Himalayan Stove Project Explains the Unsuspected Household Cause of 4 Million+ Deaths per Year

New, Two-Minute Video Unveils One of the World's Biggest, Least-Known Killers

News provided by

Oct 08, 2014, 08:35 ET

TAOS, N.M., Oct. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Every day, 42 percent of the world faces a silent, little-known killer, responsible for more than 4 million premature deaths globally. With each meal, 3 billion people expose themselves to a threat more deadly than malaria, HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis—combined—while contributing to massive deforestation and global warming.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141007/150815
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141007/150816

Himalayan Stove Project logo (PRNewsFoto/Himalayan Stove Project)

Before and After (PRNewsFoto/Himalayan Stove Project)

The unlikely culprit: primitive household stoves. These rudimentary, indoor fires cause Household Air Pollution (HAP) that contaminates the atmosphere and the lungs of the families gathered around it.

In a new, two-minute video synopsis, the Himalayan Stove Project (HSP) explains how it combats the global threat by distributing free, clean-burning cook stoves to the people of the High Himalayas—a region that represents an internationally prized natural treasure as well as an environmentally crucial cryosphere. Pollution from open fires in this region speeds up snowmelt, and thus climate change worldwide.

"We are profoundly grateful for the help of the numerous renowned filmmakers and still photographers who generously donated images for this video, and for the fine work of Videographer/Editor Wendy Shuey," says HSP Founder and "Chief Cook" George Basch. "Due to their generosity, thousands have already learned about this dire dilemma in the few days since the video launched. We hope our message continues to spread: Donating a small sum for a clean cook stove can save lives and help slow global warming."

HSP has donated more than 3,000 cook stoves to the people of the High Himalayas, and is working toward the region's estimated need for more than 1,000,000 clean stoves.

Watch the full video synopsis of the effort here. For more information about or to donate to the Himalayan Stove Project, located at 1335 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, #305, Taos, NM, 87571, visit www.himalayanstoveproject.org/transforming-lives or www.facebook.com/himalayanstoveproject, or call George "Chief Cook" Basch at 505.363.8863. Donations can also be made by texting "stove" to 50155. For media interested in high-resolution images and video, further information or scheduling an audio, Skype or FaceTime interview with George "Chief Cook" Basch, contact Stacey McAllister Horizon Communications (805.773.1000; Email).

VIDEO CREDITS: Filmed and edited by Wendy Shuey; Music by Jonathan Haidle & Johnny Ripper; Acquisition footage and stills courtesy of Andrea Heckman, Tad Fettig, Ken O'Neil, Michael Brown, Serac Adventure Films, Outside Magazine, Envirofit, Basch Photography.