UN calls for global revolution to ensure clean energy for all

(January 18, 2011) With 1.6 billion people in developing countries still lacking access to electricity, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a global revolution to address the world’s energy challenges. “Our challenge is transformation. We need a global clean energy revolution, a revolution that makes energy available and affordable for all,” Ban said in his address on Monday to the Fourth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. “This is essential for minimizing climate risks, for reducing poverty and improving global health, for empowering women and meeting the Millennium Development Goals for global economic growth, peace and security, and the health of the planet,” he added. Ban has set the deadline for 2012.
The UN Secretary-General stressed that the decisions taken now will have far-reaching consequences. In 20 years, he noted, energy consumption will rise by 40 per cent, mostly in developing countries, where 1.6 billion people still lack access to electricity, and where 3 billion people rely on traditional biomass fuels for cooking, heating, and other basic household needs.
Last month the UN General Assembly decided to proclaim 2012 as the “International Year for Sustainable Energy for All” with the aim of promoting new and renewable energy technologies, including measures to improve access to such technologies.
In addition to the 3 billion people who still rely on traditional biomass fuels and coal,Ban highlighted the fact that 2 million people, mostly women and children, die every year due to indoor air pollution – nearly double the number of deaths worldwide from malaria.