Getting renewable energy to the world's poorTwo billion people one in three of us on the planet live without the basic energy services such as electricity that the rest of us take for granted. Every day they have to meet their essential needs with expensive, dirty and unreliable energy sources such as kerosene lamps, candles and fuel wood. These damage people's health, reinforce the cycle of poverty and contribute to environmental destruction. This can and must change.
Breaking out of this vicious circle by expanding the use of fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal would be a profound mistake. Not least, burning even more fossil fuels will exacerbate global warming to which the world's poorest people are the most vulnerable. It would also compound the cycle of poverty for many nations. It is in the interests of rich industrial countries to lead the way by taking big and rapid steps to reduce their own emissions of greenhouse gases, whether or not others follow. As the biggest polluters, it is also their duty to humanity and the living world.
At the same time, renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind and small hydropower have the potential to meet the needs of the world's poorest people at an affordable price. Clean, affordable and friendly to the local environment, these technologies are better suited than those dependent on fossil fuels to meet the needs of people living in remote areas of poorer countries. Power to improve people's quality of life does not have to come at the cost of climate change.
