Who speaks for the Energy Poor?

OPINION

The Climate Change movement has for some time been on a collision course with the developing world’s hunger for energy for economic development.

But because the carbon footprint of poor countries is a fraction of those of industrialized nations, productive energy solutions for the energy poor has never been on top of the Climate Change movement’s agenda.

Dear Mr. and Ms. Energy Poor, we’d like you to meet your savior

And guess who is coming to defend the energy needs of the poor? The very same industry facing staunch opposition by industrialized countries seeking to move away from fossil fuels to low-carbon economies: the Climate Change Deniers.

Science reporter and commentator Andy Revkin has been tracking a campaign sponsored by a group fighting restrictions on greenhouses gases. The group is called the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT) and its slogan is “stop energy poverty now.” You can read his posts about the obfuscation and contradictions of CFACT on DotEarth, Revkin’s blog on the New York Times site.

Thanks, but No Thanks

There’s no question developing countries need access to “productive” energy to grow their economies. Yet, most, if not all, developing countries realize that developing their economies using fossil-fuels is ultimately a zero-sum game, which is why they have pinned their hopes on the revenue they might receive from protecting their forests (REDD plus) and the $100 billion fast-start funding promised in Copenhagen and approved in Cancun. Another reason why developing countries aren’t too keen on fossil fuels is because science and current events tell us poor countries around the tropical belt are set to bear the brunt of Climate Change impact as global temperatures warm.

It is easy to picture Climate Change Deniers coming to the defense of developing countries and their need for energy. But the ulterior motives of groups waving “stop energy poverty now” slogans demand scrutiny.

They should also be a clear shot across the bow for industrialized nations to make good on their commitment to support access to funding and technologies that promote sustainable renewable energy for the world’s energy poor.

The Editors

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