[Stoves] report with disappointing results from cleaner cookstoves

[Crispin Pemberton-Pigott]

Dear Andrew

I agree with you. Now, how do we substantiate our claims for having an impact? Being 'obvious' might be good enough for some. 

The benefit of saving fuel is pretty easy to demonstrate, provided the testing context is realistic and the calculation is done properly. The CDM funding is only available when the fuel supply is being cut 'unsustainably', as defined. There is no (official) interest in saving fuel in places with an excessive supply of it. 

So the question arises, what happens if efforts are made to increase the supply around Lusaka and the charcoal market is expanded? It would be easy to supply that sustainably, it just isn't being done. ‎Will that be rewarded or penalized?

The Dutch government group DGIS used to have a great concept for selecting projects called 'access to modern energy'. If the stove was more 'modern', it was supported. That places the user and their perception front and centre, instead of an outsider pushing the agenda they happen to have funding for. Darfur is a good example. Some families ended up with half a dozen different 'improved stoves' or more.

We need a discussion about needs and wants and what a desirable, holistic solution would look like. 

Regards 
Crispin 


>They are not treated with DDT. They are treated with pyrethroids, which are natural and grown in Uganda, among other places. This is why I think that:

My point was I'd rather risk the long term effects of targeted
application of DDT than increase the risk of malaria, I'd happily use
a safer natural treatment were it effective and available.

In fact I am old enough to have witnessed and experienced blanket
fogging of DDT to reduce insect populations and presumably still
retain the chemical in my fat (unfortunately gnats and midges still
like to eat me).

>
>For stovers to argue that they provide more health benefit compared with nets or pneumonia inoculations they have to come up with provable claims. 

I don't believe anyone is arguing that, we know cleaner stoves should
lead to better indoor air quality but the conjecture in this case is
that other factors are more significant in causing the respiratory
problems that they overwhelm any contribution cleaner stoves can make.
In no way does this detract from the need for cleaner stoves.

Andrew

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