Jesse T. Njoka,

Center for Sustainable Dryland Ecosystems and Societies

University of Nairobi, Kenya

Topic: Environmental Science in Africa

STEM-Africa Bi-annual Research conference on

Advancing African STEM Research, Education and Collaboration

Environmental Science

Broadly the science of the interactions between the physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment, but with particular attention to the effects of humans on the natural environment (wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Environmental_science)

Integrates Ecology, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Soil Science, Geology, Atmospheric Science and Geography

an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems.

Environmental challenges facing AfricaNatural resource degradation and loss of ecosystems

and ecosystem servicesLoss of biodiversityClimate change and climate change impactsBio-safety concernsIndustrial waste- electronic and othersAir pollution and related health hazardsRapid population growth – more pressure on

land/natural resources Urbanization- sanitation and urban waste management

Human Population and Environment in Africa

Land Conversion

Land cover and Land Use Change DeforestationLand conversionChanges in land productivity

Land degradation – an estimated 65% of agricultural land is degraded

DesertificationAbout 5 % of Africa is semi arid lands and is occupied by 22 million peopleSoil erosion is estimated at about 50 mt per , per hectare year or 20,000 million mt of nitrogen, 2000 mt of ph, and 41,000 mt og potassium per year.

Biodiversity Africa is among the world’s richest

biologically – accounting for 1/3 of global biodiversity

¼ of world’s 4700 mammal species , 1/5 (2,000 species) of birds species in the world and at least 2,000 species of fish- more than any other continent

The African mainland has between 40,000 and 60,000 plant species;

Eight of the world's 34 biodiversity hotspots are in Africa

Transboundary environmental issues in AfricaExamples of four trans-boundary issues of importance to Africa:1. Trans-boundary ecosystems and

protected areas;2. Trans-boundary water resources;3. Trans-boundary movement of

people; and4. Trans-boundary movement of

pollutants

New approach

Africa’s new approach to environment: move from looking at environmental issues as a constraint to development to seeing the environment, if well managed, as an opportunity for development --environmental goods and services (UNEP, 2006)

Environmental degradation in Africa-facts and figures

Land degradation most common form of environmental degradation

Africa is the most affected by land degradation – SSA has the highest rate of deforestation in the world (UNEP,2006)

About two thirds of Africa’s productive soils have already degraded (CIDA, 2011)

6 million ha of productive land lost annually (Bationo et al., 2006)

Deforestation - over 4 million ha annually (Bationo et al., 2006; FAO)

Environmental degradation in Africa-facts and figures

African drylands- 73% is degraded and 51% is severely degraded (Bationo et al., 2006)

Declining of marine resourcesDeclining water and air quality

Impacts of environmental degradation Impacts most severe in drylandsAn estimated 40 percent of the continent's

population lives on lands under stress (CIDA, 2011)Declining agricultural productivity-over 50% loss for

some areas in a given year (Nellemann et al., 2009)- implications on food security

Increasing vulnerability of natural resource-based livelihoods – more destitutes due to a degraded NRs, displacement

Aggravation of poverty – about 485 million people affected by land degradation (Bationo et al., 2006)

Facts about science/research in Africa

Low levels of researchLittle scientific output from Africa- Africa accounts for

less than 2% of the global output (ATPS, 2010)Low investment in research by countries- many still

invest less than 1% of GDP (ATPS, 2010; INASP)- low public funding

Existing and new partnerships and networks on higher education in Africa

Association of African Universities (AAU): forum for consultation, exchange of information and co-operation among institutions of higher education in Africa

Mainstreaming of Environment and Sustainability in African Universities (MESA) Partnership- membership is over 90 universities. Developed to mainstream environment and sustainability into teaching and research in universities

Regional Universities Forum (RUFORUM): consortium of 29 universities (COMESA) region. Forum for capacity building in agriculture (research & training)

University Science, Humanities, Law, and Engineering Partnerships in Africa: partnership of 8 Anglophone Universities for sustainable institutional and human capacity

Pan African University (African Union University): launched 2011. Based on existing centres across the continent, seeks to promote science and technology in Africa and a strong link between scientific research and economic development

Specialized centres

i. University of Nairobi: Centre for Sustainable Dryland Ecosystems and Societies- among 11 other partnerships under US HED initiative –focuses on research and development in dryland environments in Kenya

Existing and new partnerships and networks on higher education in Africa

Role of science in implementation of global environmental conventions

Conventions and multilateral environmental agreements.: UNCBD, UNCCD, UNFCCC, CITES, Ramsar Convention on wetlands of international importance, Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, among others

Role of science in implementing global conventions:Scientists play a crucial role in formulation of international environmental agreements ;Through Science and Technology Committees (STCs); Linking the conventions to a diverse scientific network could improve implementation Scientists vital in updating initial evidence and devising indicators to monitor progress

Challenges to environmental science in Africa

Weak science and research capacities in terms of human and financial resources

In most countries, there is disconnect between research institutions and universities –students get little practical science training

Institutional weaknesses e.g. for strategic promotion of resource networking for adoption and absorption of available technologies’ (Masinda M.T., undated)

There is limited interest by the private sector in advancing research findings

Challenges to environmental science in Africa

Most universities are funded from public resources (often foreign funding), and with dwindling government spending university research programmes are affected

Environmental science in Africa doesn’t seem to command high profile political attention compared to other disciplines

Lack of facilities such as GIS tools limits the application of environmental expertise e.g. in policy making and development planning.

Recommendations for strengthening environmental

science in Africa

1. Stronger link between science and practice e.g. Hands-on exposure for students: provision for private/NGOs/Public to engage students

2. Support more African partnerships programmes to replicate success from existing partnerships/networks

3. Strengthen collaborative science, technology and Innovation programmes and projects across Africa.

4. Strengthen public-private sector partnerships to strengthen research and industry link as well as leverage resources for research

5. Support evidence -based policy making in relation to environmental issues-all

6. Capacity building at all levels-community, county, national- institutions influence environmental outcomes.

7. Information sharing through networks & role of media

8. Greater role of Regional Economic Communities in environmental matters

9. Establishment of special environmental sponsorship funds to bridge gap in public funding

10. Policy review- review of education policy to scale-up environmental science as key contribution to sustainable development

11. Policy incentives – e.g. tax incentives like rebates, or tax… for companies for environmentally sound innovations and investment in environmental research

References1. ATPS (African Technology Policy Studies Network ), 2010.

2. Bationo et al., 2006. African Soils: Their Productivity and Profitability of Fertilizer Use. Background Paper Prepared for the African Fertilizer Summit June 9-13, 2006 Abuja, Nigeria.

3. FAO- http://www.fao.org/docrep/X5318E/x5318e02.htm (23 May 2012)

4. CIDA, 2011. Land degradation: Overview. http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/ACDI-CIDA.nsf/eng/JUD-121164957-TLW (28 May 2012)

5. INASP (The International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications). http://eventos.bvsalud.org/bireme/ifse-rio/present/Neil_Pakenham.pdf ( accessed 28 May 2012).

6. Masinda M.T., (undated) . National Systems of Innovation: Implications on Science and Technology Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Centre for Policy Research on Science and Technology, Report no. 98-05

7. Nellemann, C., MacDevette, M., Manders, T., Eickhout, B., Svihus, B., Prins, A. G., Kaltenborn, B. P. (Eds)., 2009. The environmental food crisis – The environment’s role in averting future food crises. A UNEP rapid response assessment. United Nations Environment Programme. ISBN: 978-82-7701-054-0

8. UNEP, 2006. Africa Environmental Outlook 2. Our environment, Our wealth.