Many poor people in the southernmost province of Ca Mau burn forests to obtain charcoal, running the gauntlet of years in jail and even shooting by rangers. “We know we are burning our own homes, but what else can we do to feed ourselves?”
Charcoal
NEWS: Charcoal is Uganda’s “black gold.”
“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.”
Weekend reading: Focus on Cookstove Fuels
Ned Starck is rumored to have said, “Winter is coming. And every home needs a good stove. And every stove needs good fuel.”
NEWS: What’s good for the panda is good for the cookstove
There is evidence that bamboo charcoal burns cleaner than wood charcoal and with comparable heating and energy values. Charcoal production is another way for families to diversify their livelihoods and earn some additional income, and the relatively limited investments required for the simple charcoal-making process make it an income source that is accessible to many.
NEWS: Kenya urges move to plant trees for charcoal
It’s encouraging to hear the head of the Kenya Forestry Service call for the planting of trees for wood energy and other products. That’s exactly the right call. We would however want to make certain that his call to plant trees on agricultural lands does not come at the expense of food production. Food security must remain a priority. Luckily there are ways to do both and do them well. — The Charcoal Project Encourage commercial logging to grow Kenya’s forest cover – report Source: AlertNet Mon, 5 Nov 2012 19:10 GMT By Katy Migiro NAIROBI (AlertNet) – Kenya should Continue reading