Sustainable energy for a good life: Misereor

When viewed from space, Europe seems to burn brightly, while Africa smoulders like a cigarette under the ashes. Energy poverty reduces life to the bare essentials: there is light during the day and warmth when the sun shines. Reading is a luxury and collecting wood to make a fire is daily hard labour that takes hours to complete.

Energy consumption has a global impact. Because 80 per cent of it is based on fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil, it is changing the climate. And climate change has no conscience, it does not turn against those who cause it. Quite the contrary, it affects first and foremost the poor. The rise in temperature already has multiple effects in the Global South, such as more frequent droughts, more violent cyclones and, subsequently, crop losses and destruction.

Climate killer: old lignite-fired power stations

Huge dam in Brazil

The view from space reveals the unequal distribution of access to energy.

Madeleine Alisa Wörner

Policy and Global Challenges / Energy

Telephone: +49 241 442577
E-mail: madeleine.woerner@misereor.de

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We are committed to ensuring access to sustainable energy sources for all people. Unfortunately, “renewable” doesn't always mean “socially just”. Large-scale projects such as dams, in particular, rarely benefit the local population. Instead, they entail violence and force people to leave their homes. That's why our projects support people affected by large-scale projects to fight for their human rights.
In addition, we advocate for political dialogue to further sustainable forms of energy and action on energy saving.

Our projects provide poor people with sustainable and clean energy and help them to use it efficiently. They are by no means limited to electricity:

Small waterworks do not only bring light to remote villages, but also power grain mills or small machines.
Solar panels provide electricity for schools, offices and hospitals.
Thanks to portable solar lamps, children can study at night.
Efficient wood-burning stoves save firewood and leave more time for other things.
In settlements with light, burglary and robbery cases decrease and community life flourishes.

"Electric light, refrigerated food, internet access - many things that we take for granted in Europe are out of reach for many Africans. They have no safe and affordable access to electricity."

Gerd Müller
Former German Development Minister

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Sustainable energy for a good life

The temperature is rising, as is poverty

Madeleine Alisa Wörner

Renewable - decentralised - just

Projects with power for more

Projects related to energy

Congo: Clean energy for hospitals

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Publications related to energy

Global Europe, Global Responsibility

Making the production and export of green hydrogen sustainable and fair

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Strengthen Europe as a location for a globally sustainable financial architecture!

Wendepunkt COP 30: Mit Partnerschaft aus der fossilen Abhängigkeit

Afrikas Aufbruch: Klima-Gipfel als Chance für die Energiewende

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Further information

A faint light

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