AFRICA GEOGRAPHIC UNDERSTANDINGS Factory Shoals Middle School Mr. L. Smith Days 6-8

Africa Geographic Understandings Standard: SS7G2 Discuss environmental issues across the African continent. a. Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation, trade, industry and drinking water.

FIRST FIVE Agenda Message: Pop-Quiz on political boundaries/countries of Africa is Tuesday! Standard: Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation, trade, industry and drinking water. Essential Question for Monday February 4, 2019: What factors lead to unequal distribution of clean water in Africa? Warm-up: What is the newest country on the African continent? Today We Will: Environmental Issues in Africa.

FIRST FIVE E.Q. Answer for Monday February 4th: Geography, Climate, drought, desertification, deforestation, pollution, population growth Warm-up Answer: South Sudan

FIRST FIVE Agenda Message: Progress Report go home tomorrow for all classes. Standard: Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation, trade, industry and drinking water. Essential Question for Tuesday February 5, 2019: What are major contributing factors in polluting African rivers? Warm-Up: List the main causes of desertification. Today We Will: Environmental Issues in Africa.

ANSWERS E.Q. Answer for February 5th: Pesticides, fertilizers, human waste, storm water runoff, mining, and manufacturing by products all contribute to water pollution in Africa. Warm-up Answer: The three main reasons for desertification are overgrazing, poor agricultural practices, and the slash and burn policy in the rainforest.

Social Studies Writing Prompt #3 United Nations research estimates that 1-million children die each year in Africa due to lack of clean water. What can you suggest to help save the lives of these African children? Research the following programs for ideas: United Nations Programs The World Bank United Children’s Fund

FIRST FIVE Agenda Message: Social Studies Writing Prompt for this week is due Monday. Progress Reports go home TODAY! Standard: Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation, trade, industry and drinking water. Essential Question for Wednesday February 6, 2019: Define desertification and describe its cause? Warm-up: What is one environmental problem faced by “all” countries in Africa today? Today We Will: Environmental Issues in Africa.

ANSWERS E.Q. Answer for Wednesday February 6th: Desertification is the process of fertile land transforming into desert typically caused by deforestation (cutting down of trees), overgrazing, and the use of poor farming techniques. Warm-up Answer: Lack of clean water

FIRST FIVE Agenda Message: Writing Prompt #3 is due Monday. 1-million children die in Africa each year due to lack of clean water. How can you help to provide clean water for children of Africa? Standard: Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation, trade, industry and drinking water. Essential Question for Thursday February 7, 2019: What type of health problems result from not having enough clean water to drink and bathe? Warm-up: List the three most important environmental issues facing Africa today. Today We Will: Finish Environmental Issues in Africa.

ANSWERS E.Q. Answer for Wednesday February 7th: Warm-up Answer: People who are not able to have access to clean water are at risk for many diseases. Lack of water to wash and bathe with causes; Increased frequency of skin and eye infections Increased problem of water-borne diseases spread by parasites living in unsanitary water. Warm-up Answer: The three most important issues are; Lack of water, Poor soil quality, and Expanding deserts

FIRST FIVE Agenda Message: Quiz next week on Africa’s Environment Issues. Review this week’s notes in E.Q.’s & Warm-ups. Standard: Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation, trade, industry and drinking water. Essential Question for Friday February 8, 2019: What is the “Great Green Wall” project? Warm-up: List the three most important environmental issues facing Africa today. Today We Will: Finish Environmental Issues in Africa.

ANSWERS E.Q. Answer for Friday February 8th: Africa’s flagship initiative to combat the effects of climate change and desertification. Once completed Africa’s Great Green Wall will be a manmade forest of drought-resistant trees stretching across the entire continent of Africa. It is planned to be nine miles wide and 4,750 miles long. Warm-up Answer: The three most important issues are; Lack of water, Poor soil quality, and Expanding deserts

Africa Geographic Understandings African Environmental Issues Africa faces many different types of environmental issues. The three most important issues are; Lack of water, Poor soil quality, and Expanding deserts

Africa Geographic Understandings Lack of Water Much of Africa has trouble having enough water for people to live. Large parts of Africa are arid (very dry deserts), other parts are semi-arid. Those areas with plenty of water have rolling grasslands (Savannas) and still others are humid and sub-tropical (Rain Forest).

