Deforestation

Deforestation is a widespread environmental problem in Africa. The African continent has the highest deforestation rate in the world and about two thirds of countries define deforestation as their main environmental concern*. While logging is a concern in some countries, the main problem is deforestation caused by demand for agricultural land and firewood for households. Since living plants, trees and forests are an important store of carbon, deforestation releases carbon into the atmosphere and accelerates the process of climate change. Furthermore, deforestation leads to soil erosion and floods, thereby adding to other effects of climate change. While deforestation contributes to climate change, saving or planting trees has several benefits. Not only does reforestation absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but trees are beneficial for local communities for firewood, food, shade, fixing nitrogen and reducing soil erosion.

*Source: Africa. Atlas of our Changing Environment 2008. www.unep.org