Poor People's Energy Outlook Response

Monica here!

We read Chaps 1 and 2 of the Poor People's Energy Outlook 2012. Most developing countries' poor don't have access to adequate energy, and this keeps them in a cycle of poverty. Though trends are improving in most countries, sub-Sahara Africa will actually worsen by 2030 in the amount of people with access to electricity in terms of absolute numbers. In terms of fuel, pretty much all developing countries are going to worsen or stay the same by 2030.  This book hopes to provide solutions to these examples of energy problems.

The book divides energy needs into several categories: household, enterprise, and community. It focuses on enterprise, but warns that increased energy doesn't necessarily lead to increased jobs, and that energy must be considered in terms of its quality, reliability, and affordability as well as adequateness. However, it suggests that if energy is provided to poor people, they can improve their livelihoods by getting a job, becoming better agriculturalists, providing energy, and improve their a small-scale enterprises.

The problem seems serious, with evidence provided that energy is one of the roadblocks to alleviating poverty. However, the authors warn that many other things alongside energy need to be fixed to alleviate poverty, and furthermore that the most benefit in terms of energy should happen on a local scale. Because of these caveats, it's unlikely the problem is going to be fixed by 2030, which is what the books suggest. Nevertheless, progress can be made, and it would seem there is a place for small-scale technological innovations in the US that can be provided to local poor in developing countries.

Monica