Not Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Deforestation in Africa Rising

Not Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Deforestation in Africa Rising

     When you think of Africa, you usually think of animals grazing or savannas. However, the reality

is much different. In Africa, more than “80% live in the rural areas and are subsistence to farmers”

(Ripple Africa) and many species are dying out. Deforestation in Africa is a serious issue that affects

the whole continent. Climate change is a ramification deforestation and is causing people and animals

to suffer in its wake.
     There are numerous sources that impact the deforestation problem in Africa. The root of the

problem lies primarily within the government and the public. The government is not establishing

deforestation laws for the people to follow and the public is taking advantage of the government's

poor enforcement job. The main fuel used in Africa is wood, 95% of the homes in Africa rely on

wood for cooking (Ripple Africa). Each week, around 66 pounds of wood is used by each household,

making the wood supply in constant demand. In Africa the houses are mainly built from bricks, and

require ample amounts of wood to fuel up the kiln (Ripple Africa). To build a small house you need

the equivalent of three huge trees and currently, there are no laws in place that restrict this use or

require replanting after harvesting. Most of the land in Africa is being cleared for plantations, “cattle

grazing, soya farming, expanding cities, dams and logging” (John Vidal). The causes of deforestation

have a larger impact than can be seen.
     The effects of deforestation change the whole ecology of the continent. The population in Africa

over the past years has increased dramatically as well as the stress of demand to provide more

supplies and fuel for not only Africa but for countries outside of the African continent.  Most of the

deforestation is deemed “unregulated and often illegal extraction of timber {and}puts wildlife, local

people and economies at risk” (WWF). The foreign demand is primarily from China, “forests of

Congo Basin are being harvested at unprecedented rates” says the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The

clearance of land is known to ultimately make the air drier, adjusts precipitation and weather patterns.

PhysOrg describes the science behind deforestation in a recent article saying that “Forest loss is

known to have a nearby cooling effect, because without trees the Earth's surface is more reflective

and absorbs less sunlight, and loss of vegetation also makes air drier. These local effects of

deforestation are well known” (Physorg.com). Some animals and plants have become extinct due to

the drought brought on by deforestation. A scientist for Kenya Wildlife Service said that deforestation

is “causing this ecosystem to lose a lot of biodiversity” (VOA).  Another shocking piece of

information is that Pygmies, a small tribe in Africa, which are considered to be “Africa's oldest

human population” are oftentimes “exploited or even enslaved by other groups” (Donald G. McNeil

Jr). Their presence is being exposed, due to deforestation and industrialization. The trees in Africa are

only one important factor in deforestation.
     In the past, there have been efforts to bring deforestation to an end by the government making

laws. However, the government has failed to come through and put the laws in place. An obvious

solution like replanting more than is harvested to create a sustainable industry, thus helping Africa

reverse the negative impacts deforestation has had on the continent. Yet, all the hard work put in

place to plant the trees will be vanished if no laws are being established and enforced by the

government. Deforestation in Africa is a major problem that will take a long-term solution to fix.  

Works Cited 

“Congo Rainforest and Basin.” WWF, World Wildlife Fund,    
www.worldwildlife.org/places/congo-basin. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.

“Deforestation in Africa - Malawi.” RIPPLE Africa,
www.rippleafrica.org/environment-projects-in-malawi-africa/deforestation-in-africa. Accessed 6 Mar. 2017.

“Kenya Experiencing the Effects of Deforestation, Climate Change.” VOA, VOA, 27 Oct. 2009,
www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2007-01-05-voa24-66691992/558661.html. Accessed 7 Mar. 2017.

“Large Forest Die-Offs Can Have Effects That Ricochet to Distant Ecosystems.” Phys.org -
News and Articles on Science and Technology, 16 Nov. 2016, phys.org/news/2016-11-large-forest-die-offs-effects-ricochet.html. Accessed 6 Mar. 2017.
Mcneil, Donald G., Jr. "Deforestation Threatens Pygmies in Central Africa." New York Times, 26
Jan. 2016, p. D3(L). Student Resources in Context,
link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A441360267/SUIC?u=los42754&xid=1d85149a. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.
Vidal, John. “We Are Destroying Rainforests so Quickly They May Be Gone in 100 Years | John
Vidal.” Forests for Climate and Development, Guardian News and Media, 23 Jan. 2017,www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/jan/23/destroying-rainforests-quickly-gone-100-years-deforestation. Accessed 7 Mar. 2017.