I've just spent a fascinating week spent in Lima, Peru among many of the world's leading experts on efficient wood cooking stoves. Participants included representatives from governments, UN organisations, NGOs, the private sector and academia. Topics included clean combustion of wood; reducing exposure to indoor air pollution from fires; the climate-changing potential of stoves; and how to further improve stoves - and access to stoves - for the world's poor.
Among the highlights for me was seeing quantitative data on gasifier stoves, both natural-draft (like the Bushbuddy) and forced-draft (like the Wood Gas Stoves and Sierras). These are about as clean as you can get without switching fuels, or using a solar cooker. Usability of these remains an issue for those cooking on them everyday, and many people share my feeling that there's nothing like the convenience of a rocket stove which is so easy to refuel. It's exciting to hear of one group looking to combine the efficiency of gasifier technology, with front-loading usability of a rocket. The forum also provided an opportunity to catch up with old friends, including the StoveTec team, and to meet other stove developers and manufacturers we are forming partnerships with.
The forum is born out of recognition of the huge threat of wood smoke to public health and the environment. It speaks of the commitment of hundreds of professionals around the world to help 3 billion people in the world gain access to cleaner, healthier and more sustainable energy sources - with a particular focus on efficient, clean-burning wood cooking stoves.
