Environmental Issues of Africa

Clean Water Many do not have clean drinking water Nile River is contaminated with human and industrial waste Most people in Egypt live along it

Environmental Issue #1 Aswan High Dam Allows Egypt year-round irrigation Farmers grow crops 3x a year Also used to produce electricity The Nile no longer floods, leaving silt on the land

Environmental Issue #1 Irrigation and the Nile Because of dam Nile does not flood No silt (rich topsoil) is left on the farm lands Farmers must use chemical fertilizers Problems with fertilizers –Pollutes the rivers Fertilizers have caused some parts to have high concentrations of salt High salt land is no suitable for growing.

Environmental Issue #1 Niger River Transportation route Where it meets the sea it is called “Oil Delta” Area is rich in oil The river silt is good for growing

Environmental Issue #1 Congo River Provides water for –Villages & towns –Irrigation –Fishing –Transportation Much of the wood from the Rainforest comes down this river

Environmental Issue #2 Deforestation Trees are important because –Produce oxygen-Paper –Maintain ground soil-Heat –Cool the ground-Building materials –Prevent erosion-Home for wildlife –Produce food Fruit animals

Environmental Issue #2 Deforestation Cutting down trees in large amounts destroys the ecosystems Some areas will never grow back Kills wildlife and forces extinction Cutting trees in savannas and rainforests

Environmental Issue #3 Desertification Spreading of the desert As trees are cut down they don’t grow back The desert takes over Less food is produced for the people Resulting in famine (no food to eat) Famine = starvation=death

Environmental Issue #3 Desertification Deserts are taking over valuable farmland in the Sahel and the Savannas