Download SS7G2 The student will discuss environmental issues across the

Homeroom
• Go to the RR and lockers – No book
bags!
• We are taking notes in class today so
HAVE SOMETHING TO WRITE WITH
Weds Warm Up Q’s
Write what
country
each
number is
indicating
2
1
5
7
4
6
3
Standards
SS7G2 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.
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
Environmental Issues
• Africans face many different types of
environmental issues
• Lack of water
• Poor soil quality
• Expanding deserts
• Most countries in Africa have trouble having
enough water for people to live.
Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution
of water impacts irrigation, trade, industry, and drinking
water.
• Many countries in Africa do not have enough
clean water even though they have large rivers.
• Many believe Africa is headed for a “water war”.
• Clean water is needed for basic health and
sanitation and those who are not able to have
access to it are at risk for many diseases.
• Some people in Africa also face the problem of
water borne diseases spread by parasites living
in standing water.
• There are 3 major rivers in Africa that supply
water
The Nile River
• The Nile River is the longest in the
world
• The river is used for water needs
& transportation
• However, overpopulation and
poor sanitation regulations have
made life along the Nile more
difficult.
• GROWING POPULATIONS =
GREATER DEMAND FOR WATER
The Niger River
• The Niger River provides some water to those
living in the Sahel.
• As more water is drawn for the Sahel, less is
available down the river.
• Niger River is a vital transportation route
The Congo River
• The Congo River also supplies water for basic needs and
serves as a transportation route for those moving from
the interior of Africa towards the Atlantic Ocean.
• The timber cut from the rainforest is transported down
the Congo River
Water is a real problem
• Less than 50% of the population in subSaharan African has access to safe drinking
water from environmental pollution.
• This has caused a decrease in the country’s
economic growth.
• Some governments ignore industrial pollution
of major rivers and waterways because they
want their industries to make more profits.
(B)Explain the relationship between poor soil and
deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Deforestation
• The destruction of trees and other
vegetation.
• This continues to be a problem in the
Sahel, the Rainforest, and other areas in
Africa.
• Also, animals have been allowed to graze
too heavily in an area and strip all the
vegetation from the soil.
• The Sahel is an area of Africa south of the Sahara
Desert.
• It is an example of how poor farming practices and
deforestation can lead to an expanding desert.
• Centuries of farming and grazing along with less rainfall
have gradually damaged land in the Sahel.
• Millions of people struggle to farm in its poor soil.
• Droughts, or periods of little rainfall, have hurt the Sahel,
too.
(C)Explain the impact of desertification on the
environment of Africa from the Sahel to the rainforest
• The Sahel is one part of Africa that is experiencing
severe problems with desertification, the process of
the desert expanding into areas that had formerly
been farmland.
• As the land is overused, the soil becomes poor and
powdery.
• The winds coming from the Sahara gradually blow
the dry topsoil away, leaving a barren and rocky land.
• Countries that border the desert say there is a
“Green Line” ~ a line that separates the cultivated
land from the expanding desert
Desertification Spreads
• The Kalahari Desert is a desert that is
located in the Southern portion of Africa
and is also experiencing desertification
• Desertification is caused by:
1. Pressure from increasing populations
2. The need for fuels like firewood and
brush
3. The constant grazing of animals have
worn away soil
Desertification spreads
• Another place where rapid
desertification is happening is East
Africa.
• In Ethiopia, people who have lived for
generations by farming and raising
grazing animals like sheep and goats are
finding they have less and less land
available to them.
Links to videos
• Climate video- Africa.asx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8iuyaS16-c&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xel82kovCgI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC9Be3vO5JA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DrZMo03OS0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGGctK4aWGg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1ih9kqZIyk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq2UHiyYwLo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyR9HPAtFGc&feature=channel