Stoves Built (1998-2011): 49,684

Around the world, over 3 billion people still cook over an open fire to prepare every meal. This energy inequality leads to major human, environmental, and economic health issues. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that indoor air pollution caused by open fire cooking kills close to 2 million people each year, mostly women and children.

Throughout Central America, more than 80% of families cook their meals over open wood fires. These families don't have access to alternative fuel sources and can't afford to buy electric or gas stoves. These open wood fires create serious problems including deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and acute respiratory infections.

To combat these problems, Trees, Water & People and the Aprovecho Research Center have developed the Rocket, Eco-Stove and Justa models of clean cookstoves that use up to 70% less wood than traditional open fire stoves. The technology behind these cookstoves is simple and very low-maintenance, and we manufacture the stoves in-country, using local materials and people, and adapted to meet local cooking customs.

Our improved cookstoves also help families economically. In Guatemala, for example, the fuel-efficiency of our stoves translates into an average cost savings of $10.50 a month per family (from an average income of less than $100/month; 70% of the population of Guatemala earns less than $2/day). Commercial tortilla makers in Nicaragua who use the improved stoves can re-invest the money they save into their businesses.

These clean cookstove projects create jobs, save families money on daily fuel costs, improve human health and the environment, and are designed to be sustainable well into the future.