Bridging Gaps in Energy Access: Intersections Between Basic Service Provision, Public Health, and Climate Action
Event Summary
According to UN figures, nearly 800 million people globally lack access to electricity. Roughly 3 billion people use wood, charcoal, coal, or animal waste for cooking and heating, which carry direct health risks due to indoor air pollution. While the share of renewable energy in electricity consumption increased globally in the late 2010s, the share of renewable energy in heating (24% worldwide) continues to reflect the significant reliance of biomass in the Global South. Panelists will discuss the opportunities, challenges, and tradeoffs of increasing clean energy access in the Global South as they relate to basic energy needs, human health, and climate change consideration.
This event is a part of the PennIUR Forum on Urban Informality Summer eSeminar Series. As part of the Penn IUR Lab on Sustainable Development and Informality, the Forum on Urban Informality convenes early-career experts across different disciplines and institutions to explore the way informality is shaping sustainable urban development.
Deepti Chatti
Assistant Professor, Humboldt State UniversityDeepti’s research analyzes development efforts in the rural Himalayas to expand energy access to low income families in rural India. Deepti’s current work centers the politics of knowledge production in trans-national environmental and development research.
Beryl Ajwang
Research Analyst, Energy Access Program, World Resources InstituteBeryl supports research on energy financing and access in the region, implementation of the Energy for Development (E4D) Program as well as communication and fundraising.