Africa Geographic Understandings Countries with large river systems have enough water for farming and for people in villages, towns, and cities. However, all countries have water problems due to increasing pollution from factories, animal and human waste.

Africa Geographic Understandings Countries that do not have large rivers often experience poor harvests, they have very little grazing land for farm animals, and little clean water for drinking and washing.

Africa Geographic Understandings Expanding Deserts Each year deserts claim more and more land. The tension between the needs of a growing population and the limited water supply is a serious environmental issue for most of Africa.

Africa Geographic Understandings Egypt & the Nile River Many countries in Africa do not have enough water even though they have large rivers. Egypt is a good example. The Nile River, the longest river in the world, runs the length of Egypt. Most Egyptians live along its banks. The river is used for water and transportation.

Africa Geographic Understandings In recent years, however, overpopulation and poor sanitation regulations have made life along the Nile River more difficult. People are concerned about the water’s contamination with human and industrial wastes.

Africa Geographic Understandings Controlling Floods, Irrigation, & Electricity The Aswan High Dam has allowed farmers to have year round irrigation, so the farmers can grow three crops a year rather than just one. They no longer have to rely upon annual flooding of the Nile to bring water to their fields. The dam is also used to generate electricity for the people of Egypt.

Africa Geographic Understandings However, because the Nile no longer floods, the silt (fertile top soil carried by floodwaters) is no longer deposited in the Egyptian fields. As a result irrigation requires farmers to use chemical fertilizers instead. These fertilizers are expensive and also contribute to the river’s pollution.

Africa Geographic Understandings Fertilizers have caused some parts of Egypt’s farmland to develop heavy concentrations of salt. Land that is contaminated with salt is not suitable for growing crops and eventually returns to desert. Desertification: The process by which soil loses its ability to hold water and the desert spreads.

Africa Geographic Understandings The Niger River The Niger River provides some relief to the people living in the Sahel. The Niger is also a vital transportation route. When the Niger River reaches the Atlantic Ocean in the country of Nigeria, it broadens into what is known as the “Oil Delta.” This area is rich in petroleum.

Africa Geographic Understandings The silt (fertile top soil carried by floodwaters) from the Niger River makes good soil for farming, too. The Congo River The Congo River provides water to villages and towns, water for irrigation, and a fishing industry. It serves as a major transportation route for those who need to go from the interior of Africa to the Atlantic Ocean.

Africa Geographic Understandings Much of the timber from the rainforests is transported down the river, and people travel the river in search of work. Potential Conflicts Between Nations Many who study this region believe that Africa could find itself in the middle of “Water Wars” in the coming years.

Africa Geographic Understandings The Nile River runs through Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt. All of these countries have growing populations and growing water needs. The Niger River supplies the dry Sahel area before flowing into Nigeria. As more water is drawn off upstream, less is available to the countries farther down river.

Africa Geographic Understandings Clean Water & Health Needs Clean water is needed for basic health and sanitation. People who are not able to have access to clean water are at risk for many diseases. Lack of water to wash with causes; Increased frequency of skin and eye infections Increased problem of water-borne diseases spread by parasites living in unsanitary water.

Africa Geographic Understandings Water & Economic Development Some countries in Africa have tried to improve their economies by starting factories. Some of these same countries have paid little attention to the factory wastes that are flushed into rivers and streams causing environmental problems for people living downstream.

Africa Geographic Understandings Sometimes the local factory workers are harmed by the industrial waste that pollutes local water supplies of villages and towns where the workers and their families live. African government officials often ignored these environmental problems as long as the factories made profits.

Africa Geographic Understandings International Cooperation The United Nations (UN), the World Bank, and the United Children’s Fund all have clean water programs at work in Africa. The African Union had a special meeting on African water issues during the summer of 2008. The problems are large, but African countries are working hard with world organizations to try and find solutions.