Clean Cooking Crisis: A Billion Africans Breathe Harmful Smoke Daily

Imagine cooking every meal over an open fire, breathing in smoke that damages your lungs and threatens your health. This is the reality for a billion people across Africa, according to a recent report by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The Scope of the Problem

The IEA report paints a stark picture: not only are a billion Africans impacted by this crisis, but a staggering two billion people worldwide still rely on open fires or inefficient stoves fueled by wood, charcoal, agricultural waste, or even manure. These practices release harmful pollutants into homes and communities, contributing to respiratory illnesses and other health problems.

The Human Cost of Cooking Pollution

The impact of this cooking pollution is devastating. Women and children are disproportionately affected, spending hours each day near these smoky fires. This constant exposure increases their risk of developing lung cancer, pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases. Beyond the immediate health consequences, the time spent gathering fuel and tending fires limits opportunities for education and economic advancement.

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