SS7G2: Environmental Issues Across Africa and its Impact on Education 7 th Grade Social Studies.
Environmental Issues in Africa
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Transcript of Environmental Issues in Africa
Environmental Issues in Africa
Water: pollution & distribution
Soil and Deforestation
Desertification
Final Statement
The environment is directly related to the economic success of a country. Water affects all aspects of a country’s economy. It is needed for agriculture (Crops), trade success (Coastline) , industry (Operate Machinery and create products), and the workforce (Clean drinking water).
Water Issues
• Pollution- due to pesticides, fertilizers, human waste, mining, and manufacturing.
• Half of the hospital patients in Africa are due to unclean drinking water.
• This impacts the economy by reducing the workforce.
• With population increase, clean drinking water decreases.
Other Water Facts
• Only 47% of people in sub-Saharan Africa have access to safe drinking water.
• Industry is not the primary cause of water pollution in Africa.
-Natural problems- snails, worms, insect larvae, & other parasites.
-These organisms cause waterborne diseases which reduce life-
expectancy, lessen the quality of life, and decrease economic growth.
What Does Polluted Water Do?
• Harms the fishing industry• Ruins the land- There is an average of two
oil spills a day in Nigeria.• While a country benefits from income
generated by industry, it suffers due to pollution created by the industry.
Water- A Shrinking Supply• Few places in
rural Africa have plumbing or water purification.
• Women and children walk daily to the nearest stream to collect water….. One bucket at a time.
Facts
• Climate change, deforestation, and population growth have contributed to a water imbalance.
• Agriculture used to get 88% of the water supply. Since many are moving to the cities, water is being diverted there.
• Irrigation systems are in need of repair• Lake Chad has shrunk 95% in the last 40
years.
Facts• There is a tug of war between urban
populations and farmers.
• Since the bulk of trade in Africa is with countries outside of the continent, Landlocked countries are the poorest.
Soil Deforestation• Nearly 90% of
coastal rainforests in West Africa have been cut down since the 1900’s.
• In the 1990’s, 13 million acres of African forest logged.
• This causes erosion and loss of nutrients.
• Erosion has harmed 75% of Africa’s soil
The Sahara- Getting Larger
• Between the Sahara Desert and the rainforests is the Sahel.
• This is a grassland area that has been affected due to poor farming practices, land clearing, overgrazing livestock, and drought.
Sahara and Sahel
Cause and Effect of Unequal Water Distribution
Issue Cause Effect
Not enough water for irrigation
Problems with trade
Problems with Industry
Not enough clean drinking water
Cause and Effect of Unequal Water Distribution
Issue Cause Effect
Not enough water for irrigation
Cities consume it Farming suffers; less food to trade
or eat
Problems with trade
Countries with no coastline trade
less
Economy suffers; less growth
Problems with Industry
Industries need water
Industries do not grow if they don’t
have water
Not enough clean drinking water
People and animals get sick
Hurts economy