Healthy lives rely on the presence of energy and clean drinking water. However, more than 12 million Filipinos must live their lives without electricity, and 8 million lack access to clean water. Given that the geography of the Philippines is made up of 1,047 mountains, it is difficult and costly to implement grid-connected electricity—thus, causing the majority of Filipinos to live without access to energy. Fortunately, through Green Empowerment’s (GE) partnerships with a variety of non-governmental organizations, such as SIBAT, YAMOG, and AIDFI, they have been able to provide tools and support that are necessary for the health of Filipinos in dozens of villages. One such effort is GE’s implementation of a solar pump powered water system. Through the use of such technology, GE was able to overcome energy restrictions, as well as improve access to clean water.
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Malaysian Borneo |
Extractive industries, such as deforestation, mining, and mega-dam projects, are continual threats that challenge the people of Malaysian Borneo. Such industries disrupt the lives of indigenous people and impede on customary (cultural? traditional?) institutions, as well as existing conservation efforts. The people of Malaysian Borneo possess important knowledge that enables them to live in a sustainable manner—within the bounds of the vast forests that surround them. As such, it is crucial that efforts are made to preserve their way of life, as well as the environment that they inhabit.Fortunately, with the relationship between Green Empowerment (GE) and Tonibung—a local partner since 2001—successful efforts have been made to preserve the cultural and natural heritage of the indigenous people of Malaysian Borneo. GE’s support of the Center for Renewable Energy and Appropriate Technology (CREATE) has enabled the implementation of community-based micro-hydropower systems. Such systems allow for consistent access to energy, which is essential to some of the activities, such as milling, that foster the economy of Malaysian Borneo. Furthermore, CREATE serves as a training facility for individuals who are interested in serving as community technicians—allowing for the continual operation of Malaysian Borneo’s successful sustainability efforts.
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