Life Without Lights is a project focused on decreasing energy poverty. This is accomplished by spending time with off-the-grid communities to discover their energy needs, documenting ways these communities could prosper with on demand energy and raising public awareness internationally so we can help increase the quality of life for energy impoverished people around the world.
Children read the Koran by flashlight at a mosque in Wantugu, Northern Region, Ghana on May 13th, 2007. Wantugu had power lines installed in 2000, but government officials failed to connect them to a power source.
REACH recently donated to the Life Without Lights Project and we helped them exceed their fundraising goals of $13,500 while becoming an official sponsor of the project. The Life Without Lights Project, created by Peter DiCampo, is dedicated to reducing energy poverty around the world. Peter will be exhibiting his work this year at the UN where he will engage in discussions on how to reduce world wide energy poverty. What is energy poverty? Well… I spoke to Peter and I think he can do a better job explaining energy poverty and his mission to illuminate the truth.
And now, without further adieu, a note from Peter DiCampo, creator of the Life Without Lights Project:
“1.4 billion people – nearly a quarter of humanity – live without access to electricity (according to the International Energy Agency’s 2010 findings). And it is difficult to fully grasp the social and economic impact of so-called “energy poverty.”
“For me, the new year is a time for new beginnings and renewed enthusiasm for life, family, friends, and my work. The arrival of 2012 has a significant importance – it is the UN International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, and this year I’m hoping to bring increased attention to global Energy Poverty, an issue I’ve been photographing for the past couple years in a project called Life Without Lights.”
“I began this project while living as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural northern Ghana, where I realized how deeply the lack of electricity affected the lives of my neighbors: It impeded their progress in the sectors of health, education, gender equality, agriculture, and virtually every aspect of development. Put simply, Energy Poverty keeps people poor, and it’s an issue that still affects 1.4 billion people.”
“Since then, I’ve photographed people living in a state of Energy Poverty on top of the vast oil reserves of Kurdistan, and just outside of Albuquerque, the largest city in the US state of New Mexico.”
“The next two chapters are perhaps the most important to date: on the drastically rising costs of household energy bills in the UK, and the dire effects of Energy Poverty on women’s health in Uganda.”
“My goal is not only to publish these stories and create a wider awareness of this issue – I have also been given the rare opportunity to participate in the discussion on solutions to Energy Poverty. The UN has invited me to exhibit this work at key events throughout the year – it’s a chance to address audiences of policymakers and world leaders, sharing stories from the people I have photographed.”
“Within the international debate, the most vital voice – the voice of the afflicted – is often missing. I’m thankful to REACH for their contribution to this project, allowing me to continue collecting stories and voices of Energy Poverty from around the world and contribute them directly to the dialogue on sustainable solutions and energy’s future.”
“I’m impressed by the scope of what REACH is doing – not only are they looking to subsidize / donate LED lights in their community, they are also engaged in the conversations on energy’s future, conservation, and technology through a number of interesting events. And I’m thankful that they contribute to a number of creative projects that explore the impact of lighting, electricity, and energy in the modern world.”
“I’m looking forward to a partnership with REACH as I continue my Life Without Lights project. As I travel, I’ll be on the lookout for areas where I think LED lights could help (of course there are many!), and I’ll be reporting back to REACH to see where we can fill in some gaps and help people gain access to low-cost, efficient lighting.”
“Wishing everyone a wonderful and well-lit 2012! Peter.”
A big thanks to Peter for taking the time to talk with us about Life Without Lights. We look forward to supporting his cause and working together in the future and wish him the best of luck discussing energy poverty at events related to the UN International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.
Video:
View this video of Peter DiCampo talking about the Life Without Lights project and how he plans to help combat energy poverty.
