Sociology Essay: The Impact of Clean Cookstoves on Women and Society

This sociology essay examines the growing reliance on natural resources for cooking, particularly in developing countries, and its detrimental effects on social, economic, and environmental development. It highlights the role of unsustainable practices like using charcoal and firewood, which contribute to climate change and resource depletion, impacting food security and increasing risks like floods and desertification. The essay proposes clean cookstoves as an effective solution, emphasizing women's involvement in their production and sale as a means of empowerment, providing them with income-generating opportunities and reducing their vulnerability to personal attacks. The essay references studies by Mortimer & Balmes (2018) and Amegah & Jaakkola (2016) to support arguments about women's roles, income generation, and the environmental benefits of clean cookstoves, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality, ultimately benefiting women and children's well-being. The essay also cites the US Agency for International Development (2019) report to emphasize the cost-effectiveness of clean cookstoves in reducing black carbon and promoting sustainable energy.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Sociology
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

1SOCIOLOGY
Globally, the dependence on natural resource for cooking meals traditionally is growing
in developed countries. Natural resources like charcoal and firewood are common natural
resources that are collected for the purpose of cooking and which are a cause behind climate
change. Hence, this issue is affect social, economic and environmental development of
countries.One of the effective approaches is to promote usage of clean cook stove by involving
women in producing and selling such products. This will also play a role in women
empowerment as they will get the opportunity to utilize their leisure time in productive work and
earn money for daily living (Mortimer & Balmes, 2018).
Charcoal is a common fuel required for cooking and it depletes the ecosystem and natural
resources. The unsustainable energy resource is a reason behind increase in food security and
agricultural issues because of increase in events like floods, landslides and desertification.
According to a report, the argument raised by the paper is that collection of firewood
exposes women to personal attack and minimizes their opportunity to work in other economic
pursuits that give them extra income as well as satisfaction. Hence, with loss of opportunity for
generating income, it is very likely that women may become a part of the vicious cycle of
poverty (Amegah & Jaakkola, 2016). Hence, participation of male is necessary in this area so
that women gets the opportunity engage in other useful activities such as education and income
generation which would ultimately influence well-being of family members too.
Some innovative options, that women have instead of fuel collection is taking part in
education and other constructive and creative opportunities. The savings from clean cook stoves
can also help in starting small business in the long run.

2SOCIOLOGY
While traditional cooking practices contribute to climate change, clean cook stoves play a
role in reducing global warming. The US Agency for International Development (2019) report
indicates highest level of black carbon reduction per unit cost is achieved through clean cook
stoves. The study also gave the evidence that it is an effective solution to effective green house
abatement benefits. It ensures affordable and sustainable energy provisions and plays a role in
reduction the amount of smokes present in the air too. Hence, as less concentration of air is
polluted. it plays a role in facilitating well-being of women and children too.

3SOCIOLOGY
References:
Amegah, A. K., & Jaakkola, J. J. (2016). Household air pollution and the sustainable
development goals. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 94(3), 215.
Mortimer, K., & Balmes, J. R. (2018). Cookstove trials and tribulations: what is needed to
decrease the burden of household air pollution?. Annals of the American Thoracic
Society, 15(5), 539-541.
US Agency for International Development (2019). PROMOTING AFFORDABLE, EFFICIENT
COOKSTOVES. Retrieved from: https://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/economic-growth-
and-trade/promoting-affordable-efficient-cookstoves