Deforestation, illegal waste dumping and Somalia

Most people have seen the devastation and extreme suffering which the Somalia civilians are experiencing currently. What is more notable for me is the environmental challenges which the Somalia civilians are surrounded by, mainly desertification. Deforestation is one of the main causes for the changing climate conditions and extinction of species. Somalia has had an alarming increase in deforestation over the last seven years. Already the country is a savanna with few forests and limited rainfall, but yet people still cut off trees for economic trading and trees are being exported in volumes. What most people do not realize is that although the country’s GDP is increasing there is also an equilateral increase in droughts which lead to water shortage and starvation in rural areas as most communities are dependent in the rainwater for livestock. There is also a reduction in land suitable for grazing as well soil erosion, increase in desertification, and a decrease in the habitat for animal species and loss of biodiversity as well as the increase of runoff. In turn this causes major environmental degradation and affects the livelihood and socio-economic aspects of the society. Somalia geographical location has also made it a place suitable for Illegal hazardous waste dumping. In return this affects the fresh water supply to people and the increase of deaths amongst the civilians living on the coastlines. There has also been an increasing improper disposal of solid waste by the local people this affecting the public health and individual health. All these environmental challenges are caused by the negligence of the human population and of Somalia as yet till today there is no solid environmental protection in existences. Somalia should be an eye opener for many underdeveloped countries to take caution to their environment and to take charge over the exploitation from the developed countries.