Above: UNSG Ban Ki-moon and Grammy-winning rock band Linkin Park (UN Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The United Nations and American rock band Linkin Park are teaming up on an effort to bring renewable energy, particularly in Haiti, as part of a global sustainable energy initiative.

The band’s first connection to Haiti came with its video, “Not Alone,” which aimed at helping to raise money for Haiti after the earthquake and was seen by more than 9.5 million viewers on YouTube.

Beginning in January, the group helped raise money to provide solar lights for homes in Haiti that did not have electricity.

That is something the band said it would continue to work on as part of the programme.

“We’re very proud of the money that our fans actually helped to raise to put solar lights in Haiti, which protect [Haitians] from danger and allow them to do essential things,” said lead guitarist Brad Delson. “So we will obviously continue to do our part in terms of helping the people of Haiti, whom we care about very much.”

The global initiative was launched in September, and aims at achieving universal access to modern energy services, doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficacy and doubling the global energy mix, all by 2030.

“We want to raise visibility of the issue and we want to help spread the word,” said lead vocalist Michael Shinoda. “We also want to make a difference on the ground. We are enlisting the help of our fans to achieve both.”

Ban said the band’s reach could be extremely beneficial.

“Sustainable Energy for All will help us to reduce poverty, drive economic dynamism, reduce the risks of climate change and protect the planet — all at the same time,” said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. “We can turn on the lights in every household and turn down the global thermostat. Linkin Park can help us spread this message.”