Environmental issues in Africa

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African environmental issues are caused by human impacts on the natural environment and affect humans and nearly all forms of life. Issues include deforestation, soil degradation, air pollution, water pollution, garbage pollution, climate change and water scarcity (resulting in problems with access to safe water supply and sanitation).^[1] These issues result in environmental conflict and are connected to broader social struggles for democracy and sovereignty.^[2]

Africa ranks as the world’s second-largest and most populous continent, yet it confronts severe impacts from climate change, putting over 200 million people at risk of hunger. This is partly due to its limited resilience against climate disturbances, attributed to inadequate adaptive measures.^[3]

Africa boasts a rich biodiversity, with 22% of the world‘s mammalian species, about 20% of bird species, and 16% of plant species. It houses eight of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots, notable for their unique species and high risk of ecological vulnerability. Yet, Africa’s natural wealth faces alarming threats, with significant biodiversity losses driven by population increase, expansive agriculture, rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, and illegal wildlife trade. ^[4]

In the past half-century, African nations have experienced a significant decline in air quality, positioning their cities among the most polluted globally. Current levels of particulate matter are five to ten times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limits, a situation expected to deteriorate further with population growth and rapid industrialization. Despite the critical nature of this issue, only 0.01% of global air pollution funding is allocated to Africa. In 2019, air pollution emerged as the continent’s second-highest risk factor for death, affecting its population of over 1.2 billion.^[5]

African communities face a serious threat from contaminated water. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) reports that approximately 115 people in Africa die each hour from diseases caused by poor hygiene, insufficient sanitation, and polluted water. Despite this critical issue, 418 million people on the continent still lack access to basic drinking water services, 779 million are without basic sanitation services (including 208 million who resort to open defecation), and 839 million do not have access to basic hygiene services. Water is essential for health and well-being, yet countless communities across Africa lack clean and safe water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene.^[6]

Deforestation continues to pose a significant threat to Africa’s diverse landscapes. Approximately 14% of the global forest area in Africa is experiencing a decline, primarily due to human activities converting forest land for economic purposes. From 2015 to 2020, the continent saw an alarming rate of deforestation, resulting in the loss of 4.4 million hectares of forest each year. This trend predominantly affects the eastern and southern regions, where deforestation occurs at a rate of 2.2 million hectares annually. Meanwhile, Western and Central Africa experienced a loss of approximately 1.9 million hectares of forest per year during the same timeframe. Although there was a slight decrease in deforestation rates between 2015 and 2020, the overall trend has escalated since 1990, marking Africa as the region with the highest rate of forest area loss globally.^[7]

Africa’s top oil producer is Nigeria, where over 300 million litres of crude oil are produced daily and are thought to be the source of 70% of the country’s earnings. However, since the discovery of petroleum in Nigeria over six decades ago, the country has grappled with frequent oil spills in its primary economic sector. It’s estimated that the Niger Delta region alone suffers from approximately 240,000 barrels of crude oil spillage annually, causing significant harm to agriculture, water sources, and the air through the release of toxic chemicals.^[8]

In facing the environmental crises that loom over Africa in 2024, it’s not just about acknowledging the issues; it’s about mobilizing for change. With climate change threatening millions, biodiversity on the brink, air and water quality deteriorating, forests vanishing, and oil spills wreaking havoc, the time for decisive action is now.^[9]