It will take some 100 years before the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions from developing countries equal those of industrialized countries. We have already seen, with natural phenomena such as hurricanes, typhoons and El Nino, the vulnerability of development to climate events. Generations of poverty, and deforestation for fuel and farming have left many areas barren and more vulnerable to the destructive forces of floods and mudslides. Some two billion people still cook with traditional fuels. More than 1.5 billion people do not have electricity.
Precious time is expended in poor communities to gather firewood.
Developing countries in general, and the poor in particular, urgently need modern energy services. As long as poor communities lack access to these services, development will suffer, and poverty will be perpetuated. Yet, we need not always work through conventional approaches that replicate unsustainable energy patterns. In the years since Rio, much has been accomplished in the promotion of new and different approaches to energy. Commercially viable and environmentally sound technologies are becoming increasingly available.