Sunday, June 15, 2008

Charcoal and Firewood- Tanzania,E.Africa

Charcoal and firewood are used extensively in Tanzania, even in the towns and cities. At least 85% or more of Tanzania's 36 million citizens use this renewable source of energy to cook their food.
Yet, because reforestation efforts are not agressive and people are not trained in the planting and growing of trees, nor in the effective management and use of local forest resources, it is evident to all that this renewable resource is not presently sustainable. It could be sustainable, however, on a local and village level, and even national level, if people receive training about proper forest management, agroforestry practice, and reforestation principles.
Solar cooking is a positive choice as a supplemental or main cooking source in most parts of Tanzania E.Africa because of the abundant sunshine and economic benefits of solar cooking. People have a good economic incentives to use this product because it saves money and Tanzanians need things that are cost-effective since they live in the second most poorest country in the world. They are rich, however, in many other ways besides money. However it is necessary to mobilize and to use the intangible and tangible resources and riches of the country for the good of all in a way that is non-exploitive of people and their environment.
Solar cookers make good use of wood products and and they conserve and protect resources especially when the box cooker is sold together with trees, seeds, and agroforestry training materials.
Education and training seminars in communities and local schools would be effective in these issues. Training seminars and modules taught in community groups about solar and agroforestry would also help people in the use and dissimenation of these new solar products and the benefit and management of trees and forestry resources.

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