Yale School of Public Health has confirmed that it will be donating funds to three international projects that are aimed at greenhouse gas reduction. The projects in Costa Rica, Uganda and Vietnam are going to receive a total of $15,000 in donations from the institution.
Two workshops were held this month by the Yale Climate Change and Health Initiative (CCHI). The projects were outlined in detail during the event.
According to a post on Yale School of Public Health's official website, the project that garnered the most support was Ugastove. It is an initiative in Uganda that promotes the use of more efficient home cooking stoves. The project is set to receive a $6,774 donation from the institution.
The stoves, which cost only $10, can reduce charcoal use by 36 percent and prevent an estimated 1.4 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The project also provides jobs, reduce fuel costs, save trees (which are used to produce charcoal) and improve health by reducing air pollution in households. Over 500,000 stoves have already been sold.
The Vietnam project is focused on biogas for farmers. It will be receiving $6,290 for funds from Yale School of Public Health. The initiative uses a biodigester, which is a large brick-lined storage container for animal waste.
Instead of methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas, being released into the atmosphere, it will be put to good use by powering stoves, lamps and other appliances in the homes of farmers. The project aims to prevent 480,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year and has already created over 2,700 jobs as well as reduced deforestation, household air pollution and noxious manure odors.
Last but not least, a Wind Power Cooperative in Costa Rica will receive $1,936 in funds. The project includes 15 wind turbines in one of the country's windiest areas. This prevents 15,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually and has helped create local jobs as well as boost tourism in the area.
EurekAlert reported last month that Yale has also spearheaded a new project named the Renewable Thermal Alliance. This is seen as a solution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across the region by addressing the energy demand of residential and commercial buildings in cooling and heating.
