Last summer, Live 8 concerts and Bono were all the rage. The music, celebrities and, of course, the ideals encouraged millions of people to join the fight to end global poverty.

That summer, in Gleneagles, Scotland, G-8 leaders made the same commitment by promising debt relief to more than three dozen of the poorest nations in the world — 19 of which have benefited this year.
Recently, the same leaders met in St. Petersburg, Russia, to discuss energy security. Debt cancellation was not a priority on the agenda. Instead, they adopted a plan of action based on a definition of energy security that primarily promotes the expansion of oil production worldwide.

This measure threatens to undermine last year's achievements on debt relief by increasing worldwide oil dependence and exacerbating climate change, and driving these forgotten impoverished countries deeper into debt.

We cannot treat global poverty apathetically like last year's summer fling. In the months and years following this year's G-8 summit, we must demand a comprehensive, sustainable solution that focuses on renewable energy and puts an end to oil dependence and crushing debts for the sake of the world's poorest people.

Samantha Levy
Greensboro