What makes people chose one energy carrier over another? How can the specific advantages and limitations of each, firewood, charcoal and LPG, be considered jointly within a comprehensive, inter-sectoral energy strategy? Steve Sepp argues to discard the classical antinomy of 'traditional fuel vs. modern fuel' as insinuated by the energy ladder. The brochure provides up-to-date statistics, lessons and suggestions for governments and household energy-related programmes.