by six per cent last year. What were your expectations towards the Millennium and Diasporas coming?



The Millennium will be celebrated the whole year. And September is not a good month especially for those coming from the United States (US) as the schools have just opened. Families have difficulties in coming back here at this time. But those who could not make it now will come for Christmas and others could also arrive for Easter because most families travel when schools are closed. But still generally, there was a six per cent increase in the America-Ethiopia and seven per cent boost from Europe-Ethiopia traffic.



We have leased three airplanes [two 767s and one 757] this season for the expected increase in volume. While the 767s were delivered earlier, the 757 was arrived only 10 days ago and our flight traffic has picked up.



For example, in July and August we normally operate four flights a week to the States but now we are having six. We use to fly five times a week to London and now we are flying six times a week. So without these airplanes it would have been impossible.



We believe we have facilitated the festivity of the Millennium and we are not discouraged so far as these airplanes are not only leased for the Millennium, they will be in our system for five to seven years.


Is more profit generated from domestic or international travel?



The international market leads but the domestic service is also showing improvement more than we have imagined before.


What are the biggest challenges of Ethiopian both in domestic and international markets?



Our biggest challenge is the ever increasing oil price on the international market as airplanes use too much oil.



The other big challenge is the price of an airplane. Only in the last three years, the lease price of airplanes has doubled.



The third challenge, in which we might have little control, is the brain drain. This is a big challenge as it costs us a lot. In aviation, we need at least seven to 10 years to train somebody to the standards. And if we continue to loose these trained staff, it could be a big disaster. But this is not limited to Ethiopian; as a nation we are loosing a lot of skilled professionals every year. We are not alone in this dilemma as other African carriers are also suffering of the same problem.


What is the reason for this?



It is because of the opportunity available outside of Ethiopia. The salary level compared to the West and Gulf regions is less. Most of our staff is leaving for the US because of the opportunities and salary benefits in the market.



But to stop brain drain, the whole infrastructure has to be improved. People have to live comfortably in their houses, cost of living should be controlled, people should be able to afford the cost of living, the schooling system should be improved, the medical system should also be improved etc. Brain drain is a product of poverty but we should control it in one or another way.



Now we are working on raising salary levels however, but it is difficult to compete.


What is the other side of story?



Though we are suffering on the issue, even the developed and the rich West looks for Ethiopian professionals, which marks a strong point on the quality standard Ethiopian employs in training and the standard that we perform at.



What benefits will the Dreamliner bring?



Ethiopian is the first airline to have the 787 on the African continent. After the first plane arrives in September 2008, we will continue expanding our routes. We are leasing more airplanes for the expansion. And the second one comes in November 2008 while three more 787s are coming in 2009.



We have taken time in training our pilots and technicians for the Dreamliner as it is different from other planes we have, as part of expanding our traffic routes and services. At the same time, we are also building our maintenance facility, buying new equipments and machineries which are coming soon.



Besides the routine work, we are taking the whole year for training our staff and building capacity for the new 787s, which we believe will serve us as a spring board to the points we could not reach now.


Is the relationship Ethiopian has with Airbus and Boeing different?



We are interested in an airplane; it does not matter if it is Boeing or Airbus. But it happens that in all of our negotiations, we have got a better deal from Boeing. And we know Boeing is better as the devil you know is better than the angel you do not know.



We are happy with what we doing with Boeing, if one day Airbus comes and impresses us with something dramatic, then we might consider it as well.



You have recently stated that you are not satisfied with the six per cent growth. Why is that?

The six per cent growth is to Ethiopia. The overall growth is 28pc. What I was saying was that we should do more and we will do more to score the biggest growth.


What is it like to be the CEO of the biggest Ethiopian company?



For me, I came to Ethiopian as a young man direct from college. Working for this Airline is my second nature and I have always been comfortable working here. To be the CEO gives me an opportunity to work in the company I grew in and the staff I grew with. Being the man in charge would give me an opportunity to contribute. I am proud to be the CEO of this airline, as I believe it is a chance to move the airline to the best level together with my colleagues.


How do you see the future of Ethiopia in the new Millennium?



I believe we Ethiopians have to work hard as we are still one of the poorest nations in the world. But Ethiopia is not that poor if we the children work hard. If we could bring our energies together, help and support one another, then we will change the image of Ethiopia.



I believe this is a special time to forget our differences and build on our unity and strength and lift this country out of the dark.


Do you see any hope for this vision?



I do. When I see young people with different creativities, I have this hope. But we should also see and support these talents together.


*****
Source: BBC

Monday, 17 September 2007

2. Million hit by floods in Africa


Some African countries have endured months of flooding



More than a million people across a swathe of 17 African countries are suffering the effects of severe floods.
Latest reports say 250 people have died and hundreds of thousands of homes have been washed away on some of the continent's most fertile land.

The UN now fears the floods could lead to major outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery.

OCHA spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said: "The rains are set to continue and we are really concerned".




West Africa

Ghana has set up an inter-ministerial task force to oversee both immediate relief and long-term reconstruction of the three northern regions devastated by the floods.

Eighteen people have died there and thousands made homeless.

Also badly affected are Burkina Faso (33 dead), Togo (20 dead), Mali (15 dead), and Niger (12 dead).

French military helicopters were helping relief efforts in nearby Ivory Coast, while officials in Togo were dealing with more than 60,000 displaced people and a wrecked infrastructure.

Countries in East Africa regularly flood at this time of year, but West African nations are much less able to deal with the deluge, the World Food Programme says.

East Africa

In East Africa, the brunt of the torrential rain was felt in Uganda, Ethiopia and Sudan.

Hundreds of thousands of people lost their homes across southern Sudan where the death toll has reached 64.

The UN relief co-ordinator in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, John Clarke, told the BBC more than 250,000 had been left homeless there.

The UN diverted a helicopter from Darfur in Sudan to airlift food and medical supplies to affected areas.

Access to some communities is almost impossible

Musa Ecweru
Ugandan minister

Meanwhile, Rwandan officials reported 15 deaths and 500 homes washed away since Wednesday in flooding they blame on deforestation.

In its neighbour Uganda, some 21 deaths are being reported from flooding with 150,000 people displaced and more than 170 schools in the northeast are underwater.

The swampy Budalangi region of Kenya floods most years - but people were still caught out by the speed of the rising waters and at least 12 died.

An estimated 200,000 people have been affected in Ethiopia where at least 17 people died and a massive food aid programme has been set up.

"In Kenya or Ethiopia these countries are facing floods every year and year after year, they have set up some contingency plans," the WFP's Pierre Lucas told the BBC.

AU Declaration on the Ethiopian Millennium
(02/02/2007)

The following Declaration on the Ethiopian Millennium was made by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union at the Summit in January 2007.

AU Declaration on the Ethiopian Millennium

We, the Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the African Union, meeting during the Eighth Ordinary Session of our Assembly held in Addis Ababa, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, from 29th – 30th January 2007;

Taking note of the briefing by the Ethiopian Government on the Ethiopian Millennium to be celebrated on 12 September 2007;

Recognising with appreciation the call of the Ethiopian people to all fellow African brothers and sisters to embrace the Millennium as a truly African occasion and to join them in the celebrations;

Noting with satisfaction the commitment of the Ethiopian people to use this occasion as a unique opportunity to highlight their collective resolve to make a difference in their struggle against poverty, and to broaden the frontiers of democracy and good governance;

Welcoming the cooperation already initiated between the African Union Commission and the Ethiopian Millennium Festival National Council;

Call upon all Member States of the African Union, the Commission of the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities to extend their support towards the successful celebration of this unique African occasion – the Ethiopian Millennium.

ENDS