Burn Right Campaign:
Better Health, Better Climate

As the seasons change and the weather turns cold in the northern hemisphere, millions of homes in Europe, Asia and North America turn to fireplaces and wood stoves for warmth.

But these bright cozy fires often have a dark side, hurting both the environment and our health. The Burn Right campaign exposes this harmful impact and offers easy strategies for minimizing it.

Inefficient burning releases black carbon and other harmful pollutants, called SLCPs.

Black carbon from wood burning causes health problems such as eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing and chest tightness, asthma attacks and heart attacks. Young children, older adults and people with lung and heart disease are especially vulnerable.

Black carbon and other SLCPs also cause worsened climate change and more rapid snow and ice melt in the Arctic. In fact, black carbon from wood-burning in Nordic countries has more impact on changes to the Arctic climate than any other source.

Along with the harmful effects to the environment and your family and community’s health, inefficient burning is a waste of money. Fuel costs money, and inefficient burning means throwing money away. Switching to a high efficiency stove can save households 40 percent on fuel costs.

BurnRight.org offers five simple steps to help you save money on fuel, protect the environment and improve your family’s health. These “Burn Right” tips offer strategies for more efficient burning in fireplaces and wood-stoves. Learn more about…

1. Choosing the right fuel
2. Flipping your fire upside-down for better efficiency
3. Keeping the fire hot
4. What different colors of smoke mean
5. Choosing a more efficient stove

The Burn Right campaign and website is supported by the Climate & Clean Air Coalition, UNEP and the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative. The website is currently available in English, Finnish, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Swedish.