EPA Chief Promotes Green Partnerships in E. Africa
“The head of the US Environmental Protection Agency has been promoting green technology partnerships during a trip to East Africa. One project is aimed at resolving Ethiopia’s most pressing environmental concerns.”
Tedla Woldemichael is an environmental activist working to promote fuel-efficient cooking stoves in mostly rural southern Ethiopia.”
He was in Addis Ababa this week to demonstrate his stoves to visiting US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.”
“If we save fuel, then that is conserving the forest, so this is our idea,” Woldlemichael said while explaining the connection between fuel-efficient cooking and environmental protection. “Now, if you conserve the forest, then we are fighting against climate change.”
Wood and other biomass fuels are scarce in Ethiopia. A century ago, 40 percent of the country was forest. Today it’s less than 4 percent.”