Energy poverty is a devastating reality for three billion people worldwide, that's just over one third of the global population.

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Energy poverty is defined as the lack of access to sustainable modern energy services and products. 
 

A lack of affordable, reliable, safe and accessible power severely impacts every aspect of life. It limits economic development and prevents any chance of people seeing an improvement in their quality of life.

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Energy is so essential to making sustainable development a reality that the United Nations (UN) ldesignated 2012 as the International Year for Sustainable Energy for All, with a major focus on reducing energy poverty. Goal 7 of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals is to "ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all."

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Meanwhile... In other parts of the world, energy is so commonplace and technology is advancing so fast that it is taken for granted and is starting to show us the dark side of green energy. The meteoric rise in wind and solar energy in the West is already causing a "tsunami" of "unrecyclable" trash that countries are totally unprepared for and unable to manage.

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Areas of Focus:

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CIRCULAR ECONOMY: ZERO WASTE & RECYCLING in the RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR

Solar panels and wind turbines only a few years old, with 90% efficiency and decades of life remaining, are being thrown away and destroyed. 70million lbs each year of solar panels are being retired each year, 90% of which end up in landfills. The wind industry is also producing waste — creating an estimated 47 million tons of blade waste annually by 2050. We are already seeing the begining of a tidal wave of trash that landfills.

 

ADEQUATE SHELTER:  LIGHTING;  HEATING;  COOLING

Without access to electricity, families are forced to rely on burning dangerous and carbon emitting wood, kerosene lamps & candles to light and heat their homes. Many make the financial choice to go without light altogether, making it difficult to study, work or even cook dinner after dark. In freezing climates it is difficult to the keep the family warm whilst in hot, humid climates and during heatwaves where there is no cool breeze, it is impossible to cool a home without power. This is particularly dangerous for infants and elderly residents who are less able to regulate their temperature and are at increased risk of death. Energy For All will work to address this by providing the most vulnerable households with lamps, heaters and fans as well as a clean energy source. 

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HEALTH & ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Indoors smoke caused by buringin fuel for cooking and heating homes leads to poor air quality, respiratory problems and stinging eyes. A source of power would allow families cook without inhaling the damaging smoke of burning wood or kerosene. Power is essential for local health clinics to be able to store medicines and vaccines – without a fridge to store them, villagers must travel miles to get their children vaccinated or to receive their regular medicines, x-rays or other treatments.

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EDUCATION

Without power children don't have the chance to learn how to use a computer or the internet, limiting their education, employment opportunities and chance for a brighter future.

For children and young adults to be able to study effectively and be prepared for employment opportunities, they need good light, even after the sun has gone down, and the use of a computer.

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LIVELIHOODS

Nearly 2.7 billion people – 40% of the world population – lack access to clean cooking facilities worldwide, relying instead on poluting coal, solid biomass, kerosene and wood.  Income opportunities for family members are limited by a lack of power operated tools and equipment such as electric sewing machines, textile looms, agricultural irrigation water pumps and grain mills, all of which would radically increase production and income for those currently doing this very labour intensive work manually.

 

A computer and other power operated machinery and tools can dramatically boost income opportunities for impoverished villagers. Essential if they are to break out of the cycle of poverty they are in. For example, a seamstress could expand their business with an electric sewing machine, whilst a carpenter could use much faster, more efficient power tools in place of manual techniques. Decentralised renewable energy applications can power machines, micro-enterprises such as the local ‘atta chakki’ wheat flour milling and rice hulling, lathes, sewing machines, potter’s wheel, power looms, cold storages, solar dryer/chiller and so many others. A McKinsey Global Institute in a report titled ‘India’s Turning Point’ said last year that 90 million workers are expected to join India’s non-farm jobs by 2030[1].

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ACCESS TO FOOD & WATER

an electric pump would also help villages save time and energy collecting water.

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ENVIRONMENT

Worldwide, the collection of wood as fuel has had a devastating impact on the environment and has resulted in mass land degredation and desertification. This means locals need to walk progressively further to find fuel. It also impacts domesticated and wild animals who are losing their food source and habitat. Deforestation has also led to devastating landslides and a loss in soil nutrients.

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Our Approach:

 

 

Energy For All will work with renewable energy suppliers in the USA and local partners and government departments on the ground to carry out feasibility studies and needs assessment, ensuring our work is aligned with local systems and users needs. Energy For All is committed to taking a collaborative approach to ensure our work is locally led and managed.