Kierstin Lilly
10/21/10
11:25 AM
Throughout Tanzania, Africa the business of unsustainable logging is escalading. There are more than 39 million people, or 90 percent, of Tanzania’s population who are relying on firewood and charcoal for household cooking fuel. This wood is also the primary energy source for brick and tobacco-curing industries. The result of this has been a drastic loss in the country’s forestland. “The country’s forest cover has reduced over the last 40 years from 6.3 hectares per capita in 1961 to around .08 hectares in 2009.” Because of this, miles of land have been left bare and incapable of holding water or supporting plant life for agriculture. The United Nations Development Program is working towards reducing firewood use by 50 percent and providing “affordable, reliable and sustainable energy services.”
The techniques that the UNDP want to put in affect would be used to dry out wood and switch to improved clay firewood stoves. “We want to demonstrate the best existing energy technologies that can be easily adopted by the poor.” The goal is to educate people to make the most of the energy sources they use. I appreciate the author of this article working towards finding out not only what the issue is in this country but also what the country plans to do to fix it, and also how the people of the country will do in adapting to its changes. The deforestation problem in Tanzania is continuing to grow larger with people using 1,000 kilograms of wood to create only 100 kilograms of charcoal. “It is estimated that if all households in the country started using improved firewood stoves, deforestation could be reduced by around 206,000 hectares per year.” To me, the fact that the poor individuals of this country are being recognized shows that their identity matters it implies that this issue will be resolved and managed accordingly.
1 comment:
It is hopeful to see that Tanzania is aware that this deforestation is an issue and is working to find ways to resolve it.
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