The linkages between
fuel use and health impacts are recognized in the Johannesburg
Plan of Implementation. The chapter “Health and Sustainable
Development” advocates reducing respiratory diseases and other
harmful impacts of air pollution by “supporting efforts for
the reduction of emissions through the use of cleaner fuels” and “assisting
developing countries in providing affordable energy to rural communities,
particularly to reduce dependence on traditional fuel sources for
cooking and heating.”
The documents featured
below underscore some of the important correlations between energy
use and health effects.
Joint
WHO/UNDP Statement on Indoor Air Pollution (2004)
|
UNDP and
the WHO mark World Rural Women’s Day by drawing attention
to indoor air pollution. Caused by solid fuel use, it is
a major cause of death and disease in poor countries. Cleaner
energy alternatives can reduce the problem.
|
Affecting
Electricity Policy through a Community Micro Hydro Project, Kenya (2003) |
Summary of lessons learned from
a community project in Kenya. This project sought to remove the policy, technical
and institutional barriers that limited the development and use of renewable energy
sources to meet the energy needs of the poor, off-grid communities.
|
Biogas
in Peri-Urban Areas, Mali (2003) |
This project brief describes lessons
learned form a project in Mali. The pilot project installed domestic biogas units
in peri-urban zones of the city of Bamako. Wider use of biogas units would help reduce
the demand for firewood in peri-urban areas and would supply higher-quality fertilizer
for local farms.
|
Solar-Powered
Water Desalination, Mauritius (2003) |
Summary of lessons learned from
a project in Mauritius. This project developed locally-constructed solar water desalination
units and installed them in the remote community of Cite Patate, providing households
with improved access to drinking water.
|
Fuel-Efficient
Smokeless Stoves, Pakistan (2003) |
Lessons learned from a project
in Pakistan that spread the use of smokeless stoves among women in order to reduce
their dependence upon fire-wood and improve health and general living conditions.
|
Improving
Energy Efficiency through Building Materials, Pakistan (2003) |
Lessons learned from a project
in Pakistan. By installing demonstration models and training local entrepreneurs
to produce these products, the project seeks to initiate wide replication of these
products in a self-sustaining manner.
|
Improving
Small Scale Brick Kiln Efficiency, Vietnam (2003) |
Project case study highlighting
lessons learned; this project raised awareness among local brick makers about efficient
kiln technology, and educated local authorities on effects of local pollution.
|
Energy,
the Environment, and Health (2000)
Editors:
John P. Holdren and Kirk R. Smith |
In this chapter
of the World Energy Assessment, the
principal environmental and health impacts
of energy are discussed according to the
scale at which they occur; household, workplace,
community, regional and global.
|
Energy
After Rio: Prospects and Challenges (1997)
Editors: Amulya K. N. Reddy, Robert H. Williams and Thomas B. Johansson |
Section 2.2
of this publication explores the energy-health nexus arising
from improper control of energy production and consumption
leading to adverse impacts on the environment, and ultimately
on human health.
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