Supporting Renewable World via Green Hosting sales

Communities who contribute to climate change the least are impacted by its devastating effects first and the most. People in difficult to reach and low-income areas around the world are particularly vulnerable because it is extremely difficult for them to recover after damage caused by severe weather. This is why we support clean energy projects and training via Renewable World.

As supporters of Renewable World we donate at least 1% from our Green Hosting sales every month. This means that we are able to contribute to helping Renewable World and the communities they partner with to establish clean water and renewable energy systems for businesses and homes. Alongside integrated training programmes the aims of this work is to create long-lasting change, not just the energy solutions themselves but more importantly social change and economic growth.

"We are very grateful for the support that you offer us. A monthly contribution is especially valuable, much better for a healthy cash flow!"

Emily Jesshope - Fundraising and Events Manager, Renewable World

Why are these renewable energy projects so important?

The lack of clean power has extensive negative effects, from health problems and safety risks to limited educational and business opportunities which create further poverty. Here are some of the reasons why bringing renewable sources to developing communities is so important.

• Cooking indoors with harmful wood, dung cake and kerosene kills 3.8 million people globally every year.
• Poor, remote villages have very little access to health care. This is because facilities are often difficult to reach and with no electricity they also have little stock, no safe lighting, no refrigeration for medicines and limited equipment and machinery.
• Women and children around the world spend 200 million hours each day walking to collect water. Girls are mostly responsible for this task. Their education suffers and the routes taken can be dangerous, putting them at risk every time.
• In some locations the frequency of trips to collect water has increased. This is because the weather has changed, becoming drier for long periods of time.
• During dry weather months, land in some areas is completely barren, meaning the communities who live there cannot grow any crops.
• Where crops cannot be grown, families are not only unable to sell food but also have to buy food from elsewhere, placing them in further poverty. In some cases individuals must move away from home to find alternative work, splitting up families and disrupting young peoples’ education so that families can make ends meet.
• Reduced earnings from businesses affected by climate change and lack of energy means that families cannot afford to buy the materials needed for their children to attend school.
• Lack of clean water and sanitation in schools means that girls do not attend during their periods. Effectively this is around 20% of the school year, which puts them at a disadvantage of succeeding in their grades and future careers.
• Diesel generators, paraffin and kerosene used to provide light and power to homes and businesses are expensive, polluting and harmful to health. This shortens business hours, reduces earning potential and puts lives at risk.
• At Lake Victoria in Kenya fishing needs to happen at night to catch enough fish to live on. Light sources powered by kerosene are expensive and dangerous.
• With no electricity and therefore no refrigeration, fish caught by Kenyan fisherman at Lake Victoria becomes spoiled quickly in the heat and has to be sold at a lower price. Taking advantage of the need to sell the fish quickly it is common for traders to force women to have sex with them before agreeing to buy the fish. This has also increased the prevalence of HIV in many communities.

Why Renewable World?

We love Renewable World because their work is about partnership and sustainability in so many ways, from reduction of carbon emissions to supporting economic growth and equality. They provide a wide range of training so that communities can make informed choices about the right technology solutions for them and how to build and maintain those systems into the future.

Renewable energy benefits more than the climate. For rural communities, having access to clean power positively affects lives in so many ways. It helps educate children, improves healthcare, opens opportunities for women and girls, boosts local economies and helps reduce the number of deaths from polluting fuel sources and dirty water.

Some of the clean energy projects include:

• Hydrams and other renewable technologies for delivering water to hard to reach places. This frees up time collecting water and allowing crops to be grown on previously barren land in dry months.
• Biogas facilities for indoor cooking, which has a low carbon footprint and provides an affordable, safe alternative to toxic fuels.
• Solar microgrids to distribute renewable energy to entire communities. This provides power to households, small businesses, schools, local health centres and where needed a flood warning system.
• Energy Hubs powered by clean, renewable resources which are cheaper for businesses owners to access, meaning they can power their business premises for longer, earn more money and avoid putting theirs and their customers’ health at risk.
• Water and sanitation in schools, helping girls to stay in continual education.
• Further development of systems to build climate change resilience, food security and improve opportunities for women and girls.
• Working in collaboration with communities so that they are involved in the decision making, planning, installation and maintenance of their renewable energy systems.

To date Renewable World’s programmes have benefitted over 109,000 people. Find out more about their impact.

This is just a whistle stop tour of Renewable World’s projects. You can read much more at renewable-world.org about how their renewable energy projects have brought improved health, safety, resilience and inclusivity to the communities they partner with.

Last reviewed 09/03/2023