Work

Food without fire: Environmental and nutritional impacts from a solar stove field experiment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Over 80% of the population in rural Sub‐Saharan Africa relies on biomass cooking fuel, a substantial source of anthropogenic greenhouse gases. We use a field experiment in Zambia to investigate the impact of solar stoves on biomass fuel use and cooking habits. Participants kept detailed food diaries, recording every ingredient and fuel source used in preparing every dish in every meal every day during the experiment. This produces data on 93,000 ingredients used to prepare 30,000 dishes. Treated households significantly reduce biomass fuel use, cutting emissions by 3–7%, but do not significantly change cooking habits.

Source: American Journal of Agricultural Economics

DOI: 10.1111/ajae.70026

Authors: Laura E. McCann, Jeffrey D. Michler, Maybin Mwangala, Osaretin Olurotimi, Natalia Estrada Carmona

Institutions: University of Arizona, Ministry of Health

Language: English

Topic: Energy and Environment Impacts

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,750