One of the major consequences of industrial agriculture is the steady flight of rural populations to urban centers. Economists have widely encouraged this mass movement of people as a sign of a developing economies “specializing.”
We are seeing this trend in all majors cities in Latin America, Asia and Africa. Young men and women leave their villages and move to the city in search of better wages and lifestyle. Unfortunately, the promise of a better livelihood often fails to materialize. Villagers are forced to live permanently in tent cities that are scattered across the city with little or no access to water or electricity. Meals are generally cooked inside the tent using open fires that cause respiratory problems for women and children.
Bangalore is no exception to the effects of a globalized economy, but there is an organization working hard to make life in the tent communities a little brighter:Pollinate Energy.
Pollinate Energy is a social enterprise working with Bangalore’s migrant “tent city” communities selling small, efficient solar panels (10×20 cm) that power LED room lamps that can also charge mobile phones.