Social impact is defined as the effect that policies, businesses, or projects may have on the community and society itself. Whether this effect is positive or negative will have an impact on the dynamic of a community and those that live in it. Therefore, it is crucial that businesses find a prominent issue in their community to address and resolve in order to contribute and make a difference in the world. This article will explore one example of a social impact business that provides energy for rural communities: BioLite.

BioLite is a for-profit organization that sells products to households in rural areas. The thing that makes the company unique, however, is that they utilize the energy around them to power their products, which range from stoves, power stations, to lights. Founded by co-founders Jonathan Cedar - the current CEO of BioLite - and Alexander Drummond in 2006, the two met in NYC while working at the design consultancy Smart Design. They created BioLite out of interest for powering stoves with biomass, and officially launched their first product in 2012. 

Now, let's take a moment to appreciate the achievements of BioLite on the improvement and betterment of off-grid communities. Foremost, they have been successful in addressing energy poverty in rural areas, as seen in a recent report from 2023, where more than 2 million people now have access to clean energy. Additionally, since BioLite uses clean burning wood and charcoal stoves, they have significantly limited our carbon emissions. In fact, since their launch, BioLite has offset over 2.2 million tons of CO₂, which would have otherwise increased the rate of climate change and the deterioration of our planet. Last but not least, for people who live below the minimum income threshold, saving money is a big concern when trying to access electricity. Customers who use BioLite products save money since they don't need to pay for fuel or energy, with a reported average of $173 saved annually. 

Besides the ways in which BioLite contributes continuously to our changing climate, this company also gives back to the community, caring for the health and well being of those around them. Studies from the WHO (World Health Organization) reveal that there are over 4 million deaths caused by lung cancer and heart disease as a result from cooking on open fires. BioLite has tried to tackle this problem by selling inexpensive stoves to customers in countries such as Ghana, Uganda, and India, and still continues to work tirelessly to provide better lives to people in underdeveloped countries. 

BioLite is continuously working to provide clean energy to 20 million people as well as to offset over 3 million tons of CO₂ by next year, combating the fast occurring changes of global warming. By providing people with safe energy and eco-friendly options, BioLite shows an unwavering commitment to improving the living conditions of countless individuals worldwide. As more businesses learn and follow in BioLite's footsteps, our standards of living can continue to rise globally and our planet will become a cleaner place to live in.