Ann Johansson, Winning Photographer for the Climate Visuals Photography Award
WHAT IT SHOWS: Shohida Begum poses for photographs being lit by a solar powered lantern, in a slum in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, November 11, 2018. Begum bought the solar powered lantern from Pollinate Energy a company that sells products to people living in slum communities in India. Many slums do not have electricity affecting what can be done after dark. Some homes in some slums steal electricity from the electricity grid but the electricity they have is sporadic. Solar powered lights address this lack of reliable electricity.
It is estimated that more than 17% of regular households in India still need to be electrified. This does not account for the millions of people who live in slums. Solar powered lighting is a solution that enables bringing lights to communities living off the electricity grid. It also off-sets the growing demand for more coal fired power plants that are a cause of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming.