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Five ways to save the planet
You may not be able to reduce global warming, end pollution and save endangered species single-handed, but by choosing to live an earth-friendly lifestyle you can do a lot every day to help achieve those goals.
And by making wise choices about how you live, and the amount of energy and natural resources you consume, you send a clear message to businesses, politicians and government agencies that value you as a customer, constituent and citizen.
Here are five simple things you can do-in 30 minutes or less-to help protect the environment and save Planet Earth. Read what Larry West suggests.
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2011 2nd Quarter Project Updates
Costa Rica
In June, we supplied 40 solar PV systems to our project partner, ACEM, for installation in homes throughout the Talamanca region of Costa Rica. We continued to focus on skill development of ACEM's technicians by training seven technicians that are actively working on this project. This project work was combined with a project visit by ten employees from Enbridge. Check out the Project Profile piece for more information.
EcuadorIn April, with our project partner, Fundacion Natura, we completed solar PV home installations in the remote Amazonian village of Kutukus. In all, 15 systems were installed in homes, benefiting approximately 120 people. 18 villagers in the community took part in training facilitated by the lead local solar technician. PeruIn April, LUTW staff and our project partner, Kuyacc Ayni, completed solar PV home installations in the high plains community of Pallccapampa. 140 people in the village are benefiting from the 35 solar PV systems were installed in homes in the community. Rod Macintosh, our Renewable Energy Technician trained six community members on how to install, maintain and sustain the solar PV home systems. Papua New GuineaOver the last quarter, our partner ATprojects continued to coordinate the installation of solar PV in rural health centres throughout Papua New Guinea. More than 600,000 people have access to health care facilities with lighting systems as a result of this project. Donate today to help us continue to improve health care services in Papua New Guinea in memory of Captain Nichola Goddard. In the last quarter, we continued development on renewable energy projects in Peru, Costa Rica and Guatemala. We also supplied solar lighting equipment at a low cost to be used by six organizations for non-profit renewable energy programs in the following countries: - Nigeria - Cameroon - Kenya - Rwanda We believe that by sharing our project experience we can help others learn how to deliver high quality renewable energy projects that have the greatest possible impact on the beneficiary community. Over the past three months, we provided project guidance to nine organizations in eight countries to help them develop their own plans for renewable energy projects. One such project was a solar home lighting initiative in the state of Queretaro, Mexico. In June, the state government initiated a project, which provided 182 families with solar PV systems. Education Program UpdateDavid Taylor from the Radclyffe school in the UK, and a member of the Design and Technology Association, is using Light up the World and its work as a topic for students projects. David has developed some very creative instructional materials which he has kindly offered to make available to other educational institutes; if you are interested please contact us. The Design and Technology (D&T) association in the UK feel that D&T is being pushed aside and to counter this they have launched a manifesto pushing the benefits into the public eye. You can read the Manifesto here.
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Developing Countries Spending The Most On Renewables
2010 may have been the year when developing countries pulled away from the developed world's fossil-fuel past, toward a future powered by clean renewables. And despite the fact that much of that investment was state-subsidized, we are still at a turning point when renewables such as solar, geothermal and wind (those old whipping posts for critics arguing they won't compete with subsidized oil and coal) began to stand on their own two feet, especially in the parts of the world where they are often the only source of power available. Read more here. |
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Greetings!
Summer has finally arrived and we end our busy and productive second quarter of 2011 having completed solar system installations in Peru, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Ecuador and Costa Rica. We are now in the active planning stages for more installations in Peru and Papua New Guinea for the third quarter. In May, our Chairman Michael Fark completed an assessment of the PNG project and came away very pleased with the progress that has been made. We are now also an officially registered NGO in Peru and our project activity there is ever-expanding.  On June 24th we hosted a successful Annual General Meeting at the University of Calgary. After the AGM, a joint reception with the Electrical Engineering Department and ISEEE (Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy) was held for Dr. Dave Irvine-Halliday as he was retiring from the University. We want to extend a huge thank you to the University, all the attendees for their support and most especially to Dr. Dave for his vision, his passion and his continued efforts in bringing light to the world. This year we bid farewell to three long-standing board members, Jeff Arsenych (12 years), James Ireland (9 years), and Colin Isaacs (8 years): their dedication and support will be missed. We have however the good fortune to announce the arrival of two new board members: Tim Schulhauser (President Skyfire Energy) and Terry McInturff, (Professor and Director of Academics - Center for Energy Commerce, Texas Tech University), both who bring a wealth of renewable energy experience and passion to the board. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the continuing board members for their ongoing service. We continue to engage in raising public awareness through seminars and educational lectur es,working to promote understanding of the important role access to light and energy has in the improvement of human welfare. If you or your organisation are interested in a seminar or educational lecture please contact us. Have a fabulous summer, stay well and enjoy the newsletter.
