Grammy-winning band Linkin Park have stepped up their support of the United Nations’ 2012 Year of Sustainable Energy by launching a new campaign designed to bring a solar light to Haiti this holiday season.
The band is asking supporters to donate $10 at PowerTheWorld.org to give a renewable, clean solar light bulb to families who otherwise live in darkness in the earthquake-ravaged country.
“We chose Haiti for this project because the country faces severe energy poverty,” says Linkin Park lead vocalist Mike Shinoda. “There are 34 million people in the Western Hemisphere who have no access to modern energy; 8 million of them are in Haiti. By helping Haiti we can make a huge impact, so it’s a great place to start.”
The solar light bulbs are made by Denver-based Nokero International, and have been specially modified and dubbed “Eneji Pwop” for use in Haiti by EarthSpark International.
Earthspark is a United Nations Program (UNEP) partner which builds supply chains and business practices to support small-scale clean energy entrepreneurs in Haiti. Low-cost, efficient and renewable energy technologies such as the solar light bulb save money for Haitians over time and reduce health and environmental risks associated with fire and kerosene.
Supporters can click here to learn more and make a donation.
Linkin Park is asking supporters to give the gift of light this holiday to let friends and family know that there are clean energy solutions to some of the world’s environmental, health, and energy problems. More than 1.3 billion people live without access to electricity. Without light at night, many families turn to burning expensive kerosene or candles, leading to millions of deaths each year through fire or pulmonary disease.
The band hopes that having its fans share the message will encourage action from the governments, large companies and non-governmental organizations that can make an enormous impact in solving this problem.
Power the World is a pledge to help 1 million families gain access to sustainable energy solutions. Last month, Linkin Park pledged their support of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s Sustainable Energy For All initiative. To that end, the band and their non-profit organization Music for Relief have partnered with UN Foundation and EarthSpark International to bring clean energy solutions to families without energy access beginning in Haiti through Enèji Pwòp (Clean Energy in Haitian Creole).
Watch a video of the band talking about the initiative here.
