Over half the people on earth (3 billion people) rely on fire wood directly for essentially all their daily energy needs such as cooking and heating. Though burning wood is sustainable in small quantities within a sustainable relationship with the ecosystem, burning in too much quantity degrades the land. Moreover, with the increase in the price of fossil fuel, more and more people will turn to fire wood for energy, causing further pressure on our trees and ecosystems precisely when we need our trees and ecosystems to heal the damage caused by fossil fuel burning.

Also, for the over 3 billion people that rely on fire wood for cooking, often this done indoors and the smoke causes serious health problems for the (usually) women that keep the hearth as well as accompanying children. In some places plastic and tires are also burned for cooking which causes even more diseases.

However, when 1 kg of wood is turned into 400 grams of charcoal, 50 % or more energy is extracted from the 400 grams of charcoal than if we burn the 1 kg of wood in the average fire [1].

I am currently writing a book detailing a society based on solar concentration. The Solar Concentration, or Solar Fire Society.

Since it may take some time to complete, in the mean time interested parties may read my first outline and summary, The Solar Fire Economy, click here or on the icon below to download the PDF.

The current working draft has a radically different organization and content than the above outline and summary but the basic spirit is the same.

Feel free to enjoy and comment below.

Author: Eerik Wissenz email: eerik@solarfire.org>br/> Solar Fire Vision in PDF Potential of Solar Concentration The most important part of the energy mix of the future will be solar concentration. Over 50 % of the world’s energy use is thermal, to cook, heat and transform materials such as roasting beans and ceramic.If we consider real needs, than thermal energy may be closer to a 100% of the non-food energy we require. But, by the wayside, with steam and sterling engines, and high (...)

For the MSP to be developed in the optimum way and in the interests of all it’s participants, a diffusion of Micro Solar Concentration technology seems indispensable. The long term benefits of the Mediterranean Solar Plan (MSP) are clear and indisputable for all the countries of the Union for the Mediterranean. As the plan exists currently, the countries concerned are Souther Europe, North Africa, and a part of Middle East, as well as the Sahara and Sahel zones, of which the bordering (...)

By developing the concepts and technologies of Local Solar Thermal a more complete and feasible vision of global energy can be created. Local Solar Thermal refers to uses of solar energy on a domestic or village scale. Such devices can be built and maintained locally and operated by hand. The basic applications include cooking, heating, baking (food, pottery), and roasting and drying produce. With a bit of development, solar and wood or gas hybrids can bake ceramics, make mortar and (...)

‘Solar Fire’ is the result of concentrating sunlight at such levels that the resulting ‘hotspot’ can, with some innovation, be used as if it were a fire. This document will explore different levels of benefits from widespread substitution of biomass fires by solar fires. Locally In some countries people have been known to move to towns specifically because there are wood resources nearby. This is because the task of acquiring fuel for cooking is a constant burden which families are keen to (...)

The only realistic alternative to fossil fuels and biomass on a global scale is a massive use of solar energy, notably local solar concentration. Total Energy Potential of Solar The world faces three energy crises today. The first crisis is that the exploitation of fossil fuels and biomass for energy do significant damage to the environment at almost all stages of production and use, and that most people in the world depend on fossil fuels either entirely or in some way. The second crisis (...)

You are leaving for another corner of the world ? To magnificent countries where the beauty is fragile ? Reading this site you come to understand the principles of low-tech solar concentration, and you slide a few designs into your bag. If you travel, why not pack a construction guide and spread some solar fire! If you talk about the energy crisis people will listen. You’ll make interesting friends ... One has a saw, another has welding machine, still another a drill, steel you can find (...)

In 2050, there may be 9 billion human beings on earth... There is a lot of work to be done, there is a lot of imagination need so that our children and their children can grow up in a none-polluted world ! Here is a message from Simon, a young writer already motivated by solar energy ... His drawing says: "Solar Fire it’s the sustainable development and it’s a new site at point org and natural." Jackie, he beat Eerik at chess (who represented the university of Ottawa in the Canadian chess (...)