The average American is responsible for about 18 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. You can offset 2 tons of your emissions by helping The Appropriate Technology Collaborative provide solar power and clean water to families that currently light their homes with candles and kerosene lamps. You can help families improve their lives, see better at night and drink clean water. ids do homework at night for the first time and girls don't hike long distances to charge the family phone.
Human beings are causing climate change, largely by burning fossil fuels. Right now the annual global average temperature is about 1 - 1.5 degrees Celsius hotter than average. That's the difference between life and death for millions of people. In a few decades many more people will be "climate refugees", moving from coastal areas to higher ground as sea level rises and related health issues rise. We can stop this and bring opportunity to families in rural Guatemala at the same time.
Un-electrified homes in rural Guatemala use candles and kerosene lamps to see at night. They burn wood to make water safe to drink. Candles, kerosene and wood are expensive and emit a tons of carbon and soot, both potent greenhouse gasses. Every house we convert to solar LED lights and water filters saves CO2 emissions and greenhouse gasses equal to 2.5 - 5 tons of CO2 over 5 years. Families see better at night, drink clean water and save money. Please see the attached document.
Our solar LED lighting systems only need a simple battery change after 5 years. The solar panels, LEDs and water filtars are good for 20 years. Your investment will save carbon for many years beyond our initial 5 year program. Guatemalan women weave fabric and make handicrafts at night to sell in the market. Kids do their homework, stay in school longer and get better jobs. Girls don't have to hike hours to charge the family cell phone. Less Carbon = More Opportunity. You make it happen!
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
