Uganda heavily depends on biomass as a source of energy since there is no nationwide access to modern energy sources. Most Ugandans find charcoal and wood fuel as the most affordable choice. Unsustainable fuelwood extraction is one of the key drivers of forest degradation and deforestation in Uganda. Every year, almost 3% of Uganda’s forests are cut down and charcoal is not only seen as source of energy but also an economic activity for the rural communities who derive livelihood from charcoal burning and selling. At the current rate of forest loss, Uganda is projected to lose all of its forests in the next 25 years! This forest cover loss is the major cause of extended droughts, loose soils are resulting into poor yields and landslides! According to the 2016/17 Uganda National Household Survey, more than 80% of Uganda’s rural households use firewood for cooking. With increasing populations, a growing gap between supply and demand of wood fuel continues to escalate deforestation, creating social and environmental hazards.
Research shows that the practice of utilizing charcoal and wood fuel impacts negatively on the health of many women and children in Uganda. Most rural poor families cook from the same houses they sleep in and emission of dangerous biomass smoke is becoming a public health disaster. Wood fuel cooking where the smoke collects inside homes is causing increased respiratory issues for family members who spend time in unventilated homes. The World Health Organisation estimates that smoke inhalation from traditional wood burning stoves is equal to smoking two packs of cigarettes a day! This has an enormous impact on the health of families, with women and children being most vulnerable to the risks. Care for Nature is working with host communities to provide poor households with affordable, clean and efficient cooking stoves that reduce the consumption of firewood and emit less smoke with positive social and environmental impacts. These stoves also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere which helps to mitigate climate change as it reduces emissions while helping families to breathe cleaner indoor air. Our focus areas are Karamoja region and communities around critical forest ecosystems like Bwindi and Kibale, and Budongo Forests.