January 1, 2007
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmData Points, January 2007
Stove Soot
Traditional cookstoves, fueled by wood and crop waste, emit smoke containing particles. Depending on their makeup, these particles can absorb or reflect solar energy, thereby heating or cooling the atmosphere. A recent field study in Honduras characterized the smoke released from stoves and measured the amount of global warming–related soot within the emissions. It found that traditional cookstoves may contribute to atmospheric warming more than previously thought.—Alison Snyder
Number of cookstoves in use worldwide every day: 400 million
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Grams of soot emitted per kilogram of firewood based on:
Previous lab estimate: 0.75
Current field estimate: 1.5
Kilograms of firewood burned per stove per day, worldwide: 7.5
Minimum percent of light absorbed by particles that warm the atmosphere: 15
Percent absorbed by Honduran stove smoke: 65
SOURCE: Environmental Science & Technology Briefs, December 1, 2006
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
