- India-based think tank Center for Science and Environment (CSE), in collaboration with Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA-Kenya), releases the first edition of the report
- NEMA (National Environmental Management Agency) Director Mamo Bor Mamo and CSE Director Sunitana Rhein presented the report at a media briefing.
- More than 100 journalists, researchers and experts from across Africa contributed to the preparation of this annual publication.
Nairobi, October 12, 2023: Center for Science and Environment (CSE), an India-based think tank, in collaboration with Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA-Kenya), Africa Environmental Status Report 2023 Yesterday, I attended a media briefing attended by about 50 journalists from Kenya and other African countries.
The report is published biweekly by India-based science, development and environment magazine Down To Earth, with contributions from numerous African journalists, researchers and environmental experts. mamo bol mamothe Director-General of the Kenya National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), released the report along with the following reports: Sunita NarainDirector of CSE.
Explaining the rationale behind the report, Narain said: This report will help you see the big picture. It helps us understand different aspects of the environment by putting together a comprehensive picture that makes the link between environment and development clearer. Environment and development are two sides of the same coin. ”
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mamobo Mamo said: “The issues raised in this report are important and relevant to Africa’s environment. We have a collective responsibility to manage our environment well. It will give direction as to the position that should be taken.”
Said Richard Mahapatra, Down to Earth’s editor-in-chief and executive editor responsible for this report, said: The report covers climate change, wildlife and biodiversity, agriculture and land degradation, water and sanitation, and emerging waste management issues. ”
Some of the key highlights of the report
- The first edition of the African National Environmental Reports 2023 highlights the “centrality of environmental well-being in the overall sustainable development of the African continent”.
- Africa’s prosperity and economy are deeply tied to its vast natural resources, or natural capital. Africa’s natural capital was estimated at US$6.2 trillion in 2018, making the continent the richest in terms of resources. This is almost three times the size of the entire continent’s economy.
- As natural capital degrades, future development will become unsustainable and more people will have to fight for limited resources.
- Per capita natural capital in Africa is decreasing, falling from US$4,374 in 1995 to US$2,877 in 2018. According to various estimates, African countries could see a 10 percent decline in GDP by 2030 and 10 percent by 2050, with around 1.2 billion Africans facing increased water pressure. there is. Pollution; 1.5 billion people could face increased food insecurity and millions more at risk of coastal erosion.
- Climate change is happening faster in Africa than ever beforeHe is the rest of the world. “This is a disproportionate impact given that Africa contributes very little to global warming,” Narain said.
- Over the past 15 years, several studies have warned that climate change and environmental stressors are intensifying and exacerbating conflicts over territory, ethnicity, and resources. but, African countries are ahead of most countries in the world in their efforts to reduce emissions and combat global crises..
- The world’s second largest and second most populous continent is home to a quarter of the planet’s plant and animal species. However, species extinction rates on the continent are higher than in other parts of the world. Again, African countries have some pioneering conservation models that put communities at the center. If Africa protects its biodiversity, the world can benefit from it. If used sustainably, protected areas in Africa can eradicate poverty and bring peace.
- Africa imports about 85% of its food from outside the continent. At this time, 65 percent of the world’s arable land is still uncultivated. Desertification affects her 45% of the continent. Nevertheless, The continent’s collective efforts to reverse degradation and build natural capital are an example of modern planetary efforts to save natural capital..
- Air pollution kills 1.1 million people on the continent every year. Developed countries treat the continent as a dumping ground for used cars, making the problem of air pollution even more serious. Some countries have already taken policy initiatives that may curb this threat.
- Achieving the 2030 universal access goal will require providing clean cooking fuels to approximately 130 million Africans each year. This is the biggest development challenge, as around 700,000 people died in 2019 due to lack of clean cooking fuels. But Africa is emerging into the world of renewable energy. 9,000 GW of renewable energy potential Approximately 60% of these are concentrated in the sub-Saharan region.
- Africa’s healthy life expectancy has increased In Africa, 47 countries have already eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease. Although there are signs of progress in achieving health goals on the continent, challenges remain. By 2080, an additional 75.9 million people in eastern and southern Africa will be at risk of 10-12 months of malaria exposure due to climate change.
- How Africa manages its water resources will determine how secure the world’s water will be.Africa’s aquifers contain 660,000 kilometers of groundwater3 Water. This is more than 100 times the annual renewable freshwater resources stored in dams and rivers.
- Waste generation in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to increase by 300% by 2050. In sub-Saharan Africa, only 55% of the waste generated can be recovered. Only 19 percent of this is managed in managed facilities.
Journalists who would like to access an electronic copy of this report should send an email or whatsapp message to: sukanya.nair@cseindia.org,8816818864.
If you would like to learn more about the report and its findings, please contact us below. sukanya.nair@cseindia.org or suparno@cseindia.org.
The presentations given at the conference can be accessed here. https://www.cseindia.org/state-of-africa-s-environment-report-2023-11849
About the Center for Science and Environment and Down To Earth Magazine
CSE (Center for Science and Environment (www.cseindia.org)) is one of the Global South’s leading think tanks working on environmental and development issues. CSE, led by noted environmental thinker and author Sunitana Rain, works with some African countries to help strengthen environmental policies and regulations, as well as educate African countries on what works and what experiences can be replicated in India. I’m learning from. CSE supports the publication of Down To Earth (www.downtoearth.org.in), one of India’s top bi-weekly magazines that provides incisive coverage of environment, science and development issues.