Environmental officials warn that the widespread practice of charcoal production is leading to deforestation and the loss of economic trees, impacting climate and food.
The charcoal trade, a primary livelihood for many in Sierra Leone, is accelerating deforestation and environmental degradation, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The practice involves cutting down trees, including fruit-bearing ones like mango and orange, leaving land exposed and hindering regrowth. This contributes to habitat loss and biodiversity decline, while also exacerbating climate change effects.
Director of Natural Resource Governance at the EPA, Paul Lamin, acknowledged the limited alternative energy options for the population, noting that only 15% of households have access to clean cooking. He stated that the burning of wood for charcoal releases significant greenhouse gases, contributing to air pollution and harming human health. Traditional wood energy, including charcoal, is estimated to emit 2.4 GT of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.
Experts warn that the increasing demand for charcoal, coupled with unsustainable production methods, will worsen climate change. This, in turn, can reduce future wood-energy supplies by impacting forest health. The widespread reliance on charcoal for cooking, particularly in Freetown and other urban centers, highlights a critical energy access gap in the country.
Why it mattersFarmers are affected as the cutting of economic trees for charcoal production threatens food security and leaves land vulnerable to climate change impacts.
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