Image by EURegional via Flickr Social Availability of energy has a direct impact on poverty, employment opportunities, education, demographic transition, indoor pollution and health, and has gender- and age-related implications. In rich countries, energy for lighting, heating and cooking is available at the flip of a switch. The energy is clean, safe, reliable and affordable. In poor countries, up to six hours a day is required to collect wood and dung for cooking and heating, and this task is usually done by women, who could be otherwise engaged in more productive activities. Economic Modern economies depend on a reliable and adequate energy supply, and developing countries need to secure this as a prerequisite for industrialization. All sectors of the economy — residential, commercial, transport, service and agriculture — demand modern energy services. These services in turn foster economic and social development at the local level by raising productivity and enabling l...
Powering Sustainable Future