:: Specific Design Brief

Practical Action 5: Sustainable Cooking - further information

PRODUCT DESIGN SRI LANKA - ENERGY SOURCES

Sources of energy in Sri Lanka
Finding a sustainable source of energy, especially for cooking is a major concern for the majority of the population in Sri Lanka. Biomass energy (plant materials, including wood, and animal waste used for fuel) is used by more than 80% of the population. Research suggests that although other forms of energy are slowly becoming available, biomass will remain the main source of energy for the poor.

At the start of the 21st century the average consumption per person in Sri Lanka was about 1.3kgper day, whilst in colder and hilly areas it went up to 2.5 kg. The total national consumption is estimated to be about 10 million tons annually. Although there is a variety of potential sources of biomass (coconut plantations, forest, crop land, processing waste and home gardens), firewood is used a great deal. There are alternatives, kerosene and liquid petroleum gas, but these are often beyond the income of poorer families who can usually find firewood or alternative biomass sources freely available. It is estimated that 10% - 15% of the firewood comes from forests or cotton and tea plantations, home gardens and crops. Packs of firewood are sold in shops and by the roadside. They cost around 50 rupees (about 35p).

Problems with biomass collection
Reliance on biomass creates issues both environmentally and socially. Demand for firewood means a constant search for good sources which means loss of forest with consequent environmental and climate changes.

It is usually Sri Lankan women who take responsibility for the collection of biomass. This takes time and means their ability to do other more productive roles is severely restricted. When there are shortages, the problem becomes more acute. They have to travel longer distances to collect firewood, or they reduce the number of meals cooked, or they use lower quality (e.g. wet) biomass for cooking. Sometimes, they ask school-age children to collect instead, or go into prohibited areas in search of wood. At times of shortage, they are also likely to stop any income-generating activities (e.g. making curd) in order to concentrate on keeping the family properly fed, which means collecting firewood daily.

The process of collecting is in itself sometimes hazardous. There is reduced infant and child care, possibility of snake or insect bites, severe tiredness and allergies from fungi in the forests.

Problems with using firewood as an energy source
It is not just the supply of biomass that creates problems for families, especially women. Using biomass, especially indoors, creates health hazards. Fires are usually located in the kitchen, the heart of family life where children and women spend most of their time. Smoke is a major problem. Since the fires have no hoods, and often the kitchens have poor ventilation, respiratory problems, conjunctivitis, bronchitis, pulmonary diseases and even cancer are potential outcomes.

The fires themselves are also hazardous. They are often at ground level and therefore easily accessible to small children, making burns an obvious problem. Crouching to attend the fires also leads to back problems.
Finally, there is the question of loss of forests. Because demand is so high, and the most common type of fire is an open three-stone fire, there is considerable waste of energy through the difficulty of controlling the heat in an open fire.
 

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