The use of firewood for cooking and heating by rural residents has become a traditional Xi, but in recent years, some professors, experts and public intellectuals have claimed that this practice is illegal and illegal, and accordingly put forward the view that rural residents are strictly prohibited from using firewood for heating. They pointed out that harmful substances such as soot, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide produced by firewood burning seriously pollute the atmosphere and pose a threat to human health. However, the traditional use of firewood for cooking and heating in rural areas has a long history, so why didn't people in the past realize the health and environmental impact of using firewood?This article will analyze this from a scientific point of view.
In fact, carbon dioxide gas is indispensable in nature, and plants need carbon dioxide to synthesize nutrients for photosynthesis. At the same time, the breathing of humans and other animals also produces carbon dioxide, but it cannot meet the amount required by plants. It is through the use of firewood cooking that people can produce enough carbon dioxide for plants to photosynthesize, which in turn allows plants to grow luxuriantly and create a green natural environment. Of course, firewood burning also produces soot, most of which is activated carbon dust, which settles in the atmosphere to the foliage and soil surface of plants to provide nutrients for plants. Although smoke and dust will have a certain impact on human health, they are not toxic and harmful, and can only cause some respiratory discomfort, and will not pose a serious threat to the health of humans and animals. Therefore, we can say that soot has a certain effect on human health, but it does not harm health.
However, the dangers of air pollution and health caused by firewood cooking in rural areas, which have been highlighted by professors, experts and public intellectuals at Peking University, are considered exaggerated. In contrast, why don't they focus on the impact of carbon dioxide emissions from human breathing on the atmosphere?And why not conduct in-depth research on the harm caused by automobile exhaust and urban industrial exhaust emissions to air pollution and human health?At present, the number of people who use firewood for cooking in rural areas has gradually decreased, and with the increase of farmers' economic income, people are more and more inclined to use clean energy, which is a positive development trend. To be clear, most of the rural residents who currently use firewood for cooking are financially disadvantaged families who are forced to use firewood to save living expenses and reduce economic pressure. Therefore, we should treat these underprivileged groups well and not dislike them in generalities, after all, they are also citizens and our food and clothing.
In addition to meeting basic living needs, rural people use firewood for cooking and heating, which also has important environmental significance. As a traditional fuel**, firewood has the following advantages:
1.Natural renewable: The main source of firewood is biomass resources such as trees and crop straw in the countryside, which are naturally renewable and will not cause the problem of resource depletion. In contrast, fossil fuels such as coal and oil are not only difficult to extract, but also have a greater impact on the environment.
2.Low-carbon and environmentally friendly: The carbon dioxide produced by firewood burning is needed by nature and will not cause excessive burden on the earth's atmosphere. At the same time, firewood cooking produces lower carbon dioxide emissions than the use of other energy sources, which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and has certain positive significance for curbing climate change.
3.Community Mutual Aid: In rural communities, neighbors often help each other, and people can travel together in the process of collecting firewood, promoting community cohesion and mutual help.
4.Economically viable: Firewood is a more economical fuel option than clean energy sources such as gas and electricity. For families in rural areas with economic difficulties, the use of firewood for cooking and heating is an effective way to reduce the cost of living and reduce the economic burden.
Based on the above reasons, although there is a certain amount of smoke and dust emission and carbon dioxide release from firewood combustion, firewood cooking and heating in rural areas still have certain environmental significance and rationality. Therefore, when formulating relevant policies, the special situation of rural areas should be fully taken into account, better clean energy alternatives should be provided for rural residents, and their environmental, economic and social benefits should be comprehensively evaluated.
Looking back on the topic of cooking and heating with firewood in the countryside, I can't help but have some personal thoughts. As an important energy source for rural life, firewood not only solves the basic living needs of rural residents, but also brings some environmental and health problems. Although firewood burning produces harmful substances such as soot and carbon dioxide, in the current situation, we need to consider the economic, social and environmental factors of rural residents, and we cannot simply blame them for not meeting environmental requirements.
As a traditional fuel**, firewood can be said to be one of the inventions of human beings in food heating and heating. It has a long history of application and provides rural residents with a cheap energy option. However, with the advancement of science and technology and the development of the economy, modern society has more clean energy alternatives, such as natural gas, electricity, etc. Therefore, while promoting rural clean energy substitution, we also need to take into account the economic capabilities and living Xi of rural residents, and provide feasible solutions suitable for them.
On the other hand, we cannot ignore the environmental and health impacts of firewood burning. Although the direct harm of emissions such as soot and carbon dioxide may be relatively limited to human health, if firewood is used on a large scale, it may have some negative effects on the environment and air quality. Therefore, we should encourage rural residents to use cleaner and more environmentally friendly energy, and promote technological innovation and policy support to solve rural energy problems in a more sustainable way.
Overall, firewood cooking and heating in rural areas is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive consideration of various factors. We should not simply characterize it as illegal or environmentally harmful, but should actively explore solutions that meet the basic living needs of rural residents and meet environmental requirements. At the same time, social organizations and individuals also need to work together to promote the popularization and application of clean energy and provide better living conditions for rural residents. Only in the balance between environmental protection and development can we achieve true sustainable development.