When natural disasters strike, the electric power grid is often damaged, leaving homes, schools, and health clinics without access to energy when they need them most. Consider Haiti, for example, the Western Hemisphere's poorest country, whose population makes up 25% of those in the Western Hemisphere without access to modern energy. Due to the earthquake of January 2010, many more Haitians were left without access to modern energy, and were forced to use unsafe and unhealthy kerosene lamps and candles as light sources.

A Pledge to Turn the Lights On

To support the recovery effort in Haiti and Sustainable Energy for All, the rock band Linkin Park has launched the Power the World program through its non-profit organization Music for Relief, which aims to raise awareness and generate funding for sustainable energy projects that will bring critical energy resources to areas prone to natural disasters. The initiative will achieve this goal by soliciting donations from supporters to provide a solar-powered lamps to families through EarthSpark International's Enèji Pwòp ("Clean Energy" in Haitian Creole). In addition, Linkin Park will donate $1 from each ticket purchased for its upcoming tour to Music for Relief, and in 2012, half of these funds will benefit the Power the World program directly.

Lifting Communities out of the Dark

Power the World will help 1 million families gain access to sustainable energy by the end of this year.

Power the World's first project focuses on bringing clean energy to Haiti as it continues to rebuild from the 2010 earthquake. The initiative provides families with solar lights that save money in the long term and present a cleaner and healthier alternative to dangerous kerosene lamps.

Power the World will also make an impact on the developed world by raising awareness about energy access, highlighting solutions, and providing opportunities for people, governments, and corporations to get involved. To learn more about how you can help provide energy access to those who need it the most, visit www.powertheworld.org