How people in Senegal are turning an invasive weed into a source of clean energy [ARTICLE]

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Typha, commonly known as cattail, has been destroying rice crops in rural Senegal for over 30 years, but it's now become a source of economic opportunity. The bio-coal made from Typha is a cleaner and safer alternative to firewood making it a popular choice for cooking. This bio-coal is made from an invasive weed that's been ravaging rice fields for over 30 years. Now it's being used to cook, build homes, and create economic opportunities here in Senegal all in a sustainable way. Typha became an international problem after the construction of two dams between Senegal and Mauritania. Now locals are trying on their own and with their bare hands as part of a project led by the French NGO GRET. The bio-coal is made by burning Typha in these outdoor kilns for six hours at a time. Yacine Seye, Typha briquette maker : "That is carbonized Typha. We have carbonized it and obtained the material we needed. There are no ashes, there are no losses. That is what we wanted to achieve and we got it.” Typha briquettes both ignite faster and burn longer than wood. Typha coal, on the other hand, produces much less smoke. Typha can also be mixed with clay to make bricks for construction. Seye: "Before getting this job, women were just at home. We went to the fields one month for a few days and we would do nothing else. Now with the transformation of Typha into bio-coal, we can support our husbands in our homes, educate children, and even cook.” Every month, they turn the equivalent of 13,000 kilograms of Typha into bio-coal. Djibi Ndiagne, Typha cutter and farmer: "On the one hand, it's good because it gives me work so I can feed my family. But on the other hand there are consequences, because Typha is taking over a lot of space. We used to grow rice in this part and now, because of Typha it's impossible.” Cutting Typha is labor-intensive and transportation costs are high. Ernest Dione, Senegal Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development: "Today we are starting to look at Typha differently and to consider it as a resource. In Senegal we are just beginning, but we have proved that we can do a lot with Typha.” Source | Create Website | Criar site | Crear sitio web | Créer un site Web