Envirofit International founders, from left, are Tim Bauer, Colorado State University professor Paul Hudnut, Nathan Lorenz and Bryan Willson. / Courtesy of Colorado State University
The Fort Collins developers of cleaner-burning cookstoves have been named Energy and Environment Innovators of the Year by The Economist magazine.
Tim Bauer, Nathan Lorenz and Bryan Willson, founders of Envirofit International, will receive the award during a Dec. 3 ceremony in London. Their 10-year-old spinoff of Colorado State University research develops wood- and coal-burning cookstoves that produce less air pollution than stoves traditionally used in developing nations.
According to a CSU release, Envirofit has sold 700,000 cookstoves in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Nearly 3 billion people — half the world’s population — cook over wood- or dung-burning open fires inside their homes, contributing to 4 million deaths per year, the release states.
“Indoor air pollution is a scourge that affects millions of people, but gets far less attention than other forms of pollution,” The Economist Digital Editor Tom Standage said in a written release. “We are delighted to recognize the achievements of Envirofit’s founders in tackling this problem.”
The magazine’s award recognizes innovative ideas that can lead to meaningful social change. Envirofit plans to sell 5 million of its stoves by 2020, said CEO Ron Bills, who has led the company since 2005.
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