{"id":51,"date":"2009-12-10T15:36:00","date_gmt":"2009-12-10T15:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ec2-54-213-215-163.us-west-2.compute.amazonaws.com\/?p=51"},"modified":"2022-10-25T19:46:32","modified_gmt":"2022-10-25T19:46:32","slug":"hope-for-copenhagen-fighting-energy-povertyhope-for-copenhagen-fighting-energy-poverty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bobfreling.com\/index.php\/2009\/12\/10\/hope-for-copenhagen-fighting-energy-povertyhope-for-copenhagen-fighting-energy-poverty\/","title":{"rendered":"Hope for Copenhagen: Fighting Energy Poverty"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the central issues<\/a><\/strong> that will be discussed at Copenhagen<\/strong> is the obligation of rich nations to help poor nations<\/strong> by committing “to far deeper emissions cuts than they already have, and to provide them with cash and technology so they can prepare for the worst and develop a clean energy infrastructure for themselves.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In spite of all the uncertainty surrounding COP15, I’m going to Copenhagen as an optimist. I agree with Bill McKibben’s point<\/a><\/strong> that we need a dramatic breakthrough in Copenhagen, and I believe there are signs<\/a><\/strong> that President Obama’s behind-the-scenes negotiations just may pay off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For nearly 20 years, the mission of our Solar Electric Light Fund<\/a><\/strong> (SELF) has been to provide solar power and communications to a quarter of the world\u2019s population living in energy poverty.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SELF believes that energy is a human right.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To meet global challenges such as food and water scarcity, climate change and poverty, SELF is working to assign greater priority to the importance of sustainable energy among international development banks, aid agencies, foundations, and philanthropic individuals, who are committed to improving the health, education, and economic prospects of the world’s poorest citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We define energy poverty as a lack of access to clean and efficient energy systems. Energy poverty exacts its toll on the health, education, food, and livelihoods of the world’s poorest people. Energy is a foundation, a prime condition, a prerequisite to a healthy living and a competitive economy, without which:<\/p>\n\n\n\n