Mongolia

Fuel-Efficient Stoves Aim To Cut Smog

Andrew Cullen Mar 22, 2010
Smoke pours from coal-fired power plants. (Photo: Andrew Cullen) Smoke pours from coal-fired power plants. (Photo: Andrew Cullen)
Bags of coal briquettes and a sample ger insulation blanket are shown in an Xac Bank product center. (Photo: Andrew Cullen) Bags of coal briquettes and a sample ger insulation blanket are shown in an Xac Bank product center. (Photo: Andrew Cullen)
A family looks over smog-blanketed Ulaanbaatar. The monument offers a bird's eye view of the city. (Photo: Andrew Cullen) A family looks over smog-blanketed Ulaanbaatar. The monument offers a bird's eye view of the city. (Photo: Andrew Cullen)
Hundan takes sawdust briquettes from a wood bin to feed the fire during a visit from Xac Bank officials. (Photo: Andrew Cullen) Hundan takes sawdust briquettes from a wood bin to feed the fire during a visit from Xac Bank officials. (Photo: Andrew Cullen)
A GTZ designed ger stove is insulated with bricks to retain heat longer than normal stoves. (Photo: Andrew Cullen) A GTZ designed ger stove is insulated with bricks to retain heat longer than normal stoves. (Photo: Andrew Cullen)
A haze of smog veils the ger districts that extend out from the city center. (Photo: Andrew Cullen) A haze of smog veils the ger districts that extend out from the city center. (Photo: Andrew Cullen)
The sawdust briquettes, such as the ones promoted by Xac Bank, are easier to light than normal wood. (Photo: Andrew Cullen) The sawdust briquettes, such as the ones promoted by Xac Bank, are easier to light than normal wood. (Photo: Andrew Cullen)
An Xac Bank employee (right) explains the benefits of a fuel efficient stove to potential customers. (Photo: Andrew Cullen) An Xac Bank employee (right) explains the benefits of a fuel efficient stove to potential customers. (Photo: Andrew Cullen)
A cross section of a UNDP designed ger insulation blanket and a model fuel-efficient stove on display. (Photo: Andrew Cullen) A cross section of a UNDP designed ger insulation blanket and a model fuel-efficient stove on display. (Photo: Andrew Cullen)
Men look out at the city from the Zaisan Hill monument. (Photo: Andrew Cullen) Men look out at the city from the Zaisan Hill monument. (Photo: Andrew Cullen)
A man walks through Ulaanbaatar's smog-choked streets on a December evening. (Photo: Andrew Cullen) A man walks through Ulaanbaatar's smog-choked streets on a December evening. (Photo: Andrew Cullen)
prev
next

Mongolia calls itself the land of blue sky, but for seven long months each year, a thick cloud of smog hangs over the capital, Ulaanbaatar.

The coldest capital city in the world, Ulaanbaatar suffers from palpable air pollution during the winter months. The city's power plants are responsible for some of the pollution, but most comes from individual family dwellings.

Seeking to improve the quality of life for the city's approximately 1 million inhabitants, local bankers and development organizations are striving to combat pollution at its main source - suburban family homes.

Andrew Cullen is a freelance journalist based in Hovd, Mongolia.

Related

Mongolia: Harsh Winter Wiping Out Livestock, Stoking Economic Crisis for Nomads
Mongolia: Contortionists Aim for UNESCO Recognition
Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar Wrestles with Dutch Disease Dilemma