Deforestation in Haiti is a severe environmental problem. In 1923, over 60% of Haiti’s land was forested. By 2006, less than 2% was forested. (i)
Poverty and its effects cause many Haitians to seek income from available natural resources. The sale of charcoal from felled trees is the main source of income for 9% of the rural population and the most popular source of energy for homes. (ii)
The GB Group plans to shift those percentages in both the environment and the country’s benefit.
Not only is charcoal damming to the environment, but also 3 billion people in developing countries are exposed to toxic smoke when preparing meals everyday with this type of energy source. Cooking on traditional stoves & open fires causes 1.9 million premature deaths per year and drastically increases deforestation.
Moreover, acute respiratory infections are the number one cause of death in children under five-years-old, mainly caused by breathing in the smoke while their mother prepares meals. This is equivalent to smoking two packs of cigarettes per day. (iii)
By empowering rural people to find alternative sources of income and working with communities to reforest the mountains, we are changing the underlying causes of deforestation. (iv)
Because Haiti is in need of 30 million trees each year to overcome the devastating effects of deforestation the GB Group through DINASA will plant 1 million trees in the next 6 months thanks to “Plante Lavni – pou un Ayiti tou vet.” Read more here.
Moreover, DINASA is intensely promoting the use liquefied petroleum gas (or commonly referred to as LPG) as a substitute for charcoal. The goal is to increase domestic LPG consumption as an alternate energy source (which is currently only 4%).
LPG or LP Gas is Liquefied Petroleum Gas. LPG is used as a fuel for domestic, industrial, horticultural, agricultural, cooking, heating and drying processes. LPG can also be used as automotive fuel, as a propellant for aerosols as well as to provide lighting through the use of pressure lanterns.
The advantages of LPG include: clean burning characteristics, cost efficient transportation and packaging, reduced exhaust emissions and extended lubricant + spark plug life. Additionally, LPG provides alternatives to fluorocarbons as an alternative to aerosols (which are known to cause deterioration of the earth’s ozone layer). (v)
Help us promote LPG and regain Haiti’s forests. How are you contributing to aid the environment we share? Tell us @GBGroupHAITI.
i. “The Adventure Project.” The Adventure Project. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. .
ii. “World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide.” WFP. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. .
iii. “The Adventure Project.” The Adventure Project. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. .
iv. “World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide.” WFP. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. .
v. “Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).” Uncle Mark’s Alternative Fueling Station. Web. 02 Apr. 2012..
IMAGES:
“Haiti Needs an Economic Identity to Survive.” Search Amelia. 22 Jan. 2010. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. .
“DEFORESTATION WON’T STOP KILLING HAITIANS.” Ekspoze! -The Final Word. 10 Oct. 2010. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. .
