It is not at all uncommon for those of us in the west to take something for granted. We are all guilty of this on occasion. 

One of the things we take for granted is cheap and reliable energy. Let's leave California out of the discussion.

One of the key necessities for lifting people out of poverty is the availability of cheap and reliable energy. Every other necessity will prove insufficient if this type of energy is not available. 

One of the greatest gifts we can provide underdeveloped countries is access to cheap and reliable energy. If they have this, along with necessities such as property rights protection, a reasonably stable currency and a rule of law social system, innovation will result and poverty will vanish in a short period of time.