According to BioLite, a campfire stove design and production firm, “half the planet cooks on smoky open fires, causing over 4 million premature deaths each year and contributing to climate change.” BioLite has designed the HomeStove to use wood more efficiently, produce less smoke, and eliminate black carbon emissions. Added benefits include producing electricity for use in charging flashlights and batteries. In underdeveloped regions, campfires are the most important method of food preparation, and collecting firewood consumes time that could be used more efficiently. Details regarding specific improvements to existing technologies are shown below:
By utilizing firewood more efficiently, the HomeStove has the potential to improve the entire lives of citizens in underdeveloped regions. BioLite has announced that revenues from the sales of CampStove, their recreational camping product, will be used to aid BioLite in deploying HomeStove in large-scale pilot programs in India, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda. BioLite is an excellent example of technologically advanced firms using existing strengths and advantages to spur social innovation and attempt to improve the lives of citizens and underdeveloped regions. This firm has identified a social problem that requires innovative design, and has applied their skills and abilities to improve lives. Below are the improvements provided by the HomeStove when compared to existing similar methods of food preparation.
Sources:
http://www.biolitestove.com/homestove/overview/
http://www.biolitestove.com/news-press/news-events/news/jonathan-cedar-announced-as-sir.html
Design and Policy 