Environmental Issues in Africa

Water: Pollution & Unequal Distribution

Water: A Global Crisis

Environment – Economics Connection

• The condition of 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.

• ½ of the hospital patients in Africa are b/c of unclean drinking water.

• This impacts the economy by reducing the workforce.

• Urban areas are growing rapidly and clean drinking water decreases.

• 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. These water cans weigh about 40 pounds each.

• Water may not be suitable for humans to drink.

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.

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 DistributionIssue Cause Effect

Not enough water for irrigation

Cities consume it;Urban development

Farming suffers; less food to trade or

eat

Problems with trade Countries with no coastline trade less

b/c it’s more difficult to transport

goods

Economy suffers; less money for

economic growth & improvements to

infrastructure

Problems with Industry

Industries need water to operate

Countries need industry to grow

economies

Not enough clean drinking water

Sick or unhealthy workers; animals

get sick

Hurts economy; sick people aren’t as

productive