Review of Links for Using Solar for Emergencies

Over the life of this blog we have posted a lot of information about using solar energy products for emergency preparedness and emergency disaster recovery. Little is published about this topic on solar energy sites and especially preparedness sites. Much is written about solar energy and preparedness, but few in these two industries have a complete grasp on the tremendous benefits that lie within their reach. Sure, solar helps the environment and habitat, but how can it help people? What are the "fringe" solar products that we hear little about that can be very helpful day-to-day, and actually vital for survivors in disasters such as the recent tsunami?

Here are a few links that will aid you in a better understanding of how solar will be more important to us before, and after, a personal, family, local or regional emergency or disaster:

Lighting is important to help us deal with the aftermath: "Safer Lighting"

Find out how solar cookers can be invaluable: "Safer Cooking"

Making water safe to drink, even ocean water! "Safer Water"

What about keeping food and medicines cold? "Solar Heating, Cooling and Refrigeration"

Backup power for more than lighting: "Safer Backup Power"

15 articles and publications on the Florida Solar Energy Center site about "PV for Disaster Relief" (scroll down the page for the list).

Don't have time? Here's a review article: "Live Safer"

Some "Benefits of Solar Cooking"

A quick review of "Solar Cooking in Emergencies"

Free ebook (when published) to those who sign up for "Sun Notes" newsletter.

There is a lot more to be said about the subject of using solar for emergencies. I hope you review the archives of this blog because "only if we prepare in advance, can solar be an effective aid before, during and after an emergency or disaster".

Have a good day my friend. Michael

Sun Ovens International Sending Ovens to Tsunami Area

This is a repeat of a post from yesterday.

Recently Paul Munsen, the director of Sun Ovens International let me know about efforts he is taking to get Global Sun Ovens to countries affected by the tsunami:

"We are currently working on a shipment of 20 GLOBAL SUN OVENS to be sent to Jakarta, Indonesia. The ovens will be flown from the U.S. on January 19 by the organization Operation USA. They will be sending a 747 out of LAX and will provide transportation to Indonesia for 20 ovens.If you would like to read about the flight please visit: http://www.opusa.org/index.html

The cost of each oven with two pots and a water pasteurization indicator and shipping to Los Angles is $185. (Note: There is no profit made by SOI - Mike) Any help that you could give to this effort will be greatly appreciated.

Warmly yours,
Paul M. Munsen
SUN OVENS International, Inc.
39W835 Midan Drive
Elburn, IL 60119
Web site: http://www.sunoven.com"

As announced earlier, we would like to help Paul with his efforts. Those of our readers in the Las Vegas area can stop by the store to make your contribution. We will see that ALL contributions get to their intended destination. If you would like a receipt from Sun Ovens International that qualifies as a charitable contribution, we will see that you get one. Those of you not in the Vegas area, or those wishing to donate directly, please contact Sun Ovens International through their web site (above). Thank you!

Sun Ovens International Announce Plans to Send Ovens to Tsunami Area

Recently Paul Munsen, the director of Sun Ovens International let me know about efforts he is taking to get Global Sun Ovens to countries affected by the tsunami:

"We are currently working on a shipment of 20 GLOBAL SUN OVENS to be sent to Jakarta, Indonesia. The ovens will be flown from the U.S. on January 19 by the organization Operation USA. They will be sending a 747 out of LAX and will provide transportation to Indonesia for 20 ovens.

If you would like to read about the flight please visit: http://www.opusa.org/index.html.

The cost of each oven with two pots and a water pasteurization indicator and shipping to Los Angles is $185. (Note: There is no profit made by SOI - Mike) Any help that you could give to this effort will be greatly appreciated.

Warmly yours,
Paul M. Munsen
SUN OVENS International, Inc.
39W835 Midan DriveElburn, IL 60119
Web site: www.sunoven.com "

As announced earlier, we would like to help Paul with his efforts. Those of our readers in the Las Vegas area can stop by the store to make your contribution. We will see that ALL contributions get to their intended destination. If you would like a receipt from Sun Ovens International that qualifies as a charitable contribution, we will see that you get one. Those of you not in the Vegas area please contact Sun Ovens International directly through their web site (above).

Another Perspective on Solar Cookers and Tsunami Victims

I received a note from Ramon at Solar Cookers International that I asked if I could pass on to you. Here's Ramon's opinion:

"The people who work in disaster relief face enormous tasks that must be acted on ASAP. Teaching solar cooking and pasteurization skills is not an ASAP kind of activity--it takes preparation and follow-through. Moreover, trying to push solar cooking onto those agencies now, when they have their hands full with imm

ediate catastrophic disaster, seems to me to be the wrong time. I don't mind lobbying the agencies at other times and all year long, but right now I feel it best to get out of their way and let them do what they do best. Using conventional fuel for disaster relief strikes me as one of the better things to use conventional fuel for.

Also, I have contacts among solar cooking promoters in Sri Lanka--they, too, are putting solar cooking activities on the back burner compared to disaster survival activities. When they sent me their wish list, the supplies they needed were things like bandages, medicine and emergency shelter materials--not cooker materials. I am influenced by their lead.

Thanks to Ramon for this insight. An effort by Sun Ovens International to get Sun Ovens to the tsunami victims will be announced in our next post. Thanks, Mike

Comments from Solar Cookers International on Tsunami and Solar Cooking

Here is some information I received from Solar Cookers International on aspects of getting solar cookers to the victims of the recent tsunami. The first general response is from the Executive Director:

"First, to our colleagues in the tsunami areas we send heartfelt condolences for the terrible destruction and hopes that you are not sorely affected.

We surely all wish that solar cookers were widely available for safe water and cooking in those areas. SCI has received numerous inquiries whether SCI is working in any of the disaster areas. Regrettably, no. Disaster relief is part of SCI's Strategic Plan by the Year 2010. However in the shorter term our prime focus is working toward spreading awareness and access for the billion people already urgently needing them to cook meals and pasteurize water.

In coming years, as solar cookers and WAPIs are more widely known, produced, marketed and used they surely must become part of disaster relief agencies’ response capabilities too. Cookits, WAPIs and Frank Husson’s new Aquapaks with built-in WAPIs could all be airdropped. In 1994, the Rwanda crisis accelerated SCI’s first field tests in Kakuma that led to new support and three multi-year refugee camp projects.

This disaster reminds us of solar cookers' enormous potential to relieve human suffering if we can spread this simple, affordable tool. Together we are hastening that day.

Other news in brief:
* A dozen U.S. solar cookers agencies leaders will meet by telephone Saturday, Jan. 15th, following their first meeting in October, 2004.
* From 22-25 February, Asian and African key solar cooker leaders will meet for 4 days in Nairobi to review recent progress, explore joint advocacy and plan the next international conference on Solar Cookers Use, Technology and Dissemination in 2006. Details in March. Good Works International has funded this meeting.
* The SCI Board meetings for 2005 are Saturday, 29th January, 9am PST, 8-10 April, 30 July, and 7-9 October. Meetings are open to all interested people.

On behalf of all who could benefit from solar cookers, thanks and congratulations for with work each of you does - singly and together, and all best wishes for an exciting 2005."

I thought this would be of interest to you. In a later post I will publish a quote from Paul Munson, Director of Sun Ovens International about efforts to place Sun Ovens in the disaster area.

Mike