We propose five target areas for actions. Regionally specific and multifaceted approaches are key to tackling different patterns of air pollution across Africa. However, in any collaboration, it is important to ensure Africa’s leadership to make sure that local context is sufficiently considered. Additionally, regulation of air pollution emission standards remains inadequate and coordination between public agencies is poor.Īs many regions across the globe have made progress with air pollution control, Africa can leverage existing knowledge, technology and strategies for effective capacity building via international collaboration. Not only air quality measurements, but also resources for data interpretation, are required. Thus, worsening air pollution in Africa is not only an issue for Africa. Although Africa’s current per capita CO 2 emissions are only approximately one fifth of the global average 9, carbon emissions in Africa will probably increase markedly without controlling measures. Combustion sources that emit large amounts of air pollutants also generate CO 2 and other climate pollutants simultaneously. Inadequate attention to Africa’s air pollution may be an obstacle to achieving global climate targets. In fact, for some Africa regions, air quality has been declining rapidly since 1970 or earlier. Africa has also been experiencing rapid urbanization, industrialization and motorization. 8) and with this will come increases in energy demand, waste generation and transport vehicles - all of which are sources of air pollution. Currently, very few measures have been implemented across Africa to address pollution from motorized transport 7.Īfrica’s population is projected to nearly double to 2.5 billion by 2050 (ref. These vehicles emit much larger amounts of pollutants than those meeting high standards and thus - unless restrictions are put in place to regulate these imported vehicles - increased emissions of pollutants are expected. This has led to the rising imports of preowned, old and reconditioned vehicles with low emission standards from Europe, North America and Asia. Currently, urban transport systems are struggling to meet increasing demand. Vehicles are another pollution source across Africa. The open burning of waste is also widespread in Africa and contributes to ambient air pollution across the continent. Without access to clean energy, nearly 970 million people on the continent rely on biomass burning for cooking, heating and lighting, which results in severe indoor air pollution 6 and contributes greatly to outdoor air pollution. Coal mining and power generation results in high emissions of greenhouse gases and nitrogen dioxide in South Africa 4.īiomass burning induces high ozone concentrations over central Africa 5 and is also an important source of air pollution across Africa more generally. For example, crude oil exploitation in Nigeria induces black carbon emissions and particulate matter pollution 3. Owing to distinctly different socioeconomic conditions among countries and cities, air pollution across Africa varies greatly and has distinct regional pollution patterns and sources. Africa is a large continent - second in size only to Asia, and currently containing 54 countries and two disputed territories.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |