A Killing Kindness

The goal is laudable, to achieve energy
sufficiency with clean, inexpensive
sources so emerging economies we once
called Third World, can enjoy all the
benefits of advanced societies in this
the 21st Century. Lest we forget the
purpose not only to advantage their way
of life but to ensure a smaller energy
footprint on a planet groaning under
civilization's demands and an atmosphere
clearly threatening doom should we fail.
Africa's energy now sourced by solar
panels and solar lamps, cars, computers
and printers for all! Ah, and spent 
lead-acid and lithium batteries to be
dealt with; the classic issue of e-waste
where impoverished people recycle
but not quite as advised, smashing lead
batteries to drain the acid into rivers
and the ground, unleashing the spectre
of deadly contamination in rivers and
groundwater, irrigating fields, bathing
and washing clothing, drinking the water
compounded by a shortage of cancer
specialists on this very dark continent.