Lighting the World: Transforming Our Energy Future by Bringing Electricity to Everyone

by Jim Rogers

It’s very clear to me that the system of electrical power we have in North America and Europe, which is now being instituted in much of China and India and elsewhere, is not sustainable for the future of the planet. So we’re going to have to figure out something else, and soon.

In my 25 years as an electrical industry CEO, I was responsible for bringing power to millions of customers, as well as satisfying shareholders. In the process I oversaw the release of hundreds of millions of tons of carbon into the atmosphere. I made decisions that led to the creation of treeless corridors in forested areas to make room for major power lines. There was always a tradeoff.

I believe that if Coca-Cola can get crates of its product to every community on earth each week (and in the areas that still use glass bottles pick up the empties for recycling), then we can get clean energy to the last villages at the end of every road and trail.