Environmental Effects
Under the Shadow of a Tree
Trees absorb carbon dioxide and prevent erosion. They also provide shade. Keeping tree cover on farmland is a key to sustainability yet deforestation continues globally. Solvatten can reduce the amount of firewood used as household fuel.
To heat or boil water people use a variety of fuels, most commonly wood, gas or kerosene. These fuels are not only expensive, their use has environmentally damaging effects. Solvatten provides households with ready access to pre-heated water, reducing their reliance on firewood and charcoal for everyday water purification, cooking and households hygiene.
Recognition from WWF
In October 2009 WWF announced that Solvatten is one of their chosen ”Climate Solvers” for 2009. Having assessed the potential of the Solvatten technology to reduce green-house gas emissions, WWF concluded that the impact could be significant. See http://www.climatesolver.org for more information.
Non-sustainable energy in Africa
- 80% of people in Africa rely on biomass for energy (wood or charcoal fuel)
- 70% of household income is spent on energy (diesel, kerosene, charcoal and firewood).
- 4 million hectares of forest are felled each year, twice the world average.
