5 rainforest villages in Cameroon no longer need to cut trees for firewood thanks to Cool Earth’s solar powered initiatives.
Feb 25, 2025 - 85% less trees were cut down in 5 communities in Cameroon, all thanks to solar power.
Charity, Cool Earth, partnered with CCREAD (Centre for Community Regeneration and Development) in Cameroon to install solar power in five remote rainforest villages. The impact? Almost eliminating the use of firewood in the area.
Life in the rainforest means living without basic infrastructure, including electricity. Without alternatives, communities rely on weekly tree-cutting for survival. They use small fires for light, cooking, and warmth.
But once solar power was installed, the impact was immediate. Hilary from CCREAD explains, “ Electricity means the day no longer ends when the sun sets at 6pm. Solar power means families have light to play, study and spend quality time together after dark.”
We’ve recorded that because of solar, families no longer need to chop down trees for firewood and as a result 1,080 trees remain standing strong, keeping the rainforest intact, storing carbon and continuing to help protect our planet from the impacts of climate change.”
Today, solar panels power households, schools, and health centres. A flick of a switch now lights up entire rooms, making firewood almost unnecessary.
And while some tree cutting remains part of rainforest life, communities with solar power have cut their tree use from 21 to just 3 trees per month.
“Imagine how many more trees could remain standing if we could light up every rainforest community.”
To help Cool Earth and CCREAD do just that, donate today at www.coolearth.org
Editors notes
- Cool Earth partners with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities who live in the rainforest and who have historically been the best at shaping and stewarding these ecosystems.
- Protecting the three largest rainforests in the world is the most scalable and cost-effective solution against the climate crisis.
- Founded in 2007, Cool Earth pioneered an unconditional cash transfer model to support Indigenous peoples and local communities against threats to their lands and rights.
- Supported by a board of trustees led by Dr Tony Juniper CBE and including people such as Gillian Burke, as well as ambassadors such as Johan Rockström, Cool Earth is committed to developing rights-based approaches as essential solutions to the climate crisis.
