Summary. Finding enough to fuel industrialized economies and pull developing countries out of poverty without overheating the climate is a central challenge of the 21st century. By 2050 or so, the world population is expected to reach nine billion, essentially adding two Chinas to the number of people alive today. Those billions will be seeking food, water and other resources on a planet where, scientists say; the "human species" of the living state are already shaping climate and the web of life. We need to examine the efforts to balance human affairs with the planet's limits, our "fixed-point". Climate change, record oil prices and a deteriorating global economy are top issues today. Our heavy reliance on nonrenewable forms of energy is becoming more and more problematic because resources are finite. Furthermore, in addition to producing power, they create polluting emissions-carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and heavy metals-that are negatively impacting the environment and are harmful to human health. A shift towards renewable energy generation is crucial at this point in time, especially with the reality of climate change. In this report are presented research efforts in renewable energy across Africa with examples listed to show that there is power shortage in Africa although the potentials of renewable energy are high. Results are also presented to elucidate that the expected climate scenarios may indeed be "shifting". Some practical ways in which scientists and visitors to Abdus Salam ICTP can flag global warming through energy efficiency are discussed.

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(*) Biodata: Dr. Theo Chidiezie Chineke is the head, Department of Physics & Industrial Physics of Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. He is also a Regular Associate of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (2001-2008). His academic qualifications include a Ph.D. (Physics) in 1993 from University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He is also a reviewer for some peer-reviewed journals.

He has designed, modified and taught courses at undergraduate and post graduate level related to atmospheric physics and renewable energy. He was instrumental in establishing the graduate programme in his field of expertise with a recent addition as a postgraduate diploma in physics with electronics and renewable energy. The postgraduate programme in atmospheric physics has had two PhD candidates and four MSc, since its inception about 6 years ago.

Amongst other distinctions Dr. Chineke has been an ICTP-TRIL fellow at University of Aquila, Italy and a visiting scientist at various international centres of research. He has authored about 50 journal articles in local and international journals, authored, co-authored 8 undergraduate Physics textbooks and has presented many conference papers at home and abroad. His areas of research are atmospheric physics, applications of meteorology and to the environment, thereby contributing to alleviate poverty.

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