Protecting Forests
Africa’s forest loss is an accelerating human and ecological tragedy that demands scalable and market-driven solutions. Remaining African forests absorb 5% of all carbon dioxide emissions, a significant global sink that must be protected.
Deforestation in Africa is a complex and multifaceted issue. Two key drivers include the transient agricultural practices of rural families, and the urban demand for charcoal cooking fuel.
Deforestation in Africa is a complex and multifaceted issue. Two key drivers include the transient agricultural practices of rural families, and the urban demand for charcoal cooking fuel.Reducing urban demand for charcoal
Of the 400 million people who now live in African cities, 80% use charcoal as their primary cooking fuel. Charcoal is produced from indigenous forests and transported long distances to cities, where it is retailed on most street corners. Throughout history, humans around the world have followed the same practices, stopping only when forests have been destroyed, or when alternative cooking fuels become available.
Of the 400 million people who now live in African cities, 80% use charcoal as their primary cooking fuel. Charcoal is produced from indigenous forests and transported long distances to cities, where it is retailed on most street corners. Throughout history, humans around the world have followed the same practices, stopping only when forests have been destroyed, or when alternative cooking fuels become available.
CleanStar Mozambique delivers a clean, safe and affordable cooking fuel solution that enables urban families to shift away from deforestation-based charcoal.
Reversing the “slash-burn-degrade-move” cycle
When a rural family first burns tropical forest areas to grow food crops, the yields are initially strong, benefiting from the fertile humus built up over time through the natural cycling of organic matter in forest soils. However, poor agricultural practices result in the depletion of these rich soils after only a few years, forcing rural families to move and clear new forest areas.
When a rural family first burns tropical forest areas to grow food crops, the yields are initially strong, benefiting from the fertile humus built up over time through the natural cycling of organic matter in forest soils. However, poor agricultural practices result in the depletion of these rich soils after only a few years, forcing rural families to move and clear new forest areas.
CleanStar Mozambique assists rural farmers in implementing agroforestry systems on abandoned former forest land, driving permanence through improved soil health and increased yields, whilst simultaneously reforesting shelter belts with indigenous trees.
