Cooking to end fuel poverty
Last updated 21/07/2008 17:56:27
Photo Credits: BP
As global oil prices continue to rise, a study by a UK energy supplier last week revealed the knock-on effects on the domestic energy market.
The report suggested that gas bills could see a rise of up to 60% over the next few years, marking the end of cheap energy and greater pressure on over two-millions UK households who are already burdened by ‘fuel poverty'.
In the UK ‘fuel poverty' is defined by households income spending more than 10% on energy bills, according to a BBC report published last week.
But for more than half of the world's population fuel poverty has a higher social impact affecting the health of millions. In India alone, indoor air pollutions claim nearly 400,000 lives each year from traditional wood-burning stoves which produce a high volume of carbon monoxide (CO) and respiratory suspended particulate matter (RSPM).
Last year World Heath Organisation research showed that the "inefficient burning of solid fuels on open fire or tradition stove ... [created] many other health-damaging chemicals" which resulted close to 5% of death and disease in 21 worst-affected countries.
Susanne Weber-Mosdorf, WHO Assistant Director-General for Sustainable Development and Healthy Environments described the prevention potential as ‘enormous' highlighting that women and children were mostly affected, according to the research.