00:06Ursula Dontillo travels around the neighborhood of Bafo Issam on her tricycle as she takes
00:12on a mountain challenge, collecting household and agricultural waste, trying to supply Cameroonians
00:19with eco-friendly charcoal.
00:21Ursula looks to present a better option given that traditional charcoal is responsible for
00:27deforestation and the deaths of millions of women and children around the world every
00:33year.
00:34The statistics speak for themselves, 5 million women and children die every year from inhaling
00:39fumes from the burning of traditional charcoal.
00:42The production of this fuel is responsible for a 4% increase in annual deforestation in
00:47Cameroon.
00:48And all this for what?
00:49To satisfy less than 60% of the demand for charcoal, yet Cameroon ranks third on the list
00:55of countries with the highest biomass potential in sub-Saharan Africa.
01:01Local research estimates that of the 6 million tons of waste produced each year in Cameroon,
01:07only 45% is managed properly.
01:12Imagine where the rest goes, incineration, discharge into waterways, illegal dumping, landfills,
01:18etc.
01:18This increases greenhouse gas emissions.
01:21It is in light of this that Polonia Tech, the company I have the privilege of leading,
01:27decided to launch the Breast Pure Nature eco-friendly charcoal brand.
01:30Breast Pure Nature is a combustible charcoal like traditional charcoal, but it is made from
01:36biodegradable solid household waste and agricultural waste.
01:41The rush towards eco-friendly coal not only preserves health, but also saves money and preserves
01:47what remains of Cameroon's forests.
01:51This agricultural waste or household waste helps preserve the environment compared to
01:56the wood used for household purposes.
01:58When we use or resort to biochar, we are truly helping to protect the environment by reducing
02:04pressure on forest resources.
02:06Because the equivalent of biochar or ecological charcoal that is used helps to preserve forest
02:11resources that would otherwise be exploited as household wood.
02:18But in the big city markets, charcoal still rules.
02:22But women, who are the main clients, are gradually embracing the transition to eco-friendly charcoal.
02:29Given its economic and ecological advantages, experts believe that the government would benefit
02:34from getting truly involved alongside stakeholders in the sector.
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