Worldwide, over 1.3 billion people lack access to electricity and another 1 billion have unreliable access, with enormous consequences for their everyday lives. In addition, many countries spend a high share of their GDP on fossil fuel imports, making them dependent on foreign energy supplies and vulnerable to price fluctuations. The burning of fossil fuels pollutes local environments, endangers the health of citizens, and exacerbates global climate change.

At head of title: Worldwatch report 187. "Although progress has been slow on a global agreement to address human-caused climate change, much is happening within individual nations and communities that offers promise for moving toward an energy system that is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable"--P. 6.