The Pollution Problem In Africa

Due to climate change, Africa – the continent with the second-largest land area and population – is experiencing significant challenges.

Despite producing only 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions, Africa is being impacted disproportionately by climate change because it’s highly sensitive to its effects and lacks adequate adaptation planning. These factors make the situation especially challenging for many African nations. 

In the African Economic Outlook 2022 published by the African Development Bank, several environmental challenges faced by Africa were highlighted.

Deforestation

Deforestation is a global issue that affects not only Africa but also the entire planet. The clearing of forests for wood and agricultural lands results in soil erosion, decreased rainfall, climate change, and more unfavorable conditions. 

Forests serve as natural flood prevention mechanisms that protect nearby settlements from floods. They act like sponges retaining precipitation thereby preventing soil erosion while releasing water slowly over time. Deforestation increases flooding risks during heavy rains as it disrupts soil structure thus changing the previously held firm soil particles.

Air Pollution

NASA research published in 2019 found that air pollution is responsible for 780,000 annual premature deaths in Africa. The majority of these deaths are caused by fire emissions in West and Central Africa while in Nigeria and South Africa, the growth of the oil and gas sector has contributed to rising death rates. 

According to UNICEF, fatalities caused by outdoor air pollution in Africa have risen by 60% between 1990 and 2017 primarily due to emissions from ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur oxides, sulfates, soot, and organic carbon from gas industry plants & urbanization.

Burning biomass is a common practice in areas with low population concentrations but produces harmful pollutants that contribute to air pollution. Burning biomass is the third biggest cause of mortality brought on by air pollution accounting for about 70,000 annual deaths.

Governments and commercial organizations face several challenges when providing electricity access, especially in remote or sparsely populated parts of Africa. 

Construction costs for necessary infrastructure can be high leading governments to invest in renewable sources such as solar & wind generated plants which provide clean energy at lower rates but are often slower to set up.

Water Pollution

The contamination of water sources is a significant risk to African residents who lack reliable sources of clean water for basic human needs including cooking drinking and hygiene.

Poor neighborhoods are particularly affected as they often lack the resources to invest in effective waste management systems.

Additionally, metals from municipal garbage have been discovered in topsoils used for agriculture, thus leading to contaminated soil and food supplies. Exposure to these metals poses a significant threat to human health; however, improved filtering systems can reduce their presence in soils.

Biodiversity Loss

Population expansion, rapid urbanization, illegal trafficking, progress in infrastructure construction & intensive farming methods have all contributed to unprecedented biodiversity loss on the continent.

According to IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services), Madagascar and Indian Ocean islands are some of Africa’s most threatened areas. 

The report also projected an anticipated loss of 50-60% of African bird and mammal species, as well as wildlife and fisheries by the end of this century due to overuse and deterioration of ecosystems.

Oil Spills

Since petroleum was discovered in Nigeria over 60 years ago, uncontrolled leaks have plagued the country’s oil sector. 

As Africa’s leading oil producer, Nigeria pumps out about 300 million liters of crude oil per day, accounting for an estimated 70% of its GDP.

These leaks have harmful impacts on air quality, water sources, and food supplies across Nigeria with more than 12,000 oil spills reported between 1976 and 2014 alone. Pipelines breaking down or tanker mishaps accounted for over half of these occurrences. 

Researchers studying the Niger Delta identified maternal exposure to spills within ten kilometers of residence areas linked with higher rates of newborn death & detrimental effects on surviving children’s health.

Facts about Africa’s Pollution Problem

Air Pollution

In comparison to other environmental threats faced by Africa today; air pollution ranks highest globally in terms of severity. This is primarily because air pollution affects more than 90%of people residing in areas that do not meet World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standards.

Emissions from burning fuels contribute to air pollution, especially in low-income neighborhoods. The emissions are of a localized and severe kind of pollution that is particularly harmful to children who have higher chances of premature mortality if they play in polluted environments.

Cooking emissions are also responsible for over 7.8 million deaths annually worldwide. Stricter enforcement of environmental regulations on safety measures during cooking practices is necessary to address this major contributor to air pollution in Africa.

Acid Rain

Pollution continues to increase across Africa, leading to more acid rain whose effects can cause adverse health & economic impacts. 

Coal burning in South Africa is regarded as the primary source of acid rain since coal combustion emits toxic fumes that poison plants, pollute waterways, and trigger acidification. Over-reliance on coal has made it one of the biggest contributors to sulfur dioxide emissions globally.

