An upcoming edition of Energy for Sustainable Development will feature an article co-authored by Glendale Community College’s Michael Strong, social sciences faculty member, and Julie Silva, geography instructor at the University of Buffalo.

The manuscript “Predictors of persistent charcoal consumption among urban households in Tete, Mozambique,” examines motivations for persistent charcoal consumption in urban households that have access to electricity, according to a GCC press release.

Key findings indicate that income plays only a negligible role in predicting the use of charcoal over electricity as a primary cooking fuel, the announcement explains. More important are personal preferences and the effects of friendships with people who do not use charcoal to cook.

The study further notes that this has implications for realizing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals as it provides additional pathways for policymakers to induce a shift in charcoal demand with the potential to improve sustainable consumption of the region’s forests.

Strong holds a doctoral degree in geographical sciences from the University of Maryland and a master's in geography and environmental planning from Towson University.

He has published several papers on sustainability, conservation and human development in Mozambique. He teaches courses in earth and environmental sciences at GCC, chairs the sustainability instructional council, and is the secretary of the GCC Faculty Senate.