Carbon Mitigation Verification with BitLumens
Globally, burning kerosene for lighting generates over 240 million tons of carbon dioxide every year, which is nearly 0.5% of the global emissions. Moreover, on a general basis burning 20 kg wood during one day emits about 200 grams of PM2.5, this equals smoking 10,000 cigarettes.
In developing geographies like Latin America, the problem runs deeper as kerosene (paraffin) is widely used as fuel for light and cooking, both of which are important sources of carbon dioxide and black carbon. Especially in rural areas where most families use dim kerosene lamps to light their homes at night. The combustion originated from burning fuel indoors pollutes the air with harmful particles, which can irritate the eyes and lungs, and can also cause accidents. According to different studies 3.5 million premature deaths occur each year are linked to indoor air pollution.
Kerosene is not just dangerous but also ineffective in comparison. Kerosene wick lamps provide 1 to 6 lumens per square meter. LED has higher efficiency — measured in lumens per watts- quality and quantity of lighting when compared to kerosene lamps.
Using renewable sources is not just better for the health and efficiency but with BitLumens’ off grid solar panels, one can accurately measure the impact of reduction in the particulate matter. The hardware (panels) are integrated with sensors using IoT technology which enables every token holder to be able to track the tangible impact of carbon mitigation it has in a household over a period of time. BitLumens also fulfills the requirements based on the clean development mechanism (CDM) under the article 12 in Kyoto’s protocol and earn certified emission reduction (CER) credits.
Along with carbon mitigation verification, it also becomes easy for a third party (eg. Government) to see the positive impact it has on reducing deforestation. We include sensors that measure PM2.5 and allow the verification that wood and kerosene is displaced as lighting source. In addition, we use satellite imagery to capture the reduction of deforestation in the surroundings of the villages where we operate. We use 4-band (RGB and NIR) imagery for visual or analytic use.
As the reliance on kerosene, plastic, wood reduces and gets replaced by renewable sources like solar, it has the potential to transform the health of not just the individual household but also of the environment.
