Project Type: Energy Efficiency
Status: Retired
Type: Gold Standard
This project will involve the distribution of 1984 energy efficient stoves in the Shimoni community, in Kenya. This community is one of the poorest in the region being also largely overpopulated, with most of its people suffering from unemployment, poor health and poverty. The lifestyles of the locals within this community often impact negatively on the environment, as for instance regarding deforestation. These stoves will utilise the efficient rocket technology and will be manufactured, distributed and installed by local people. Initial testing has shown these stoves to be more than 50% more efficient than traditional models as well as it reduces the indoor smoke about 80%. These stoves will be using less firewood and emitting less smoke.
Climate change and health are inexorably linked. The WHO estimates that 7 million premature deaths annually are linked to air pollution and between 2030 and 2050 climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year, with direct damage costs to health estimated at between US$2-4 billion/year by 2030. If climate change is not brought under control, health problems from unclean air, major depletion of natural resources, water unsafe to drink, insufficient food and lack of secure shelter will only be exacerbated, leaving those developing countries that are most exposed least able to cope.
Stable Farming Environments:
- Project stoves save up to 50% firewood compared to an open fire.
- Households can save on average 1 tonne of wood per year.
- With less firewood demand, there is also less pressure on the local natural environment which can result in reduced soil erosion.
- Biodiversity and forest resources are enhanced and local farming benefits greatly.
- Stoves will be built locally in the surrounding area.
- Greatly reduces the amount of time needed to gather sufficient wood.
Safer childhoods
The vast majority of hospitalised burn victims in Africa are under the age of six years old. Hot liquid scalds and open flame burns are the most common type of injury. The project’s improved cookstoves are safer than traditional cooking methods because the stove’s structure shields the fire to contain heat and so protects against burns.
Air pollution
The World Health Organisation reports that household air pollution is the number one risk factor for burden of diseases. Improved cookstoves are associated with reduced smoke, which can lessen exposure to indoor air pollution, reduce asthma, long term respiratory problems and generally improve immune system health.