Talking Point
Looking for a global project or a speaker … why not contact Maya?
4 million deaths.
7.5 billion tons of CO2 emissions,
that is 2% of global greenhouse gases.
50% of all black carbon emissions,
which are 1,500 times more damaging than CO2.
That is because 3 billion people in the world have no other option than to cook on
open fires. Each family burns almost 50 trees per year. The smoke from these
fires leads to respiratory disease and other health issues, especially in women
and children. Collecting firewood also takes an exorbitant amount of time and
effort of the women, forming an obstacle to gender equality.
The good news is, that solutions are available and you can be part of them!
We challenge you to create a project or to join the Abingdon Vesper Rotary Eco-
stove Project for families and schools in Uganda. Mud-stoves made from free local
materials need only 1/3 of firewood and greatly reduce smoke. Hand in hand with
tree planting this makes a difference. www.learning4lifeafrica.org
Cooking in the developed world must move away from fossil fuels and become
more energy efficient, for instance by switching to an induction hob using green
electricity.
Maya Smeulders
Abingdon Vesper Rotary, D1090
ESRAG Cleaner Cookstoves Taskforce
mayasmeulders@hotmail.com