The use of charcoal, for example for cooking, is one of the causes of deforestation. To eradicate this phenomenon, which is also one of the causes of climate change, the use of clean energies, especially butane gas, is recommended to the population. They have become accustomed to the majority by introducing this ecological practice in their habits. But with the high cost of butane gas, many households are still returning to charcoal today.
In a country where electricity and gas are expensive commodities, many households, like those in other African countries, use charcoal as their primary source of energy for cooking. Others use it as a backup in case of emergency, during power outages, but more and more frequent. Some families who opted for gas eventually returned to charcoal.
Back to the charcoal ...
Saturday, November 11th. It is 18h. In Doumasséssé, a populous district of Lomé, the night is coming. Isabelle Attisso, 30 years old is a cashier in a microfinance agency, has just returned home. Five years ago, she and her husband, owner of a computer hardware store, decided to buy a bottle of gas "to facilitate the preparation of the meal and also fight against pollution of the environment". But tonight, despite the apparent tiredness after "a busy day" Isabelle will use charcoal to prepare. The gas cylinder is empty.
For 4 months, this family has decided to give up the gas to return to coal. The main reason given is the lower price of charcoal compared to gas. "The gas was good. But with the care of our two children and the whole family, it has become a luxury little by little. Now, we use it even more. It's too expensive, "says Isabelle, her eyes full of bitterness.
Like this family, several households have abandoned the use of gas in Lomé. Komlan, 35 years old, father of a family of 4 members is tenant of a room living room in Adidogomé. He teaches at a private college in Nyékonapkoe neighborhood. Conscious, he says, of the danger of using charcoal for the environment, he decided in 2013 to buy a gas cylinder of 6 Kg. But today, he can not recharge regularly. his bottle, for lack of money. "When I bought the bottle, everyone was happy, especially my wife. And I did everything to recharge it regularly. But lately, I can not do it anymore. The budget is tightening and the gas is very expensive. The gas is finished for 6 months but I have not filled the bottle yet. At the moment we use coal, "he said. "I will use it only when I have enough money. This is no longer a priority as it was before, "he adds.
The use of gas is no longer a necessity for Komlan's family. For some people, the gas is even forgotten. "Use gas? It's an old story that I forgot. For several months, I have not used gas anymore. It's really difficult with this price. It is true that coal is not good for the environment but we have no other alternatives ", says for its part Claude Sessi, owner of a general food shop on the Boulevard du 13 Janvier . According to him, three of his friends did the same thing.
The price of gas is problematic
As a pilot country in the policy of implementation of the Odd, Togo should be irreproachable in terms of measures taken for the preservation of the environment. But there. Since December 2015, the prices of petroleum products have undergone several changes. The price of butane gas did not experience the same treatment. The grail was reached on August 11, 2016, when Total, the French oil company, announced a crude price increase for butane gas cylinders. Total justifies this increase by a ministerial decree dated July 28, 2015 in which the Togolese government cancels the subsidy on butane gas prices. Thus, the price of the gas cylinder of 6 Kg is fixed at 4,650 FCFA and that of 12,5 Kg to 9,690 FCFA, an increase which is about 60% compared to previous prices.
But quickly, with the panel that has aroused this announcement on social networks, Total is backing. Subsequently, the Ministry of Commerce dissociated itself from this increase. But one wonders how the price of gas whose use is recommended can be so high? While point 13 in particular Odd asks for "take emergency measures to fight against climate change and its repercussions". Today, the 6 kg gas cylinder costs 3,120 FCFA and 6,500 FCFA for 12kg. "In Togo, gas is too expensive. It is not possible for us poor or Togolese ways to recharge every month. If we lower the price, we can bring out our gas bottles, "says Claude Sessi, a motorcycle taxi driver.
Also, compared to some countries in the sub-region, the price of the butane gas cylinder in Togo is very high. For example, in Côte d'Ivoire the bottle of butane gas of 6 Kg is sold at 2,000 FCFA and that of 12 Kg at 2,855 FCFA. Similarly, in Ghana, where the 12 Kg bottle is sold at 5,000 FCFA and the 6 Kg at 2,500. However, Ghanaians and Ivorians have more purchasing power than the Togolese.
The high price of gas that pushes many families to use charcoal is not without consequences for producers, users, the environment and, by implication, future generations.
Danger for the present and the future ...
With population growth, this dependence on wood resources has inevitably led to increased pressure on forests and their accelerated destruction, along with a deterioration of living conditions, not to mention the health risks posed by these practices. "In communities where the use of firewood is common, wood smoke can be responsible for up to 25% of the particles in the air, 15% of the volatile organic compounds and 10% of the carbon monoxide in the air. atmosphere. Wood smoke can also contain other toxic compounds, such as nitrogen oxides and chlorinated dioxins, "explains Justine Messanh, a state nurse. Thus, even before the charcoal arrives in the capital, it is already causing damage to the health of producers. Energy is the main contributor to climate change, accounting for about 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions. According to United Nations figures, 3 billion people depend on wood, coal or animal waste for cooking and heating. In Togo, with the rapid increase in the urban population, the users of charcoal will undoubtedly grow. In this case, we are going inexorably towards an increase in the production of charcoal, a danger for present and future generations. The use of charcoal is a real problem of sustainable development. 3 billion people depend on wood, coal or animal waste for cooking and heating. In Togo, with the rapid increase in the urban population, the users of charcoal will undoubtedly grow. In this case, we are going inexorably towards an increase in the production of charcoal, a danger for present and future generations. The use of charcoal is a real problem of sustainable development. 3 billion people depend on wood, coal or animal waste for cooking and heating. In Togo, with the rapid increase in the urban population, the users of charcoal will undoubtedly grow. In this case, we are going inexorably towards an increase in the production of charcoal, a danger for present and future generations. The use of charcoal is a real problem of sustainable development.
Indeed, as mentioned above, the use of charcoal is one of the main causes of deforestation and forest degradation. And the disappearance of forests has a direct impact on the environment, hence climate change.
Even though in Togo, projects such as the Redd +, launched in 2016, aim to allow the forest and trees outside the forest to continue playing their socio-economic and ecological role. There is still some way to go, especially if the price of renewable energy remains high.
Other solutions such as improved stoves exist, but they need state support to develop. Which is not the case yet. "We have alternatives to fight the large-scale use of coal in households. With our inventions, the problem can be solved, "according to Florent Tchassé, a young and improved household inventor.
It will be remembered that in the aftermath of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which have come to an end, have been replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals. (Odd). Togo has been chosen as a pilot country to work towards the extension of the Millennium Development Goals. As a result, the country has benefited from financing through projects, notably the project Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (Redd +). Objective 7 aims to ensure access for all to reliable, sustainable and modern energy services at an affordable cost. But the decisions that should accompany these projects are struggling to be made by the Togolese government.
It is clear that the Togolese government must make every effort to enable people to participate meaningfully in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by taking courageous measures. And lowering the price of gas could be part of these measures. This will be in line with the government's commitments in this case, that of reducing by 2% the emission of greenhouse gases taken by Togo during COP21. The use of clean fuels for the preparation of meals and the like could be very important.
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