Since the time of Genghis Khan, Mongolians have been conscious about their environment. In the 13th century, a man could be put to death for littering or lighting a forest fire. (1)
This may seem a bit harsh, but environmental order is of utmost importance to this country, where a slight change in the environment can destroy entire ecosystems.
Today, Mongolians have become increasingly concerned about global warming. Because of the extreme conditions of the Mongolian terrain, population health is directly tied to environmental health. The destruction of pastures from overgrazing, acid rain and even changes in the local weather severely undercuts Mongolia’s ability to produce meat and fabrics. Due to this crisis, many of the rural nomads who once migrated from season to season, trying to find pasture to feed their livestock, have moved to the city.
The main problem with the urbanization trend is that the traditional huts, or yurts (called ger in their language), are badly insulated and are not connected to any power supply lines. The method of heating used in these households is by means of a coal-powered stove in the center of the hut. The exhaust from the stove exits out a pipe that sticks out of the top of the ger. According to the Mongolian Ministry of Nature and Environment, 90% of the pollution during the winter is caused by ger stoves. (2)
Also, the cost of fuel creates a heavy financial burden for ger dwelling families. The average poor family spends about 5 tons of coal a year to get through the winter. (3)
Mongolia is combating this pollution epidemic through a government-funded project that subsidizes the distribution of solar powered ger homes for the electrical appliances of rural nomads. A Photovoltaic Solar Cell converts the ample Mongolian sunlight, which averages at 3,000 hours per year and 5.5-6.0 kWh/ m2 per day, into electricity through semiconductors. In 2008, 40,400 of these homes were distributed. (4)
References:
1. Tortell, Phillip; Borjigdkhan, Adiysuren Ts.; Naidansuen, Erdenesaikhan.
Institutional Structures for Environmental Management in Mongolia. Report.
Strengthening Environmental Structures in Mongolia (Project: MON/07/104).
Ulaanbaatar and Wellington, August 2008
2. Delgertogt, D. Air Quality Management and Environmentally Sustainable
Transport. 3rd Meeting of EST Forum in Asia. Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel,
Singapore. March 17-19, 2008. United Nations Centre for Regional Development.
Web. Nov 8, 2009.
http://www.uncrd.or.jp/env/3rd-regional-est-forum/doc/09_Mongolia.pdf
3. Pool, Frank; Lodon, Erdendalai. Commercialization of Super-Insulated Buildings
in Mongolia: Final Independent Evaluation Report. Commercialization of Super-
Insulated Buildings in Mongolia (Project: MON/99/G35). February 2007
4. Bumtsetseg. Policy of the Government of Mongolia on Renewable Energy and
its Implementation. Energy Authority, Mongolia. July 1, 2009, Ulaanbaatar.
Korean Energy Economics Institute: Center for Energy Research, Northeast Asia.
Web. Nov 8, 2009.
neae.keei.re.kr/download/seminar090630/1-1.ppt
Picture: Enebish, Namjil. "100,000 Solar Ger": A National Program. East and Central
Sub-regional Training and Planning Workshop. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
April 13-15, 2005. Asian Development Bank.
www.adb.org/Documents/Events/2005/ECA-Training/presentation-02-100000.pdf
