Why?

As of the latest data, approximately 2.6 billion people worldwide rely on solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, coal, and dung for cooking. This practice has significant health, environmental, and social impacts:

Health Impacts

1. Indoor Air Pollution: The use of solid fuels in open fires or traditional stoves leads to high levels of indoor air pollution. This is a major health risk, particularly for women and children who spend a lot of time near these cooking areas.
2. Respiratory Issues: Exposure to smoke from solid fuels causes respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. It also exacerbates conditions like asthma and tuberculosis.
3. Premature Deaths: It is estimated that household air pollution from solid fuels contributes to around 4 million premature deaths annually.

Environmental Impacts

1. Deforestation: The collection of wood for fuel is a leading cause of deforestation, particularly in developing countries. This contributes to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of ecosystems.
2. Climate Change: Burning solid fuels releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere. This contributes to global warming and climate change.
3. Air Pollution: The combustion of solid fuels emits pollutants such as black carbon (soot) and particulate matter, which contribute to outdoor air pollution and have further climate impacts.

Social Impacts

1. Time and Labor: Collecting solid fuels can be time-consuming and physically demanding, often falling to women and children. This task can take several hours each day, limiting their time for education, work, and other productive activities.
2. Safety Risks: The process of collecting wood and other solid fuels can expose individuals to safety risks, including accidents, animal attacks, and sometimes even violence in conflict-prone areas.
3. Economic Costs: In some regions, purchasing solid fuels can be a significant financial burden for low-income households.

Mitigation Efforts

Efforts to mitigate these impacts include promoting cleaner cooking technologies and fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), electricity, and solar cookers. International organizations and governments are working to provide access to these alternatives and improve public awareness about the health risks of solid fuel use.

Improving access to clean cooking solutions is a key component of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to health (SDG 3), energy (SDG 7), and climate action (SDG 13).