“The charcoal trade, referred to as “black gold” by Kampala traders, has become more profitable than the forests where trees are being indiscriminately cut down for charcoal-burning.”
Environment
NEWS: Kenya to legalize charcoal trade
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 5 – The government now wants to legalize the charcoal business in an attempt to beat illegal charcoal burning which is largely to blame for the loss of the country’s forest cover.
NEWS: Fuel briquettes from groundnut shells
(Via HEDON) “In Gambia, Anthony Tabbal has established a business making fuel briquettes from groundnut shells. He was inspired to do this by his concern over deforestation in the country, with many trees being felled for firewood and charcoal making.”
Rio+20: What he said
From an OpEd in The National Review re: Rio+20: “The inability of billions of humans to meet their fundamental needs, including access to clean water and sanitation, nutrition, basic health care, housing, and education, mean an inability to protect the environment. The anticipated Sustainable Development Goals (to replace Millennium Development Goals when they expire in 2015) need to facilitate and not hinder ways in which all people can and should meet these basic needs. Fortunately, this is in line with protecting the environment, too. With those needs met, each person will have the ability and responsibility to engage in environmentally friendly practices. “
NEWS: Nigeria: Growing Danger of Charcoal Smuggling
This increasing demand for charcoal as an alternative source of fuel in homes and some industries in Nigeria has snowballed into a smuggling ring across national borders, further destroying the already diminishing number of trees in the country.