Rotarians for SustainabilityAfrican Solar Cookers Project

Presentation by Craig Clarke

to Rotary Club of Nanaimo Friday May 21, 2010

COPING WITH THE IMPACT

http://ochaonline.un.org/ochahome/InFocus/ClimateChangeHumanitarianImpact/tabid/5930/language/en-US/Default.aspx

• 20 M displaced by climate disasters last year, nearly 4x as many compared to conflict areas • Around 70% of disasters are now climate related• 2.4 billion people affected in last decade

http://www.who.int/entity/globalchange/news/GEF_Project.pps

World Health Organization

We Are Part of the Solution• residents responsible for 30% of BC emissions

(http://www.livesmartbc.ca/learn/emissions.html)• Direct energy use by households accounts for

approximately 38% of overall US emissions, and larger than the emissions of any country except China.

• US household emissions could be reduced by 20% within 10 yrs without major lifestyle change

http://www.pnas.org/content/106/44/18452.full.pdf+html

Our Personal Emissions• Average BC household emits 5 tonnes per person • For many, the vehicle we drive has biggest effect on

our emissions • BUT airline flights are very high (e.g., for 2 people):

– Vancouver – Honolulu return 4.2 tonnes– Vancouver – Hong Kong return 10.4 tonnes

• Recommend reducing personal emissions as much as possible, buy carbon offsets for remainder

http://www.thesustainabilitytrust.org/

Rotarians for Sustainability http://www.thesustainabilitytrust.org/

• 11 Founding Member Clubs on 5 continents.

South African Solar Cooking

• Promoting solar cookers in South Africa by linking Clubs in -

• Cheltenham England, • Fresno California, • Grahamstown, S. Africa, • Kirstenbosch, Cape Town, S.A. and • Swaziland

Grahamstown, SA

The Need• Grahamstown townships have 82%

unemployment with 35% HIV incidence.• Fuel costs are a financial burden.• Very poor families search for firewood,

which is only available after long treks separating mothers from children.

• Open fires in confined spaces produce respiratory distress.

Why Solar Cooking?• Easily & cheaply manufactured locally from

recycled cardboard, glue and foil.

• Ovens last for one year, with no fuel costs

• Estimated savings of $200 annually.

• No emissions and reduced risk of burning.

Integrated Solar Cooking

• Solar ovens to reduce need for fuel wood

• Six brick "Rocket" Stoves (fuel and energy efficient)

• Haybasket (heat retained cooker-similar to a thermos)

• Water Purification Instrument (WAPI)

The Workshop

http://www.thesustainabilitytrust.org/doc/solarcookerssouthafricantownships.pdf

Next Step

G8 + 5 Academies Joint StatementClimate Change and low-carbon energy

• Essential that world leaders agree on emissions reductions needed to combat Climate Change

• Support access to low-carbon energy by developing countries

• Increase investment in adaptation strategies targeted for the most vulnerable countries

http://www.nationalacademies.org/includes/G8+5energy-climate09.pdf

US National Academy of SciencesAmerica’s Climate Choices

• Strong credible body of scientific evidence shows that climate change is caused by human activities and poses significant risks for a broad range of human and natural systems

• Future generations will have to live with consequences of decisions made today

http://dels.nas.edu/resources/static-assets/materials-based-on-reports/reports-in-brief/Science_Report_Brief_Final.pdf

Ethics of Climate Change • Weighing our prosperity against chances

that CC will diminish the well being of future generations

• Future generations will suffer most effects but if the economy grows, will be richer than we are

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-ethics-of-climate-change