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August 14, 2005
Earth Energy Refrigeration
By: Rowan Wolf
A couple of weeks ago I watched a News World International (thanks Gore for killing the best international news on cable) report on a man who had invented a "refrigerator" in use in Africa. The man is Mohammed Bah Abba. He is a Nigerian inventor who tackled the problem of poverty, lack of electricity, and food loss by inventing a food storage system called the zeer pot. Mr. Abba received the Rolex Laureate for his invention.
The zeer pot is a two terracotta pots placed inside each other with sand in the outer pot which is kept moist. The pots are placed in the ground and covered. The inner pot remains roughly 20 degrees cooler than the outside temperature. The process works through evaporation and provides a very inexpensive, low-tech solution to food loss through spoilage. The "refrigerator" costs about $2 (in Nigeria) for the pots.
This invention increases the food security of families, by saving a scarce commodity - food. It also offers ideas and possibilities for a world that will soon face an energy crisis which may well effect the availability of electricity.
"Simple" ideas can make a world of difference.
Posted by Rowan at August 14, 2005 8:47 AM Category: Alternatives