In 1987 alone, a coal plant emitted almost two million metric tons each of sulphuric acid and nitric acid into the atmosphere. Large-scale coal-burning industries mainly create acid rain which may be mitigated by thorough enforcement of environmental policies and regulations across African nations.

International Corporations

Global corporations contribute to environmental degradation. Pollution in Africa is getting worse due to environmental mistakes made by multinational corporations and commercial operations. 

There is a lack of government support for policies that would make businesses and markets more environmentally friendly. Gas and oil are released by companies and trade operations, garbage is dumped on land or in water, and there is a lack of advanced technologies, all of which contribute to air and water pollution. 

Expanding our resource base is one way to lessen the environmental impact of multinational corporations and international commerce.

The Environment Programme of the United Nations

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is helping the world’s most prominent energy and transportation agencies, with a particular emphasis on fuel efficiency and infrastructure improvement. If initiatives like the UNEP keep up their good job, pollution in Africa will go down.

Through partnerships with governments, NGOs, private sector companies, and research institutions, UNEP aims to increase awareness of the environmental challenges facing our planet today. 

It also provides technical assistance and promotes innovative solutions for addressing these challenges in a way that benefits both people and the environment.

One of UNEP’s main focuses is on climate change mitigation actions around the world. This includes working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions; promoting renewable energy; protecting biodiversity by preventing habitat destruction, loss of species, and illegal wildlife trade among others; mitigate desertification among many other objectives. 

Air Sensors

Fortunately, air sensors have emerged as a possible solution to this long-standing problem by providing data on the concentration of particulate matter present in Nairobi’s atmosphere. According to WHO reports Nairobi’s fine particulate matter level exceeded 70 percent above the maximum level set for safe dwelling conditions.

By implementing cutting-edge technology like air sensors, governments can monitor and regulate industrial activities capable of causing extensive harm through their emissions. This way, authorities can come up with better strategies on how best to mitigate the damage caused by pollutants before they begin posing dangers and threatening lives.

Africa’s Potential Green Revolution

In comparison with other parts of the world where clean energy sources are common practice, renewable energy remains an unexplored market within most African countries.

Luckily some forward-thinking residents from East Africa steered off-grid solar energy which serves as proof-of-concept if taken seriously could spark new innovations towards sustainable living practices continent-wide.

Government’s Response

Climate change presents unprecedented threats globally but resilient policies towards environmental conservation act as catalysts for sustaining livelihoods and economies. Governments across Africa continue to make significant efforts towards addressing the continent’s environmental challenges.

For instance, several countries have implemented policies targeting deforestation through the establishment of forest reserves and investments in reforestation projects. In Ghana, community-funded conservation initiatives have been successful in protecting forests while still allowing for sustainable agriculture practices.

The African Union also aims to achieve the 100 million hectares of reforested lands target by 2023 as part of its Great Green Wall initiative that will manage desertification & promote sustainable farming models recording some positive results so far.

Air pollution has also become an area of great concern in recent years, with many governments placing stricter regulations on industrial emissions to help reduce air quality issues. 

For example, Nigeria has launched programs for cleaner cooking methods as they contribute majorly to indoor pollution across regions where firewood remains commonplace.

Moreover, Rwanda is a country working hard on environmental protection which led the world in banning single-use plastic bags a decade ago. 

It continues to prioritize sustainability aligning with his excellency Paul Kagame’s aim to transform Rwanda into an industrialized and developed middle-income country by 2035 with a green economy approach.

Conclusion

Africa is undergoing significant environmental challenges linked with climate change that demand resolute interventions from the governments. Despite being responsible for just 3% of global CO2 emissions, the African continent still bears the brunt of climate change as it is least resilient to its consequences.

Deforestation, air pollution, water pollution, biodiversity loss, and oil spills are some of the environmental issues faced by Africa today that have detrimental impacts on human health and economic activities across the continent.

Governments across Africa need to increasingly implement policies through collaborations with communities and regional bodies like the African Union towards mitigating these environmental problems. 

By promoting sustainable practices such as cleaner cooking methods, investment in renewable sources like solar & wind energy to power remote areas, reducing industrial emissions and establishing forest reserves that promote reforestation initiatives; Africa can help reduce its carbon footprint while ensuring sustainable development.

Achieving these goals will require significant investments in infrastructure and commitment to actions consistent with a green economy approach securing our planet’s future from further pollution devastating effects.