Perched high above the Chhume valley, at an elevation of 3600m, Tharpaling monastery has long relied on consuming high levels of fuel wood in order to generate heat ? for warming dwellings, cooking, and bathing. Yet burning firewood in rudimentary stoves has poor combustion efficiency and produces high levels of indoor air pollution (e.g. chemicals such as particulates, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide), which can also negatively impact on health. At the same time, local sources of clean water are diminishing in quality and quantity, due to lack of maintenance, deforestation (and the consequent loss of water retention), and contamination by humans and animals. Inadequate disposal of waste and is also a problem, and there is little awareness regarding how residents and the local community can reduce, reuse, or recycle their waste.
Renewable energy technologies, such as newer, fuel-efficient cook stoves and the use of solar energy, can reduce the consumption of firewood and can improve human health and hygiene, provide environmental services, and promote forest conservation. In rural Bhutan, where the majority of the population live, most of the demand for energy is met by firewood. Thus, a small shift from conventional cook stoves to more efficient cook stoves and solar power could save significant amounts of firewood, conserve forests and support carbon sequestration. Complemented by improved protection of water sources and waste management, this demonstration project will address the challenge of climate change through improving technology, education, and community mobilization by involving the monastery, its residents and visitors, as well partners and the surrounding community.