| Popis: |
The objectives of this chapter are to explore the broad context of energy sources; how this information can be used to provide energy services; the role of energy in alleviating poverty; the types of energy sources available to reduce poverty; and, finally, to provide a framework that considers local conditions that ultimately influence which energy solutions will be sustainable. Ecology is relevant in this endeavor not only in terms of considering the ecological impacts of different potential energy interventions, but also in constructing an integrated framework to consider the interactions between the physical environment and the socio-cultural and economic components on the functioning of the system as a whole (ecology, sensu Odum 1977). As such, no matter the status of the natural environment, which is highly degraded in many developing countries, an integrative definition of “ecology” rather than an environmentally focused interpretation can be applied to evaluate the applicability and long-term sustainability of energy solutions. |
