Among various indicators of deprivation that are used to measure world poverty, two refer to energy: 1.1 billion people have no access to electricity and 2.9 billion can only cook or warm their home by using an open fire commonly known as three stone fire. It is an issue of inequality, a danger to health, an obstacle to development, a damage to the environment, a penalty to women. This book illustrates the "energy poverty" issue which has been recognised as an emergency in 2015 by the United Nations through the definition of Sustainable Development Goal no.7: "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all".
Original edition: "Poveri d'energia". Translated by Sally Winch