Tropical Rainforest
Africa is one of the continents in the world having the most abundant natural resources, including a variety of species of flora and fauna that are endemic in the area. The richness of its natural resources has made Africa one of the most studied continents, inspiring a number of scientists and researchers for years of study and investigation. However, due to the continuous development of societies today, the natural resources in Africa are eventually depleted, thus, largely affecting the biodiversity in the area. With this problem at hand, this paper discusses some of the serious environmental problems in Africa and the causes of these problems. It also determines possible and practical solutions that would help alleviate its negative impacts. In addition, this research paper will also identify similar problems in other regions outside Africa, including the solutions provided to such problems.
Serious Environmental Problems in Africa
One of the serious and major environmental problems in the African continent is the problem with deforestation. The excessive loss of trees and forests from the lands of Africa becomes the response to overpopulation, for most parts of the land are flatten or made barren to accommodate neighborhoods and families. Root causes of deforestation include overgrazing, logging, cattle raising, fires, commercial agriculture, mining, and wars. Many Africans depend on livestock to supply them with food and livelihood, such that the increase in the population of Africa demands the citizens to gain more livestock. This increase in livestock leads to the need for increased cleared land in order to nourish and sustain them, thus enabling the citizens to opt in clearing forests. Another major cause of deforestation is illegal logging that is being done by large international companies, and cut down a number of tress in the least possible amount of time, destroy the topsoil and burn down the remainders (2005), thus, giving no room for growth of other younger trees. This further slows the time for the forests to grow trees and be able to compensate the number of trees cut down by loggers. In addition, another cause of deforestation is commercial agriculture, which involves the slash and burn technique (2005). Farmers destroy the forests by burning it, and then apply massive amounts of fertilizers for agricultural purposes. The slash and burn technique involved in commercial agriculture contribute to the increase in the acidity of soils and water pollution as well. Mining is also regarded as the root cause of deforestation, for miners destroy forests to unearth useful resources and minerals that will be used in day-to-day applications. However, the quest for minerals from the land leads to the clearing of forests in order to build roads and tunnels for the miners, thus, further contributing to deforestation.
Another serious environmental problem in Africa is water pollution, which is caused by oil diffusion from ports, the lack of management of water resources, the lack of financial resources for sustainable development, the absence of successful regional and basin development plans, and the lack of knowledge and belief on the potential of groundwater to support irrigation and supply potable water (2007). Oil transmission from ports largely contributes to water pollution as it contributes to the depletion of oxygen in the water and blockage of sunlight, which leads to the death of many fishes and animals, endangering their species, and affecting food chains and food webs. Oil is composed of toxic chemicals, and its accumulation in the biological systems of animals and humans may cause system malfunction, normal development interference, and even death. As mentioned earlier, another cause of water pollution is the minerals from the land that flow into bodies of water due to the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides. This also contributes to the large amounts of minerals and nutrients in the water, which causes nutrient loading. In addition, the lack of financial resources and effective management in Africa also contribute to water pollution, because lack of control of facilities, such as the sewage system may cause sewage pollution and introduces parasites, bacteria, and nutrients to the water resources in the area, thus, largely contributing to contamination of the water. The lack of financial resources and the lack of knowledge restrict the authorities to take action, thus, worsening the situation and causing more environmental problems.
Strategies to be Implemented
With the alarming effects of such environmental problems, several strategies can be implemented in order to ensure the participation of all the concerned parties in order to alleviate the negative effects of such problems and be able to prepare Africa in becoming a more sustainable region. These proposed strategies can be used, in line with the limited resources available to the citizens and the government.
Education – The most important strategy that can be implemented regarding the problem with the environment is to provide education, awareness and knowledge to all citizens of Africa. This is a practical solution, which can be funded and supported by local governments and implemented locally. Awareness and education can be provided to all citizens simultaneously, starting with the government officials and employees, down to academic institutions, to private firms, and to the common citizens of each country in the whole continent. Providing education and awareness can be in different forms, including forums or conventions, which directly discuss the problems and its effects, by providing pamphlets or flyers with proper illustrations, and through on-location discussions, wherein educational representatives are given the chance to speak to local communities and educate them directly regarding the perceived problems in the African environment. Given the low literacy rate in Africa, direct discussions instead of providing education materials might be more effective. However, the shortage of representatives and the danger of traveling may be considered the setbacks of this strategy.
Education of citizens includes the proper care for the environment, including the proper use of natural resources. Discussion would also include the emphasis on the benefits of caring for natural resources, and the impacts of the use of wrong strategies in obtaining livelihood from nature. This could be further stressed in academic institutions, where students are able to become aware of the problems caused by abuse of natural resources at an early age. Moreover, the local governments can encourage public participation, which would give them the opportunity to express their opinions on proposed projects, programs and procedures regarding the problems in the environment, thus, considering them in the decision-making process.
