Environmental Issues Across Africa Water Issues SS 7

Environmental Issues Across Africa: Water Issues SS 7 G 2 The student will discuss environmental issues across the continent of Africa. a. Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation, trade, industry and drinking water.

Environmental Issues in Africa • Water Issues: Water shortage & Water Pollution • Extraction (using up too much of natural resources) • Deforestation • Desertification

Learning Target • I can understand how environmental issues in Africa affect the economy, the quality of life, jobs, and wellness of the people of Africa.

Question What biomes do you think would be dealing with water issues such as lack of water?

Remember…. • Much of Africa is hot and dry (Sahara, Sahel, Savanna) • Water is an important but limited resource Mr. Sun is working over time over there!

Limited Water The people depend on the rivers and lakes to survive Water is NOT distributed equally (not everyone has the same access to water)

Question • What other region is hot and dry and experiencing water shortages that we learned about?

The Exception: Congo Rainforest • NOTE: Of course this problem does not effect the Congo Rainforest region as they have plenty of water and have a climate that is very rainy and humid.

Think About It! • How do you think the people of this area would be able to deal with not having enough water? • Hint: think Middle East

How do they Adapt to Limited Water? • People move from place to place (Nomads) to find water • The few farmers that live in dry regions must raise crops that need little water or rely on irrigation.

Question • What is Irrigation?

Question Can You Give Some Examples of Irrigation?

Irrigation A human made way to bring water from a place that has water to one that does not. Countries in hot dry areas bring water from main rivers and lakes (Nile, Niger, Congo, Lake Victoria etc. ) to places that need it. Examples: wells, water wheels, dams

Think About It! • Explain why water pollution would be such a devastating problem to the Sahara, Sahel, & Savannas?

Water Pollution In Africa

Water Pollution • Remember in the dry hot regions water is scarce or limited. • Water Pollution adds to the problem by making some of the precious water available unusable. • The fertilizers and pesticides used for farming are not only damaging the soil by introducing salt to it but also pollute the drinking water making it unsafe to drink.

Affects of Water Pollution • People can get sick from bacteria or chemicals in water • • Chemicals destroy soil with too much salt People can not farm for food Not enough to eat Fish die so people can’t eat them or use them as part of building economy

Mini Quiz • What biomes are dealing with water issues in Africa? • What are the 2 water issues? • What is causing these issues? • Why are these problems an issue for the people of Africa?

Standard SS 7 G 2 The student will discuss environmental issues across the continent of Africa. b. Explain the relationship between poor soil and deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa c. Explain the impact of desertification on the environment of Africa from the Sahel to the rainforest.

Learning Target • Understand how extraction is effecting the environment of Africa • Know and understand the causes of deforestation and desertification and how these problems effect the environment of Africa.

Extraction Deforestation & Desertification

Extraction • Process of removing natural resources from the environment. • Such as trees, water, oil, gold, coal, diamonds, animals ect.

Think About It! • Explain why you believe extraction would be such a devastating problem to the Africa?

Extraction • Removing too much uses up valuable and important resources that may never be replaced.

Extraction • In Kenya they are killing too many animals such as elephants. These animals may become extinct if this does not stop. • In countries like Chad and Nigeria they are drilling too much for oil. The drilling is greatly hurting the environment (destroying trees and soil, hurting animals) • In the Congo they are cutting down too many trees.

Question What is extraction?

Think About It! • What do you think could be done by governments to minimize the problem of extraction?

Deforestation The process of human development destroying forest is known as deforestation.

Man-made Causes of Deforestation • People destroy forest to make: Homes Industries Roads Farmland

Question What is Deforestation?

Question What are the major causes of Deforestation?

What’s the relationship between poor soil and deforestation? The slash-and-burn techniques used to clear trees also damage the soil needed for replanting.

Question What area would most likely be affected by deforestation the most? Why?

Deforestation mostly affects areas with rainforests.

Quick Facts The country of Cote d’Ivoire has lost almost 83% of its forest since 1960. Botswana has lost 13%. Kenya, a land rich in forests and wildlife, has also felt the effects of deforestation.

Question What is the slash and burn technique?

Think About It! • How could the problem of deforestation be devastating to the inhabitants of Africa?

Effects of Deforestation • Without enough trees, rainfall cannot be trapped. • Water moves to the surface faster and causes floods. • Causes droughts • Plants & animals die (some even become extinct)

What’s being done? • Many African countries now have policies in place to protect their wildlife and forest. • Kenya has turned much of its land into wildlife parks, where hunting is illegal. • South Africa & Mali have passed laws placing strict limitations on the amount of forest land that can be cleared each year.

Question What are 2 effects of deforestation?

What is desertification? Desertification is the process of fertile land becoming desert.

Think About It! • What do you think could be causing the problem of desertification?

Causes of Desertification • Limited rain • Poor farming techniques that strip soil of nutrients (fertilizers /pesticides (bug killers)/slash and burn • Extended droughts

Think About It! • How could desertification negatively impact the people and animals of Africa?

Question What is desertification?

Effects of Desertification • Lessens the amount of food available • Contributes to famine

Review Questions Classwork Grade 20% 1. What is extraction? 2. What extraction problems are in Kenya, Nigeria, & the Congo Rainforest? 3. What is deforestation? 4. Give 3 man-made causes of deforestation? 5. Why is the slash and burn technique harmful? 6. Give 2 effects of deforestation? 7. What is desertification? 8. What causes desertification?