It’s sobering to learn that not everyone in the world has electricity access. And it’s humbling to learn just how many people don’t.
According to Statista, 746 million people (mostly in Sub-Sahara Africa, developing Asia and Latin America) in 2023 did not have access to electricity.
The good news: That number dropped by more than half between 2000 and 2023.
The bad news: 746 million people! Without electricity! To put that number in perspective, the United States has about 340 million people.
You know that your electric cooperative does a lot to keep the lights on and give back to the community locally. (As always, your cooperative’s news begins on page 22.)
But you might not know how much Arkansas lineworkers and the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas as a whole do to electrify regions and improve lives globally through Operation Razorback, an international initiative that began in 2013.
This month, we celebrate Valentine’s Day, and we’re doing so with a cover story that’s all heart.
“Labor of Love” (page 8) shares the inspiring experiences of Arkansas lineworkers who participated in December’s Operation Razorback trip to rural Guatemala. It was a first mission for some, a subsequent mission for others and a life-changing mission for all.
On the subject of Reliable, Affordable and Responsible electricity, our organization’s core mission, please also take time to read the second part of our Balance of Power series, “Reliability at Risk” (page 18). We never want to dishearten anyone — particularly during Valentine’s season — but there are some industry challenges that we want our members to be aware of.
Back to sweeter things, and we have a magazine full of them! Don’t miss Kat Robinson’s tasty feature on Lambrecht Gourmet Toffee (page 24) and a chocolatey Reader Recipes roundup (page 34) full of mouthwatering Valentine’s morsels.
A hearty, happy Valentine’s Day to you!