Alleviating Light Poverty One Solar Light at a Time
TACOMA, Washington Today, 1.3 billion people still live without electric light. Light poverty is defined as one’s limited access to artificial light. Those in light poverty seek non-electric lighting methods, including kerosene, candles and flashlights with disposable batteries. These alternatives present alarming drawbacks apart from inconvenience. The open flame and soot from kerosene lamps cause 1.5 million deaths annually. Light poverty is an imperative issue in need of global action.
Let There Be Light International and Unite to Light are two organizations using an innovative approach to alleviate global poverty. These two companies bring solar lights to underserved communities to combat light poverty. The Borgen Project spoke with Sara Baird, Executive Director of Let There Be Light International, and Megan Birney, President and CEO of Unite to Light.