I know there is an organization called Solar Cookers International that
does distribute and train people in areas that are sun-rich and fuel
challenged. I think it is a wonderful idea, as I heard at the Clean Air
Technologies International 2001 conference this fall that indoor air quality
from poor fuels in these countries (i.e. dung, etc.) is causing significant
health problems and pre-mature death.
Heather
>>> Thomas M Hughes-Lampros
<tlampros@UDel.Edu> 01/23/02 10:42AM >>>
Greetings,
The
front page of the local (Gannett) newspaper recently carried a picture
of two
children digging in the Afghanistan desert for roots to use
for
cooking. Ignoring the energy content of the roots for the moment,
I
couldn't help but notice what a sunny day it was in the picture.
It
occured to me that, if what people need is heat for cooking, look to
an
available and easily convertible source: the Sun. The effort
expended in
periodically rotating a solar box cooker to keep it pointed at
the sun
would be far less, and far more sustainable, than digging in the dirt
for
roots.
Furthermore, if what people need is space heat, again look
to the sun. A
simple transpired solar collector could provide the heat
necessary for a
small hut, provided of course, that the hut was protected
from the winter
winds.
Personally, I would like to see relief efforts
provide "the pole" rather
than "the fish."
Peace,
Tom
Hughes-Lampros
tlampros@udel.edu
Institute of Energy Conversion
tel: 302.831.3523
University of Delaware
fax: 302.831.6226
Wyoming
Rd.
Newark, DE 19716
When we turn our face to the sun,
we feel the
power to heal the earth.
"First they ignore you
Then they
laugh at you
Then they fight
you
Then you
win"
-Gandhi
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
Power concedes
nothing without a demand." -- Frederick Douglas
"Sentiment without action
is the ruin of the soul." -Edward Abbey
Work is love made visible.
And if you cannot work with love but only with
distaste, it is better that
you should leave your work and sit at the gate
of the temple and take alms of
those who work with joy.
-- Kahlil
Gibran
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