1. Environmental Issues in Africa
October 20, 2014

2. Environmental Issues
Africa faces many different types of environmental issues
Lack of water
Poor soil quality
Expanding deserts

3. Lack of Water
Much of Africa has trouble having enough water for people to live
Much of the continent is desert, dry grassland, or semi-dry grassland
Some countries have poor harvests, little grazing land for animals, and little clean water for drinking
Countries that have large river systems (Niger, Nile, or Congo) usually have enough for farming and everyday needs
However, water pollution is becoming a big problem for those river systems

4. Issues with the Nile River system
Most Egyptians live along the banks of Nile River
It is used as a water source and for transportation
The Aswan High Dam, which was built on the Nile in 1970, has allowed farmers to irrigate their fields with water from the Nile
However, it is increasing becoming polluted by both industrial waste and chemical fertilizers
Not only do the fertilizers pollute the water, but they develop salt in the soil
Salted soil will not grow crops

5. Issues with the Niger River system
The Niger River provides water to people living in the Sahel
It is also used as a transportation route
The mouth of the Niger, on the Gulf of Guinea in Nigeria, is a rich oil field
Although this oil provides money to Nigeria’s government, it pollutes the water

6. Issues with the Congo River system
The Congo River provides water for towns and villages in Congo, a fishing industry, and a transportation route to the center of Africa
When trees are cut down in the tropical rainforest, they are transported along the river
The government of Congo tends to ignore any pollution issues with the river because it provides money to the government

7. Deforestation
Deforestation is the destruction of trees and other vegetation
This is a big problem in the Sahel and Congo River Basin
By cutting down trees and other vegetation, it allows the desert to expand
This process is known as desertification
Desert soil is not good for growing crops so people who live in these areas cannot get enough food

8. Desertification
Desertification is the process of the desert expanding into areas that had formerly been farmland
As the land is overused or trees are cut down, the soil becomes poor and powdery
Recent droughts (a period of little rainfall) have not helped the situation
This process is happening in the Sahel, the rainforests of Central and West Africa, the Kalahari Desert, and East Africa

9. Questions 1. How does a lack of water affect some countries in Africa?
2. What is becoming a problem for many of the large river systems in Africa?
3. What is the Nile River used for?
4. Why is the Nile River becoming polluted?
5. What is the Niger River used for?
6. What is the causing the pollution of the Niger River?
7. What is the Congo River used for?

10. Questions
8. Why does the Congo government ignore pollution problems with the river?
9. What is deforestation?
10. Where is deforestation a problem?
11. What is desertification?
12. Where is the desertification process happening?