Law enforcement of local authorities – Another strategy that can be implemented is the strict law enforcement of local authorities from different countries comprising Africa. Governments must be able to restrict the activities of illegal logging companies in their area, which largely contribute to the deforestation of rainforests in Africa. Similarly, local governments must strictly prohibit the use of the slash and burn technique and all other ways that contribute to the destruction of nature. Restricting these activities involve the generation of new laws and acts that would prohibit the use of such strategies, and the close monitoring and surveillance of areas that are prone to such activities. Strict prohibition also entails enforcing fines and punishments to all those who have violated the law, thus, strictly requiring the discipline and compliance of the African citizens. Fines, tariffs and prices for the violation of the laws set for water pollution and excessive destroying of trees must be set at high prices, for with low prices, violators may just repeat their crime repeatedly.
Declaring sanctuaries – Another strategy that can be implemented is to declare specific areas as sanctuaries, protected by the government and by organizations that promote the care for the environment. If several sanctuaries will be declared by the local authorities, the reduction of the risk of having more deaths and loss of species will be attained.
Role of non-government organizations – The citizens of Africa may be able to work and coordinate with non-government and environmental organizations that would help ensure the achievement of providing information, knowledge, and action regarding tropical deforestation and water pollution. This would further provide relevant and important knowledge to the citizens of Africa, thus, making them more aware and informed.
Helping to overcome poverty – It can be understood that poverty is one of the reasons why African citizens opt to exhaust the use of their natural resources over protecting them. With this, local governments may employ to implement micro financing opportunities and self-help groups for the poor citizens to generate more choices in terms of obtaining livelihood and resources. With this, poor citizens would be open to more opportunities, and not only relying on fishing, farming and herding.
Support and help from international organizations – It would also be helpful if the local governments and the environmental organizations in Africa will seek help from international organizations, such as the United Nations. The local governments and environmental organizations can request for funding, in line with the desire of the African governments to promote education and sustainable development of the region. The involvement of the United Nations extends from their funding, to help African local governments sustain their efforts for educating their citizens and developing their systems, to the implementation of necessary laws and regulations that would govern the use of their natural resources. This involves the increase in the declaration of sanctuaries that would protect the existing and untouched forests and havens for plants and animals. The involvement of the United Nations and all international environmental organizations associated with it would also be able to help the local governments in African in educating its citizens in terms of the proper use of their natural resources. It would also entitle the United Nations to promote environmental programs, which would require the participation of the African citizens and other concerned citizens around the world, thus, the preservation of the natural resources of the African region becomes a worldwide concern.
Similar Problems in other Regions of the World
Similar to the African region, the problems in relation to deforestation and water pollution are also observed and experienced in other parts of the world, particularly in China. China, like the African region, experiences the drastic changes in its population, which contribute to the destruction and excessive use of its natural resources. With the increase in population in China, deforestation of tropical rainforests and excessive water pollution are among the most serious problems the citizens are facing. The local forests in China have long served as firewood and lumber, contributing to 50% of loss that is attributed to the conversion of forests to settlements, and to 50% of loss due to logging (2004). This leads to the continuous loss of forests in China at a fast rate of about 4 to 6% annually ( 2004). In addition, water flowing from the five major rivers in China is heavily contaminated and hazardous for direct human contact, due to wastewater and the lack of wastewater treatment facilities in some parts of the country ( 2007). As a proposed solution to these increasing problems, the government of China developed laws and policies in relation to the abuse and misuse of the environment and the natural resources. Along with the implementation of laws and policies are the continuous promotion and education of schoolchildren and the Chinese citizens regarding the protection and importance of the environment.
However, the endeavors of the Chinese government failed with their efforts, given the presence of a number of factors. Primarily, environmental agencies and other organizations associated with it lack the authority, work force, and financial resources in order to provide efficient service and actions in addressing the environmental problems. With the lack of resources and authority, environmental agencies will not be able to effectively give time and effort in knowing the causes of the problems, thus, neglecting it and worsening the situation. Another obstacle is prioritizing endeavors in relation to economic development over environmental protection. With this, the Chinese authorities are not giving much attention to the arising problems in relation to deforestation and water pollution, thus, contributing to the depletion and contamination of natural resources in the region. Third obstacle that can be pointed out is the lack of awareness of the citizens from all sectors of the society, regarding the proper use and care for the environment. The lack of knowledge and awareness leads to neglect, thus, the worsening of the condition of the environment. Fourth obstacle is attributed to the outdated technologies of China, which hampers the development of agencies in terms of addressing environmental problems. Seeking the help and assistance of other advanced countries mean spending a good deal of money, thus, losing revenues. Fifth and final obstacle is the change in the lifestyle of citizens as a response to the development of technology and the increase in population, which further contributes to pollution and increase in the demand for settlements in the region ( 2007).
Conclusion
This paper was able to point out two of the most serious environmental problems that are being faced by different countries around the world, including Africa and China. Several root causes of deforestation and water pollution were identified. These causes, when neglected, could present a chain of negative impacts that were perceived to be deleterious to all living organisms, including humans. With the limited resources, some countries have, possible practical solutions can be implemented. In addition, similar environmental problems were also identified in other regions, and were perceived to be not entirely addressed due to the lack of resources. With this, lack of funding and resources, and lack of education are the obstacles in providing solutions to the environmental challenges faced by different regions in the world.
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