Nearly half the people in the world cook over an open fire. Big deal right? It is. Over 90% of energy consumption is either wood or other biomass. In the country of Kenya alone, this leads to the consumption of over 100 million trees annually. It is estimated that 25% of global CO2 emissions are generated by the rural poor, more than all global transportation-related emissions combined. When too many trees are cut down, a compounding affect takes place and a chain reaction is set in motion that destroys watersheds allowing wind, erosion and floods to wash away valuable topsoil. Then the land becomes arid and grasses cease to grow affecting livestock. Following this, the birds and the bees necessary for pollination disappear. And finally, crop yields are reduced, increasing food insecurity and poverty.
This Earth day, The Paradigm Project unveiled a short film based off of their arduous journey entitled, “Woodwalk”. The film has just been released online and is now available below.
The Paradigm Project is working to implement over 5 million clean cook stoves in the world’s developing countries by the year 2020. The ‘Woodwalk’ is just the beginning of an amazing journey. The ambitious group of of lads that makeup the Paradigm Project are not only seeking to implement clean-fuel cookstoves, they are looking to create a sustainable economy for these developing countries.