Potentials and Pitfalls EWB Report Winston Boon | ID:
n9450947Our sustainable solution is to implement a new fireplace in
the regular household that ventilates smoke into another room i.e.
the Hot Box, which can be used to dry maize or cereals. In
discussing our group solution and like all projects, there are
potential benefits as well as issues. These issues as well as
benefits are to be discussed to maximise potential benefits.
Potential technical, environmental and social problems: Having a
steel door that can generate heat, causing it to be a safety hazard
(technical) Environmentally reliable (guaranteed recycling) but may
be hazard towards children Wood burning emits natural pollutants,
man-made toxins and causes particulate matter (environmental) Trees
absorb man-made toxins and release concentrated toxins back into
air (STEPHENS, Gus, 2012) Direct and indirect effects on
environment; effects on vegetation, soil, etc. (USDA FOREST SERVICE
SOUTHERN REGION, 2003) Modern techniques used for cooking
technology may not abide by the villagers traditional and cultural
practices (social) From traditional technologies that rely on
manual labour and simple cooking utensils, raising level of modern
technologies depends on balance between quantity of bunches
available for processing in given locality and money available for
investment in machines (AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION,
2002)Mitigation of potential impacts: Basic education
scheme/program could be implemented to ensure children or adults
(mainly women) do not suffer from safety hazards i.e. burns
(technical) Use of hardwoods such as oak and cherry is suggested
for primary fuel as these woods burn slower and emit less smoke
(environmental) (STEPHENS, Gus, 2012) Basic education of the
potential impacts can be taught to villagers to give the people of
Bambui a further understanding of the practicality of new
technologies (social)Beneficial aspects of the Hot Box: Can be up
to 50% more energy efficient Reduces fires in households Most of
the resources for construction or abundant i.e. mud bricks Reduces
indoor and outdoor wood smoke pollution which has been linked to
serious health conditions such as cancer and asthma (using
ventilation system) (UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY,
2015) Can decrease the death rate of 14.6%, which can save
thousands in health benefits each year (DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT OCAR WEST AND CENTRAL REGION, 2003)
Opportunities to enhance beneficial aspects: Slow and cautious
approach of new technologies will minimise the effect of dramatic
change in the village The use of local labour throughout
construction of the Hot Box Growth in tourism and business
prospects by showcasing Bambui Completion of project should not be
rushed i.e. step by step; following proceduresFrom the
investigation of the Hot Box, it can be concluded that the project
is sufficient for the villagers of Bambui with the support of the
potential benefits and enhancements evaluated in the report. Thus,
these evaluations show as evidence that the project is safe and
beneficial. Reference List
AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION. 2002. General Processing.
[online]. [Accessed 15 2015 2014 ]. Available from World Wide
Web:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT OCAR WEST AND
CENTRAL REGION. 2003. GRASSFIELD DECENTRALIZED AND PARTICIPATORY
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. [online]. [Accessed 15 April 2015].
Available from World Wide Web:
STEPHENS, Gus. 2012. Is Burning Wood Bad for the Environment.
[online]. [Accessed 14 April 2015]. Available from World Wide
Web:
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. 2015. Consumers -
Energy Efficiency and Wood-Burning Stoves and Fireplaces. [online].
[Accessed 15 April 2015]. Available from World Wide Web:
USDA FOREST SERVICE SOUTHERN REGION. 2003. Environmental
Effects. [online]. [Accessed 15 April 2015]. Available from World
Wide Web:
