Reducing Air Pollution
In recent years, a greater understanding has emerged over the major contributing role of Black Carbon in climate change. Black Carbon is the soot and particulate emissions that result from forest fires, old diesel engines and cook stoves. Unlike CO2, Black Carbon remains in the atmosphere for only a few weeks, so cutting its emissions can immediately reduce the rate of regional warming experienced.
Approximately 80% of global Black Carbon emissions come from the developing world, and the production and burning of charcoal plays a major role. A material transition away from reliance on charcoal cooking in urban Africa is possible with the clean cooking solution being rolled out by CleanStar.
Inhalation of smoke from charcoal stoves contributes to a range of chronic illnesses and acute health impacts such as early childhood pneumonia, emphysema, cataracts, lung cancer, bronchitis, cardiovascular disease, and low birth weight. The World Health Organization estimates harmful cook stove smoke to be one of the top five threats to public health in developing countries.
Transitioning to an ethanol-based clean cook stove enables urban families to move away from reliance on charcoal and the negative health outcomes caused by indoor air pollution.
Carbon Dioxide and Black Carbon
The production, transport and consumption of charcoal cause significant greenhouse gas emissions that can be avoided through switching to a clean alternative. The carbon dioxide emissions caused through charcoal are well documented, and an active
