EPA, Peace Corps team up for environment

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- A partnership with the Peace Corps will advance the mission of a range of environmental issues, the director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.

EPA Director Lisa Jackson and her Peace Corps counterpart Aaron Williams signed a memorandum of understand to strengthen the ties between the two organizations.

Both organizations through the MOU will work on environmental education and combine their efforts to deliver cleaner cooking stoves to people in developing countries.

The EPA in a statement said toxic smoke from indoor fire and "inefficient" cooking stoves contribute to nearly 2 million deaths each year.

The Peace Corps said its volunteers were strategically placed to help empower local communities to make sound environmental decisions.

"EPA and the Peace Corps can expand our efforts both here at home and throughout the world, combining our experiences and knowledge to tackle complex and pressing environmental issues confronting our global community," added Jackson in her statement.