Global climate change, slash-and-burn farming practices, over population, plant and animal species threatened with extinction, pollutants in our air, water and soil – are all serious environmental challenges facing the world today. The main energy sources used by the poor – wood, candles, kerosene and disposable batteries – are all harmful to the environment.

The time spent collecting wood disproportionately affects women and children, since the task of fuel collection usually falls to them. It also creates deforestation, which in turn results in soil erosion and depletion.

There is a high environmental cost to produce, use and recycle disposable batteries used in transistor radios. Billions of highly toxic disposable batteries are thrown into landfills every year, each battery requiring 50 times more energy to produce than it generated. Heavy metals, such as mercury, leach into the ground contributing to soil and water pollution, endangering fish, wildlife and humans – entire ecosystems.

Lifeline Energy wind-up and solar-powered Lifeline radios and Lifelight lanterns provide dependable human or solar energy. Lifeline radios and Lifelights use NiMH rechargeable batteries, which last at least four years and can be recycled once they go flat. They can also be easily replaced to extend the life of the product by a further four years.