NEWSLETTER #51 - SOCIETY OF AFRICAN EARTH SCIENTISTS

 

Volume 13, Issue 2,  April - June 2024

 

CONTENT

Chair's Foreword

Twelve Years a Learned Society: A Review of the Society of African Earth Scientists Impact on Science Information and Knowledge in Africa 2012-2024

Earth Science Events

References and selected reading

 

Chair's Foreword*

In April this year, we celebrated twelve years in existence. If we wish to symbolically connect this number to anything mathematically significant, it is apt to note the correspondence with the Ishango Bone's alleged number base of 12 (in past studies)! The bone is, after all, the subject of Society of African Earth Scientists (SAES)'s most prominent of several publications on the pan african digital archive (AfricArxiv). 

   In the twelve years since its launch on 26th April 2012, the Society of African Earth Scientists has impacted on science knowledge and information in Africa, not least, through its newsletter format and platform. In the current issue we review this impact on African scientific advancement in more detail as a spur for our continued work. The Society strives to make continued positive impact in line with its aims: to foster the sharing of knowledge, skills and experience that support African development. 

   Specifically, the work of SAES in the past 12 years has seen the society deliver workshops - online and in-person in various countries; advance scientific knowledge through its published contributions to the pan-African digital archive; launch an innovative Youth Science Program; support the proactive African response to climate change through its focus on renewable energy (particularly solar) and also promote sustainable development.

Twelve Years a  Learned Society: A Review of the Society of African Earth Scientists Impact on Science Information and Knowledge  in Africa 2012 - 2024

The  Society of African Earth Scientists in its first twelve years in existence made an impact on African scientific information and knowledge advancement through its publications, workshops, climate and sustainability conference, and other activities.

   In its remit, The Society has recognized Africa's basic needs for clean water and sanitation, sustainable energy (particularly renewable energy), sustainable  agriculture and food production as well as land and soil conservation and climate events  monitoring and reporting. This has over the years been translated into periodic newsletters, training workshops and seminars covering these areas.

Research and Publications: Contributions to Advancing Scientific Knowledge  and Understanding in Africa 

The Society has published over fifty newsletters. As well as this, the research and publication of four papers contributed by Society of African Earth Scientists to the pan African digital archive, AfricArxiv, and in particular, the research and publication of its paper on the Ishango Bone [1], is a rewarding achievement for the Society that will hopefully spur it on to more research. The paper proves that the Ishango Bone, an ancient artifact discovered in Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa,  is not just a tool, but is probably a mathematical sieve for revealing the small prime numbers.  If this is definitely the case, then central Africans discovered prime numbers 19,700 years before the Greek sieve of Eratosthenes. This is a remarkable discovery that elevates the status of Africa's contribution to world knowledge and history, and brings young Africans a sense of self pride that will encourage more towards the pursuit of mathematics as a subject of interest.

   Another of SAES's significant publications is its paper on land grabbing ("Earth Water and Justice" [2]) urging African governments to take note of the environmental and social impacts of land grabbing; and the obligations to current and future generations.

   SAES has contributed four research papers to AfricArxiv, a new pan-African digital archive that aims to make new African research more accessible to a global audience. By means of this contribution the Society has assisted in elevating the status and respect for African science research on the world stage as well as encouraging further African science research and development.

Promotion of Renewable Energy in Africa and Beyond through Workshops in Solar Photovoltaics 

The Society has delivered solar energy workshops in Nigeria, Ghana and London, UK aimed at equipping participants with the skills to establish their own stand-alone solar electric systems. 

   In the workshop events cited, the aim was to ignite a dynamic in which more and more Africans would become aware of the feasibility to exploit solar as a source of power in their households, and gain skills that might lead them to employment or business opportunities. In the future vision, the hope would be to deliver many renewable energy workshops in many African states; this might foster interstate collaboration on the subject area.

Establishing an Innovative Youth Science Programme: Patrice Lumumba African Youth Science Project 

The Society launched an innovative Youth Science project (Patrice Lumumba African Youth Science Project) by delivering an online training workshop in solar energy. The online format will enable communities in  every region of Africa to access the training. This is particularly advantageous for remote communities who cannot access in-person attendance to training workshops.

   The programme will also serve to promote knowledge and skills in renewable energy among young Africans, equipping them with the skills to further their employment and job creation opportunities.

Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Africa - The role of Geoparks

In May 2022 SAES held an online international meeting on Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Africa, with Dr Enas Ahmed outlining the opportunities in employing geoparks  to promote sustainable tourism, conservation and education. 

  This event demonstrated that SAES advocates for innovative approaches to African problems by highlighting the opportunities in geoparks, despite some reservations, because these will harness the continent's unique heritage of cultural and natural resources towards sustainable development. The Society's efforts in taking innovative approcahes to the changing African climate and environment are vital in the continent's need of voices to address the climate challenge. We note in passing that by taking these approaches, the Society is also contributing to the wider  aim of achieving the UN SDGs (United Nations Strategic Development Goals) for Africa.

Establishing a Potential Future Science Hub in Owerri Town, Nigeria

Last and not least, the Society has established its head office address on Tetlow Road in Owerri Town, which is now listed as a scientific institution in Nigeria. 

   This is a significant move which affords the Society the opportunity to establish a scientific hub and physical space where scientists can meet, connect and collaborate. It also creates a model for other parts of Africa to emulate in proliferating science institutions on the continent.

Earth Science Events

April  25-27, 2024

International Conference  on Geotechnical Engineering

VISION:  https://www.icge24.com

VENUE: Hammamet, Tunisia

May 15-18, 2024

6th Euro-Mediterranean Conference  for Environmental Integration

VISION:  https://waset.org/geophysics-and-dynamic-tectonics-conference-in-may-2024-in-algiers

VENUE: Marrakesh, Morocco

October  6-9, 2024

XVIII African Regional Conference  on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

VISION:  https://algeos-dz.com/18ARC.html

VENUE: Hammamet, Tunisia

References and selected reading

[1] Kamalu, C., The Ishango Bone: The World's First Mathematical Sieve and Table of the Small Prime Numbers, AfricArxiv, 21 February 2021. Society of African Earth Scientists.

[2] Kamalu, Chukwunyere. EARTH, WATER & JUSTICE: A Note by the Society of African Earth Scientists on the Environmental Effects of Land Grabbing, AfricArXiv, 3 May, 2023. doi:10.31730/osf.io/u5t23. Society of African Earth Scientists.

*Board of the Society of African Earth Scientists: Dr Enas Ahmed (Egypt), Osmin Callis (Secretary - Guyana/Nigeria), Mathada Humphrey (South Africa), Ndivhuwo Cecilia Mukosi (South Africa), Damola Nadi (Nigeria), Dr Chukwunyere Kamalu (Chair - Nigeria).