The global environmental movements have been in existence for over 50 years, a period marked by profound notable wins.
A good example is the regulation of DDT pesticides. Thanks to these movements, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1970, and in 1972 issued a cancellation order for DDT based on its adverse environmental effects, such as those to wildlife, as well as its potential human health risks. The Stockholm Convention on POPs, which bans DDT for all uses except for malaria control. However, we're witnessing a sudden decline in the voices for nature. The damming of rivers and encroachment of wetlands is going on unquestioned.
Currently, Africa is experiencing a boom of hyped mega transformational projects dotted across the continent in terms of oil exploration, railways, roads, airports and dams. Unfortunately, these megaprojects are extremely complex fields.
We should not be blinded by the projected economic turnaround these projects can deliver, as most of the repercussions are non-reversible.
When oil was discovered in Nigeria in the late 50s, the country began to dream big. It dreamed that the 'black gold' would bring economic upswing and long-awaited prosperity. Little attention was given to the aftermath of the exploration.
However, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report on the degradation of Ogoni land in the Niger Delta in 2011, estimated that it would take 30 years and an investment of about USD1 billion to restore the land.
Now, did the oil exploration bring the promised prosperity or leave a lifetime of misery that could have been avoided?
Similarly, there is a brewing concern over the long-term implications of the Ethiopian Renaissance dam on the amount of water flowing downstream.
Yes, Ethiopians need the 6,000MW of power, and so do the downstream masses that need water. But do we need to compromise the livelihood of Sudanese and Egyptians to keep Addis Ababa lit?
Environmental activism exists to foster sustainability, a balance between people, profits and the planet. We need to support human civilisation without nature degradation or compromising the social order.
-- The writer is a sustainability consultant
