Giving the Green Light

Giving the Green Light Alleviating Energy Poverty in Rural India with Solar-Powered Technology Eighty-percent of this population is made up of villagers in rural India.

According to the UNDP, 1.6 billion people have absolutely no access to electricity and heavily rely on biomass and fossil fuels for daily activities such as cooking and lighting. As a source of lighting, villagers commonly use kerosene lamps. With a population of 487 million people without electricity, the most in the world, India’s rural communities heavily depend on imported fossil fuels to do b

asic chores such as cooking and cleaning. In India alone, approximately 100 million households use kerosene lamps as their main source of light. Outdated and dangerous, kerosene lamps are highly combustible and emit a poor quality yellow light that strains eyes. They emit carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur oxide, which make them responsible for 244 tons of CO2 released into the atmosphere each year. The fumes released by kerosene lamps are directly linked to lung cancer, eye damage, and premature deaths. Inhaling the emissions of a kerosene lamp is equivalent to smoking 40 ci******es in a single day, which is why two-thirds of lung cancer victims are actually non-smokers. Kerosene lamps account for more deaths each year for children under the age of 5 from lower respiratory infections, cancer, explosions, and fires than AIDS, malaria, and measles combined. It is unsettling to know that every 20 seconds, someone dies from the basic necessity of light. In addition to being deadly, kerosene lamps are very expensive. Even though the government in India subsidizes kerosene, families under the poverty line still spend between 10-40% of their monthly income on kerosene oil. Fueling lamps can cost a household $3 a month in India where 10 cents can buy a decent meal. As part of Giving the Green Light, we’re working towards raising funds to replace kerosene lamps in rural India with solar-powered flashlights. Working with BoGoLight, we’re implementing mini BoGo flashlights starting in Bilidoj, India with the Real Medicine Foundation. By replacing kerosene lamps with solar-powered lights, we are eliminating emissions into the atmosphere, increasing income due to higher productivity at night, and saving lives. Families will also no longer have to waste their income on kerosene oil and will have a higher quality of life thanks to a brighter and cleaner light. We’re giving poor villagers a tool to work their way out of poverty. A brighter light will help children excel in school due to less sick days and longer studying time. No longer needing to replenish oil for light will mean fewer expenses and less time cleaning the lamp. A higher income due to higher-productivity at night will mean more money for nutritious food for children. Cooking will be easier and safer along with all other activities after sunset. Along with improving the quality of life for villagers, we are dramatically cutting CO2 emissions. A variety of problems can either be resolved or reduced because of one little light.

12/08/2012

Ximena Prugue believes that the future of energy consumption relies on educating and enticing the next generation to get involved. Ximena Prugue is a mechani...

11/27/2012
03/09/2012

An inaugural ride called Holi Night will take place Saturday night and raise funds for India.

Check out today's Neighbors section in the Miami Herald!
03/08/2012

Check out today's Neighbors section in the Miami Herald!

We hope you can all make it out! Decorate your bikes with lights, paint, and bright colors!!
02/28/2012

We hope you can all make it out! Decorate your bikes with lights, paint, and bright colors!!

The GTGL Team has a new event coming your way. Here's a hint! Stay tuned for more information.
01/18/2012

The GTGL Team has a new event coming your way. Here's a hint! Stay tuned for more information.

Our girl Ximena featured on Grist!
01/16/2012

Our girl Ximena featured on Grist!

Ximena Prugue didn't know anything about India before she traveled there to hand out $3,000 worth of solar-powered flashlights. All the engineering student knew was that she wanted to make a difference.

10/05/2011

Scrabble tourney at Lester's tonight! Prizes include $25 bar tab to Lester's, tickets to The Rapture, Ladytron, $50 yearly membership to the O Cinema, Burt's Bees products, and sweets!

GTGL Founder will be flown to India Wednesday to blog for TreeHugger and UNEP for World Environment Day!
05/31/2011

GTGL Founder will be flown to India Wednesday to blog for TreeHugger and UNEP for World Environment Day!

With scores of entries received in French, Spanish, Chinese and English, the blogging competition jury had their work cut out for them. Their task was made all the more difficult by the quality of submissions covering this year’s theme of "Forests: Nature at Your Service". However, it is Ximena Prug

We did it! GTGL at the Bhil Academy in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, India. 03/06/11
03/11/2011

We did it! GTGL at the Bhil Academy in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, India. 03/06/11

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