27/05/2026
Charcoal burning
Most families use it because it’s cheap and easy.
Problems is it Cuts down forests, smoky air causes lung disease, prices keep rising as trees disappear. Zambia loses ∼250,000 hectares of forest yearly.
Sustainable alternatives
1. Improved stoves: Use 50% less charcoal, less smoke. Still needs trees but buys time.
2. LPG gas: Clean, fast, no smoke. Main issue is refill costs.
3. Electric/solar cookers: Cheapest per meal if power is stable. No indoor pollution.
4. Biogas: Turns cow dung/food waste into cooking gas. Good for farmers.
5. Ethanol/pellets: Made from waste, not trees. Burns clean.
Let us educate our children and future generations.
