We were inspired by responses to our recent post calling for a Stern-Review-on-Economics-of-Climate-Change-type analysis of the actual cost to societies of current global dependence on traditional biomass for fuel.
While much attention has been paid to the social and economic impact of Indoor Air Pollution (IAP), we feel strongly that compiling more comprehensive data on the environmental costs (including Climate Change, loss of ecosystem services, etc.), and impacts on labor productivity and poverty alleviation would help establish the baseline necessary from which to begin a comprehensive review of current policies and cost benefit analysis of energy-efficiency promotion on a global scale.
The Charcoal Project is in discussions with academic and multi-lateral institutions to get the process started but we also need your help to compile the necessary data.
So, if you know of, or have any, data quantifying the potential economic cost of traditional biomass consumption, we enjoin you to share these with us. We will ensure any use of data is properly credited.
Establishing the cost to society of continued use of traditional forms of biomass using unimproved technology is the first step towards initiating a conversation that will, hopefully, lead to comprehensive policies and investments in increased energy efficiency for the bottom of the pyramid.
We thank you in advance for your support!
J. Kim Chaix & Nina Grigoriev
The Charcoal Project
jkimchaix@charcoalproject.org
nina@charcoalproject.org
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