This is part two in a series of three stories that look at forests, trees and how they are used in East Africa.

As Kenya and other countries look to energy alternatives for cooking and heating, growing demand for charcoal is putting more pressure on already shrinking forests.

Photo by Daniel Tiveau/CIFOR

Charcoal, a high-carbon form of energy made from wood, is a fact of life in Kenya, as in many parts of the world where energy sources from natural gas to solar electricity are too expensive for most.

While charcoal provides a readily available and inexpensive source of energy for cooking and heating, it often comes at an environmental cost in the form of deforestation.

Charcoal is made and used in many parts of the world, including countries with large tropical forests like the Democratic Republic of Congo and those with smaller forested areas like Kenya.

A typical journey from tree to charcoal used in kitchens in Africa’s fast-growing cities involves felling lumber, converting it into charcoal in a process that can last several days, transporting it by boat, truck or by foot to as far as away as the Middle East along ancient trade routes.

In Kenya alone, the charcoal industry is worth 32 billion shillings ($315 million), employs half a million people and provides essential fuel for 82 percent of urban households, according to estimates by World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) researchers.

Source: FAOSTAT (http://www.fao.org/faostat)

The East African country of 50 million has imposed logging restrictions to halt deforestation and protect trees that provide ecosystem services that include healthy watershed. Despite the ban, people continue to make and burn charcoal in increasing numbers, helping to drive up the price up by 75% in recent years, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.

Unfortunately, charcoal may be cheap to purchase but it’s also dangerous for health.

Changes in policy will also change lives for people like Mwaura Chege.

The 63-year old charcoal maker makes his living from making charcoal in Kenya’s remaining forested area.

It will also affect people like Beatrice Oguttu, a resident of Nairobi’s who uses the fuel to cook staples for her family.

For these and many others, including the traders dodging police check points, sellers and transporters, many have a stake in charcoal and the livelihoods it provides.