Keeling Curve

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1.1 Project overview
In response to the Tanzanian government's initiative to promote clean cooking, EDUMATA proposes a project to introduce and support the adoption of clean cooking technologies in the lake zones. This initiative aims to enhance public health, reduce environmental degradation, and improve the quality of life for communities in these regions.
Elimu Dunia na Mazingira Tanzania (EDUMATA), also known as Global Education and Environmental Management in Tanzania (GEEMT), is committed to advancing the technological, economic, social, and environmental development of Tanzanian communities. Our mission is to achieve this through equitable access to health, education on technology, economic growth, social ethics, cultural behaviors, and environmental conservation, in collaboration with the government and other stakeholders. The project will involve extensive community engagement, leveraging local leaders, health workers, and educators to advocate for clean cooking technologies and educate the public on their benefits, training local artisans to manufacture and maintain cook-stoves. But most importantly Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) will be integral to the project's success.
To successfully implement the Clean Cooking Campaign, EDUMATA will collaborate with various government bodies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have a stake in promoting clean energy, environmental sustainability, and public health. These partnerships will provide essential support, resources, and expertise.
1.2 TARGET AUDIENCE
 Although the problem affects the entire country, this proposal focuses initially on the lake zone regions, that is, Mwanza, Geita, Kagera, Shinyanga, Simiyu and Mara, around Lake Victoria, due to the high population density and acute impacts in these areas. However, it is essential to acknowledge that these challenges are prevalent across all regions of Tanzania.
1.3 WHY LAKE ZONE
Reasons for Choosing the Lake Zones (Mwanza, Geita, Kagera, Shinyanga, Simiyu, and Mara) for the Project;
Proximity to Lake Victoria 
The Lake Zones are located around Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa. This unique geographical feature influences the region’s economy, environment, and lifestyle. Hence, regions surrounding Lake Victoria face significant environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. The introduction of clean cooking technologies can help mitigate these issues by reducing reliance on biomass fuels, which contribute to deforestation and environmental degradation.
High Population Density and Urbanization
Mwanza, in particular, is one among the most densely populated regions in Tanzania. The high population density increases the demand for cooking fuel, leading to significant indoor air pollution and health issues. Therefore, rapid urbanization in Mwanza and other Lake Zone towns creates a pressing need for sustainable energy solutions. Clean cooking technologies will provide a scalable solution to meet the energy demands of these growing urban populations.

Climate and Environmental Conditions
The Lake Zones receive more rainfall compared to many other parts of Tanzania, resulting in lush vegetation. However, deforestation for cooking fuel poses a significant threat to these ecosystems. Clean cooking technologies will help preserve these critical environmental resources. Reducing the demand for these fuels will help mitigate these environmental issues.

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Health impacts from traditional cooking methods are profound. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), household air pollution from solid fuels is a leading risk factor for respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer, particularly affecting women and children who are most exposed to indoor cooking smoke (WHO, 2018). In Tanzania, the health burden of indoor air pollution is significant, contributing to thousands of premature deaths annually.
Environmental degradation is another critical concern. The extensive use of firewood and charcoal leads to deforestation and land degradation, exacerbating the effects of climate change. The Tanzanian government has acknowledged these issues and is committed to promoting sustainable energy solutions. The National Energy Policy of 2015 emphasizes the need to reduce dependency on biomass by encouraging the adoption of alternative, cleaner energy sources (Ministry of Energy and Minerals, 2015).
Economic Impact: The economic cost of health impacts from household air pollution, including premature deaths, is estimated to be over US$5 trillion globally. (WHO, 2018)
Gender Disparities: Women and girls are disproportionately affected by household air pollution, as they are often responsible for cooking and spend more time near the hearth. (UN Women, 2016)
Climate Impact: The use of traditional biomass for cooking contributes to an estimated 17% of Tanzania's total greenhouse gas emissions. (NDC, 2020).
Women's Time Poverty: Women in Tanzania spend an average of 5 hours per day collecting firewood, limiting their ability to engage in income-generating activities and education. (World Bank, 2017)
Productivity Loss: In Tanzania, the use of traditional cooking methods is estimated to result in a loss of 2.5 million productive days annually due to illness caused by indoor air pollution. (NDC, 2020).

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