OUR WORLD
Many countries in Africa are impoverished, with many areas lacking basic services such as electricity, running water and adequate sanitation. Yet despite this, in many cases they are thriving nations. The African people rely heavily on their natural resources for their survival. However, these resources are typically overexploited and not protected for future generations. As these resources get depleted, communities will become poorer and more dependent on aid from developed countries, unless something is done to prevent this. What will it take for the World to listen — abject poverty?
Governments view natural resources such as minerals, forests and wildlife as an easy way to generate a lucrative income. As a result, many natural areas are destroyed by mining or logging operations, and wildlife hunting permits are sold to wealthy foreign hunters who view shooting large African game as 'sport'. While these activities may bring foreign currency into the country in the short-term, they are finite and thus not sustainable in the long-term.
Governments view natural resources such as minerals, forests and wildlife as an easy way to generate a lucrative income. As a result, many natural areas are destroyed by mining or logging operations, and wildlife hunting permits are sold to wealthy foreign hunters who view shooting large African game as 'sport'. While these activities may bring foreign currency into the country in the short-term, they are finite and thus not sustainable in the long-term.
Tourism is also a key income generator in Africa, and as long as there are unspoiled natural areas teeming with African wildlife, foreign tourists will continue to visit the African wilderness to view and photograph its natural assets, providing a continual income stream that benefits a far broader spectrum of people as opposed to just a small band of poachers or a handful of corrupt officials.
By creating awareness of these issues and generating a sense of ownership we hope to change this outlook. But we cannot do it alone. We need to enlist the help of the private sector and responsible government officials and proactively create change together.
By creating awareness of these issues and generating a sense of ownership we hope to change this outlook. But we cannot do it alone. We need to enlist the help of the private sector and responsible government officials and proactively create change together.
AFRICA'S ENDAGERED WILDLIFE
Many natural habitats are threatened due to expansion of human settlements, clearing of land for agriculture, or deforestation due to logging or other industrial activities. This in turn threatens wild animals that are dependent on those habitats for food and shelter. With their natural habitat increasingly shrinking, large mammals such as elephants, leopards or other dangerous animals may roam into human settlements in search of food, trampling crops, killing livestock and endangering lives in the process. Wild animals are not only killed to protect life and property, but are also extensively hunted for bushmeat or for their hides, horns, tusks, or other body parts, which are sold illegally. Poaching is often conducted by highly organized crime syndicates who recruit poverty stricken locals to hunt wildlife on their behalf. Consequently, many of Africa's large mammals, including elephant, rhino, gorilla,and cheetah are endangered due to poaching. However, Africa is highly resilient, and this trend can be reversed with proper education and by generating awareness amongst local communities of how they can benefit — both directly and indirectly — from the wildlife without killing it.
Listen Up World!
Africa's natural assets are not only the natural heritage of the African people, but also a natural heritage for the people of the world to enjoy. We would all like our children, grand-children and great-grand-children to have the pleasure of seeing a real live rhino, elephant or lion roaming in their natural habitat rather than in a museum display somewhere far from their natural environment.
But, there are many signs that all is not well in Africa, and the world needs to start paying attention to these signs and urgently take action before it is too late. The African landscape is changing. Vast savannah and grassy plains are being cleared for agriculture or are overgrazed by livestock, resulting in a mono-culture, reduced biodiversity, soil erosion and desertification. Forest ecosystems are being decimated by loggers who destroy key habitat, threatening vulnerable species such as mountain gorilla. Animals are being hunted to the brink of extinction by both locals, foreign hunters and poachers alike. Many of Africa's iconic wildlife such as the rhino, elephant and mountain gorilla are endangered, but these are only the tip of the iceberg. Many lesser-known species that are still important for ecosystem functioning are also endangered.
There are extensive scientific research studies that provide evidence of this, and which highlight the environmental and social impacts associated with the devastation of African natural resources and wildlife.
If nothing is done, before we know it there will be nothing left for future generations — both in Africa and further afield — to enjoy.
But, there are many signs that all is not well in Africa, and the world needs to start paying attention to these signs and urgently take action before it is too late. The African landscape is changing. Vast savannah and grassy plains are being cleared for agriculture or are overgrazed by livestock, resulting in a mono-culture, reduced biodiversity, soil erosion and desertification. Forest ecosystems are being decimated by loggers who destroy key habitat, threatening vulnerable species such as mountain gorilla. Animals are being hunted to the brink of extinction by both locals, foreign hunters and poachers alike. Many of Africa's iconic wildlife such as the rhino, elephant and mountain gorilla are endangered, but these are only the tip of the iceberg. Many lesser-known species that are still important for ecosystem functioning are also endangered.
There are extensive scientific research studies that provide evidence of this, and which highlight the environmental and social impacts associated with the devastation of African natural resources and wildlife.
If nothing is done, before we know it there will be nothing left for future generations — both in Africa and further afield — to enjoy.
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MAKING POSITIVE CHANGE
Through these environmental education and awareness initiatives, we hope to change the way local African communities view and perceive wildlife. Teaching them that rather than viewing their natural resources as a commodity that can generate a quick buck in the short-term, in the long-term there is a higher value to be placed in healthy thriving ecosystems that support a rich biodiversity and abundant wildlife.
TAKE POSITIVE ACTION TODAY.
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CHANGING OUR WORLD