Warm regards,
Linda Tyler
Communications & Finance |
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Project Profile: Enbridge Employee Engagement
Our Employee Engagement Program provides Canadian companies the unique opportunity to engage employees of all backgrounds by taking part in an innovative solar lighting project. Through this program, company employees contribute directly to poverty alleviation while learning new skills and problem solving as a team. The program is coordinated by LUTW staff in Calgary and our field office in Peru. In June of this year, LUTW travelled to the Talamanca district of Costa Rica with employees from Enbridge. Talamanca is the poorest district in all of Costa Rica. The district is rich in biodiversity, however, natural barriers have made it challenging to increase access to services such as health and education. Approximately 70% of the population in Talamanca do not have access to electricity  . Agriculture is the lifeblood of Talamanca with bananas, cacao, and plantains being the most prominent crops. Enbridge staff were given the opportunity to participate in project activities and learn about the impact of the solar lighting project on the lives of rural families. We conducted a workshop on solar photovoltaic (PV) technology for ACEM technicians and Enbridge staff. Employees were then given the opportunity to install solar PV systems in homes alongside ACEM's technicians. Teams installed twelve home systems in various villages of Talamanca. ACEM's techs will install an additional 28 systems provided as part of the project in July and August. Overall, ACEM has installed 481 solar home and portable lighting systems to families in Talamanca, improving education opportunities for children, saving households money and laying the foundations for a renewable energy industry to take shape. |
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Featured Beneficiary: Bernabeth & Family
 This past June, Bernabeth and her family had a second solar PV system installed in their home. Having received a solar system back in 2009, her family had diligently made payments on a monthly basis to our project partner ACEM, until the entire system cost of $200 was paid off in full. Bernabeth decided to invest in a second system to give her more light hours in more rooms in her home. Her children now have light in their own roo  ms and can read and study later in the evening. Bernabeth told LUTW staff that she the first system saved her family money, but with the second system installed, she is investing those savings in her children being able to make the most of their education. |
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Regional Office Update
Whether in the field or in the office, we have been busy ramping up activities and planning for Peru. We multi-tasked the Light Up Pallccapampa project with the three month follow-up visit to Chayansa where everything is working very well. Community members have reported that they no longer purchase batteries and are able to do more activities in the evenings and mornings with the availability of light. Viva Chayansa!
With an excitingly close run-off election result, Peru's business, extraction and investment community is cautious but the rural, largely neglected regions of Peru may see more redistribution of wealth and a greater voice with Mr. Ollanta Humala. As with any election promises , only time will tell. Stakeholders are still active discussing climate change, biotechnology, environmental issues and social development in conferences, seminars and between governments. Recent protests against mining concessions and environmentally sensitive infrastructure projects have made international headlines and add a more volatile element to energy issues in the region. On the flipside, progress is being made in renewable energy projects in the south of the country where the first solar power plant is in development and will have the potential to generate 20MW.
We're still busy building relationships, writing proposals and making plans for confirmed and potential projects for the rest of the year. Nine months have passed incredibly quickly to say the least. |
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Partner Profile: Kuyacc Ayni
 Kuyacc Ayni is a Peruvian non- governmental organization established in 2008 that develops strategies for sustainable development in the Apurimac region of Peru. By working in cooperation with local authorities, international donors and partners, Kuyacc Ayni seeks to improve the welfare of disadvantaged rural communities through a participatory process of development in the following sectors: environment; agriculture; education and; health. Sustainable and innovative proposals are generated that respect social structures, culture and the environment. Kuyacc Ayni has become a reputable development connection for many communities in Apurimac. LUTW has worked with Kuyacc Ayni to install renewable energy systems in two Andean communities since 2010 and their invaluable guidance and work ethic has been instrumental in the success of our work in Peru. |
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Upcoming Events
Marda Gras Street Festival
SUNDAY, AUGUST 7TH - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Celebrating it's 27th year in Marda Loop, this New Orleans-style street fest attracts more than 35,000 visitors for great reasons. Boasting two entertainment stages, jazz, rythm and blues, 200 vendor tables, a Kids' Quarter, ECO Alley, Fashion Fairway, Get Fit in the Loop, Dog Contest, and plenty of food, beverages and outdoor patios galore - Marda Gras is like Bourbon Street in Calgary - for kids of all ages! Join us in the Calgary neighbourhood of Marda Loop on 33rd and 34th Avenues between 19th and 22nd Streets S.W. - we will be in ECO Alley. Haultain and First Street Festival SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th - 11:00 am - 5:30 pm Join us and many more for the 3rd annual Haultain and First Street Festival, a community-based event held in the heart of Victoria Park along vibrant First Street SW and in Haultain Park - Calgary's newest urban park and playground. This is a FREE all-day event featuring local foods, live performances, exhibitors, vendors and a host of interesting ideas around sustainability and innovative urban living. We are in front of the park and our office will be open from 11:00 - 4:00 so drop in and see what we have been up to. WORLD IN FLUX LECTURE SERIES Renewable Energy: The Challenge of Sustainability WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th - 6:30 - 8:00 pm Christoph Schulz, LUTW's Program Director will be talking about utilising LED technology and renewable energy as a catalyst for community development. Join us at the Memorial Park Library for this intellectual series of discussions on Human and Economic Development around the world. In partnership with Calgary Association of Lifelong Learners (CALL).
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Did you know that because of the financial support from donors like you, families in the high plains village of Chayansa in Apurimac, Peru have access to electric light in their homes for the first time. From the impact assessment visit we conducted in April, all the homes that received solar home systems that we visited were no longer spending any money on batteries or candles for light. Families told us that because of this they are now able to spend more money on other household priorities, such as buying more food for their families.
LUTW and our partners are unable to support families in rural communities without your support. On behalf of our partners and the communities with whom we work, thank you!
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Sincerely,
The LUTW Team
Light Up the World
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