When we think about renewable energy, we tend to look to the forces of nature -- the sun, wind, oceans, etc. -- rarely do we stop and consider the "call of nature." It might seem a bit taboo to use our own feces to generate power, but in developing countries where reliable sources of energy are scarce, folks aren't deterred by the seemingly gross concept. Thus, Uganda becomes the latest developing nation to hitch its wagon to the power of poo.

The idea is not a new one and has been in used in other countries like India, China, and Vietnam for some time. By mixing materials like banana peels, algae, poultry droppings and, of course, human feces in an air-tight digester, bacteria produce a cheap and inflammable fuel called Biogas. Used for lighting, heating and, yes, even cooking, Biogas produced from "excreta" contains enough methane -- 60-90% -- for use without further refinement. Not to mention, the byproduct of Biogas, called "slurry" is a nutrient rich fertilizer.

Heifer International -- a firm dedicated to fighting hunger, poverty and environmental destruction -- hopes to build enough Biogas plants to provide sustainable power to all of Uganda. By doing so, they could fight both the deforestation and pollution created by wood fires, all while utilizing a basically free source of energy. Although it might be a little stinky.