Africa ranks as the world’s second-largest and most populous continent, yet it confronts severe impacts from climate change, putting over 200 million people at risk of hunger. This is partly due to its limited resilience against climate disturbances, attributed to inadequate adaptive measures.

Here are some of the most pressing environmental issues in Africa: 

Decline in Biodiversity 

Africa boasts a rich biodiversity, with 22% of the world‘s mammalian species, about 20% of bird species, and 16% of plant species. It houses eight of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots, notable for their unique species and high risk of ecological vulnerability. Yet, Africa’s natural wealth faces alarming threats, with significant biodiversity losses driven by population increase, expansive agriculture, rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, and illegal wildlife trade.  

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) singles out Madagascar and the islands of the Indian Ocean as being among the most endangered in Africa. According to IPBES, about one million species are endangered with extinction and many more will be in the coming decades. Predictions for the end of this century include the loss of 20-30% of lake species, a 50-60% decline in African bird and mammal populations, and the extinction of African elephants by 2040 due to poaching, along with severe impacts on wildlife and fisheries. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forecasts that climate change will significantly accelerate biodiversity loss in Africa over the next 50 to 100 years. 

Air Pollution

In the past half-century, African nations have experienced a significant decline in air quality, positioning their cities among the most polluted globally. Current levels of particulate matter are five to ten times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limits, a situation expected to deteriorate further with population growth and rapid industrialization. Despite the critical nature of this issue, only 0.01% of global air pollution funding is allocated to Africa. In 2019, air pollution emerged as the continent’s second-highest risk factor for death, affecting its population of over 1.2 billion.

Notably, Africa is home to five of the ten countries worldwide most afflicted by ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution. The primary sources of air pollution in Africa include ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, sulfates, soot, and organic carbon emissions from the gas industry and urban areas, contributing to over 300,000 deaths annually. Air pollution in Africa represents a critical concern not only for the continent’s inhabitants but also for the global community, as it hinders efforts to achieve climate goals and address climate emergencies.

Water Pollution 

African communities face a serious threat from contaminated water. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) reports that approximately 115 people in Africa die each hour from diseases caused by poor hygiene, insufficient sanitation, and polluted water. Despite this critical issue, 418 million people on the continent still lack access to basic drinking water services, 779 million are without basic sanitation services (including 208 million who resort to open defecation), and 839 million do not have access to basic hygiene services. Water is essential for health and well-being, yet countless communities across Africa lack clean and safe water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene.  

Freshwater sources are frequently contaminated with viruses, bacteria, parasites, and pollutants, leading to a crisis of “water scarcity.” This contamination facilitates the spread of tropical diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and diarrhea. Other common diseases include trachoma, an eye infection that can lead to blindness, as well as the plague and typhus. To meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets related to water in Africa, a 12-fold increase in the progress rate for safely managed drinking water is needed, along with a 20-fold increase for safely managed sanitation, and a 42-fold increase for basic hygiene services.  

Deforestation

Deforestation continues to pose a significant threat to Africa’s diverse landscapes. Approximately 14% of the global forest area in Africa is experiencing a decline, primarily due to human activities converting forest land for economic purposes. From 2015 to 2020, the continent saw an alarming rate of deforestation, resulting in the loss of 4.4 million hectares of forest each year. This trend predominantly affects the eastern and southern regions, where deforestation occurs at a rate of 2.2 million hectares annually. Meanwhile, Western and Central Africa experienced a loss of approximately 1.9 million hectares of forest per year during the same timeframe. Although there was a slight decrease in deforestation rates between 2015 and 2020, the overall trend has escalated since 1990, marking Africa as the region with the highest rate of forest area loss globally. 

Deforestation in Africa is driven by various factors, including the cultivation of cocoa, a major export crop for countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. These countries alone are responsible for producing about three-quarters of the world’s cocoa, leading to significant alterations in soil structure and stability. The rapid pace of deforestation exacerbates soil erosion, leading to flash floods during heavy rainfall due to the lack of ground cover. Moreover, the removal of forest cover results in quicker runoff into streams, causing rivers to swell and heightening the risk of floods affecting villages, cities, and farmlands, especially in the rainy season.

Oil Spills 

Africa’s top oil producer is Nigeria, where over 300 million litres of crude oil are produced daily and are thought to be the source of 70% of the country’s earnings. However, since the discovery of petroleum in Nigeria over six decades ago, the country has grappled with frequent oil spills in its primary economic sector. It’s estimated that the Niger Delta region alone suffers from approximately 240,000 barrels of crude oil spillage annually, causing significant harm to agriculture, water sources, and the air through the release of toxic chemicals.  

Annually, the Niger Delta witnesses over 40 million litres of crude oil spillage, resulting in loss of life and extensive damage to the ecosystem. A report from the Journal of Health and Pollution in 2018 highlighted that, between 1976 and 2014, the oil-rich area experienced over 12,000 oil spill incidents. A majority of these spills were attributed to accidents involving tankers and the deterioration of pipelines. Research examining the correlation between environmental pollution and mortality rates among infants and children in the Niger Delta has shown dire consequences. Oil spills occurring within a 10-kilometre radius of a mother’s residence have been linked to increased neonatal mortality rates and adverse health effects on surviving children. 

In facing the environmental crises that loom over Africa in 2024, it’s not just about acknowledging the issues; it’s about mobilizing for change. With climate change threatening millions, biodiversity on the brink, air and water quality deteriorating, forests vanishing, and oil spills wreaking havoc, the time for decisive action is now.