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AFRICA CURRENT PROBLEMS Water Issues Deforestation Desertification. WATER ISSUES Sub Saharan Africa (Africa below the Sahara) is lagging behind the rest of the world in safe drinking water.
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AFRICA CURRENT PROBLEMS Water Issues Deforestation Desertification
WATER ISSUES • Sub Saharan Africa (Africa below the Sahara) is lagging behind the rest of the world in safe drinking water. • 58% of the 684 million people in S.S.A. have clean water. The average is 79% for the entire developing world. • S.S.A. has a 36% sanitation rate. Meaning a pit, bucket, or open field provides the best option for some. • Roughly 3,900 children in S.S.A. die each day, yes DAY, due to poor hygiene and dirty water. Most diseases are carried through dirty water & human excrement.
1. WATER ISSUES • 5. In SE Asia what contributed to the majority of pollution? What contributes to Africa’s pollution? • 6. How does the lack of water affect agriculture? What is the impact on S.S.A.’s economic growth? #5 – In SE Asia, it was Industry & Population. In Africa, it is Human Activity or Natural Environment Pollution. #6 – Soil is not fertile for growing crops. Agricultural industry suffers.
2. DEFORESTATION • Deforestation - the action or process of clearing of forests; also: the state of having been cleared of forests. • Source - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deforestation
DEFORESTATION • REASONS FOR DEFORESTATION • More Agricultural Land • Population Growth • More Space for Housing • Trees Make a Profit! • Heating & Cooking
DEFORESTATION • 2. WHAT’S WRONG WITH DEFORESTATION? • A. Soil Erosion – Soil exposed to sun. Nutrients are lost when rain washes away soil. • B. Water Cycle Disrupted – Water is drawn up through a tree’s roots. Makes climate dry in deforested areas. • C. Flooding & Drought – Forests are not there to absorb water. Drought occurs to the climate change from lack of forests.
3. DESERTIFICATION • Desertification - the process of becoming desert (as from land mismanagement or climate change). • Source - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desertification
WHERE DOES DESERTIFICATION OCCUR? Sahelian Africa Sahel: A semiarid region of north-central Africa south of the Sahara Desert
Background to the Sahel • The countries comprising this region of Sub-Saharan Africa depend more on their natural resource base for economic and social needs than any other region in the world. • Two-thirds of this region’s people live in rural areas and rely on agriculture and other natural resources for income.
SAHELIAN DESERTIFICATION Desertification is when a desert gradually spreads to the surrounding areas of semi-desert. Why?......
Why does the Sahel suffer from desertification? DESERTIFICATION RELATED Increase in cattle Increase in population Deforestation for fire wood Grassland grazed more intensively Roots no longer hold soil together Roots may be eaten as well as grass Less vegetation means less protection from weather Leaves no longer protect soil from weather Loose top soil blown away by wind -Soil Erosion = Loose top soil blown away by wind -Soil Erosion = DESERTIFICATION
“Where did all the greenery go? I hate desertification! I do however love my beard and small jean shorts.”