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Human Poop Biogas Can Fuel 138 Million Homes, U.N. Report

By R. Siva Kumar | Update Date: Nov 05, 2015 10:58 AM EST

Human poop can be exciting for development.

In a new United Nations report Tuesday, it has been explained that human waste can generate electricity for hundreds of millions of homes, finally leading to sustainable energy even as the process improves health and development, especially in poorer countries, according to HNGN.

Published by the U.N. University's Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), Canada, it has calculated that about $9.5 billion worth of natural gas can be generated from aggregate human waste all over the world.

Hence, with the harnessing of biogas technology, and bacteria breaking down human waste, it can generate electricity providing fuel for 138 million households.

This number equals all the combined homes in Indonesia, Brazil and Ethiopia, according to Global News.

"When it comes to creating misery and poverty, human waste mismanagement has few rivals," said Zafar Adeel, director at UNU-INWEH. "If we can demonstrate a simple, cost-effective new approach in low-resource settings ... we can advance development, protect the environment and help reduce sanitation problems."

Right now one of the biggest health hazards is lack of hygiene and sanitation. For instance, people who defecate in the open are almost one billion, the U.N. said. By recycling this waste, about 18 million households can be provided fuel, while cholera, diarrhea, hepatitis A and typhoid, among other diseases can be eradicated.

There are a number of real-world applications of biogas technology, such as a UK bus that is energised by cow manure.

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