The web is buzzing about D.Light, a venture-capitalist-sweetheart-startup founded by two Stanford MBA graduates. D.Light’s lofty goal is to replace every kerosene lantern in the world with safe, affordable lighting by 2012.

For the casual camper, the kerosene lantern may provide a few moments of frustration before an evening at the campfire. Many living far below the poverty line, however, depend on kerosene lamps, and simply can’t afford to upgrade to safer, brighter lighting. As reported at the San Jose Mercury News, 72 million households in India alone are without electricity. Poor lighting prevents many in poverty from studying or working as long as they would like. D.Light hopes that its solar-powered or quick-charge LED lanterns will change all of that. The company is marketing its lanterns for just $12-$25, and launched the non-profit website DLightDesign.org to garner donations for families who can’t afford to buy its products.

Hoping to upgrade from smelly, dim, dangerous kerosene lanterns to an LED model yourself? The Coast LED Lenser Large Lantern at right is a great choice, as its batteries provides 80 hours of use at the highest light setting, and its LED bulbs are rated to last for ten years!

Interested in environmentally-friendly camping? Follow the link.

Top photo via d.light.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 at 7:56 pm and is filed under LED Lights, LED News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.