The most abundant, available, renewable, non-polluting source of energy on the planet is human physical energy. Nothing else can match all four of those criteria. It's only conventional thinking that fails to see the potential of tapping it to produce electricity.

As an example, take an exercise machine that simulates the act of climbing stairs, and re-design it so that it pumps air with every step. The air is directed into an air storage tank. A 10 minute "workout" results in an extremely powerful store of compressed air. The controlled release of it powers a high-speed flywheel/generator for a period of time, producing a significant amount of electricity. As in small windmill systems designed for the consumer market, the electricity can be stored in batteries for use when needed, and/or connected to an electric meter to make it run backward.

The question is whether people would be willing to do a bit of moderate, daily exercise - in their own homes - if it meant saving money on their electric bills. Bear in mind that millions of people around the world are already exercising everyday, using machines that do absolutely nothing but provide resistance to muscles. Technology is in dire need of a new perspective.

Electricity has a monetary value. Every able-bodied person on Earth could be a potential human dynamo, with the ability to produce a commodity that will always be in demand. Is there a better way to end poverty, and raise the standard of life all over the world?