POTSDAM -- A Clarkson University scientist plans to visit Nairobi, Kenya to discuss clean and safe cook stoves.

Professor Philip Hopke, director of Clarkson’s Institute for a Sustainable Environment, has expertise on wood stove technology, and has tackled wood stove issues on an international level.

His trip includes this month's meeting of the International Standards Organization (ISO) Committee TC285 on clean cook stoves and clean cooking solutions in Nairobi, where the focus will be on establishing international standards for safe, efficient cook stoves.

“The key is to get a set of practical, useful protocols for testing stoves. We have had many disasters because stoves haven't been tested before they were deployed,” Hopke says. “A lot of people think they know how to make a wood stove, but as we try to scale up stove production to actually make an impact, we must be sure the stoves do what we want them to do.”

It's critical to build a global industry over the next 10 years that can create and distribute 125 million to 150 million stoves a year to serve the global need, he said.

“About three billion people around the world cook meals every day on solid fuel such as wood, dung, or whatever they can find,” he adds. “They need to be able to heat food and water adequately, and to stay warm. We must make stoves more efficient and less pollution-emitting. By improving stove technology, we can help build an economy in developing countries, reduce indoor air pollution, and improve health all at the same time. It also has climate benefits by reducing black carbon, methane and carbon monoxide emissions.”