Royal Philips, the global leader in lighting, has warned that approximately one fifth of the world’s population is trapped in light poverty because they don’t have access to electricity.
The company pointed out that most of these people resort to using primitive light sources such as kerosene lamps and candles to light their homes and businesses – an occurrence which claims the lives of approximately 1.5 million people every year through respiratory illnesses and fires.
Royal Philips’ warning preceded the launch of UN’s International Year of Light (IYOL) on 19 January, which saw the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) bring together a large consortium of scientific societies and unions, educational institutions, technology platforms, non-profit organisations and private sector partners to discuss and highlight the impact of light on social and economic development.
Light poverty affects huge swathes of Africa, Asia and South America with as few as 1.5% of people in South Sudan provided access to electric light. In many developing countries, electrical grids are unviable due to the geographic and financial constraints of linking hundreds of remote communities.
However, Eric Rondolat, CEO of Philips Lighting, said solar LED technology can provide light at a fraction of the cost of running kerosene lamps, without any of the health, safety or environmental dangers – or the need for major investment in infrastructure.
“Human suffering on this scale is unacceptable in the 21st century. Solar-powered LED lighting can transform rural communities and save millions of lives. What’s more, it does not have to be invented – it already exists and is proven. I call on politicians to stand together and commit to ending light poverty by 2030,” Mr Rondolat said.
“The economic case for taking action is irresistible – light is essential for human prosperity. Lifting 1.3 billion people out of light poverty would not only end this stranglehold on economic, social and cultural development but would also bring a boost to global GDP.”
Mr Rondolat pointed out that a single solar-powered LED lantern uses zero energy and can fill a room with clean, electric light for an approximate one-off cost of US $10-20, compared to the US $50 approximate annual fuel bill of running a kerosene lamp.
He said that on a larger scale, energy efficient LED luminaires and solar panels can be combined to produce sustainable lighting in public places and bring communities to life outside of daylight hours.
According to him, these Community Light Centres (CLCs) allow healthcare services and businesses to operate after sunset as well as encouraging sports and other social activities.
Philips is in the process of installing 100 CLCs across 12 countries in Africa, where some 500 million people do not have access to light.
