UACE s101 General paper section A topics: Definition, causes, effects and solutions to environmental degradation in Uganda

Definition of environmental degradation

Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil, the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife or the decline in the production value of the available renewable and nonrenewable resources.

The importance of addressing environmental degradation lies is safeguarding biodiversity, mitigating climate change and ensuring clean air and water for future generation. For secure and sustainable future, it is essential to understand the causes and effect of environmental degradation and work collectively to stop it.

 

Causes of environmental degradation in Uganda

Population growth is one of the major causes of environmental degradation. Population growth is the increase in the number of people living in a particular region or world as whole. The population of the world in September 2021 was about 8 billion people. The annual growth rate about 1.05% or 83 million people annually. This high population directly affects environmental degradation because it puts high demand on environmental resources such as water, food and energy leading to overexploitation and depletion of nature resources. Secondly, larger population growth contributes to expansion of cities and natural areas are converted into residential and industrial areas. Lastly Large population generally generate more wastes and pollutants leading to air and water pollution.

Urbanization is another cause of environmental degradation. Urbanization is a process of increasing proportion of the population that live in towns and cities. Typically, urban areas have high population densities and greater population development. Urbanization has significant impact on the environment such as habitat destruction including forests, wetlands and green spaces resulting in the loss of biodiversity. And destruction of ecosystems. Urbanization also led to land use changes converting agricultural land and open spaces into built up areas. This can lead to soil degradation and decreased agricultural productivity. Urbanization also led to pollution due to increased industrialization, regular motor activities

Waste generation is another cause of environmental degradation. High population in urban areas result in increased waste generation straining waste management systems leading land pollution.

Industrialization is another cause of pollution. Industrialization is development and growth of manufacturing industries characterized by adoption and advancement of industrial processes and increased production capacities. Industrialization contributes to environmental degradation through release of poisonous industrial wastes that end up and pollute land, water and air. It also leads to over exploitation and depletion of natural resources such fossil fuel and other minerals. This often led to destruction of ecosystem, deforestation and loss of biodiversity.

Improved health care has led to population growth and consequently overexploitation and depletion of natural resources of natural resource such deforestation

Corruption in government which fail to impose laws that protect the environment.  This leads to cases such deforestation, overfishing and use of harmful fishing method and deplete the lake of fish. Also, Poaching has led to extinction of valuable wildlife species such as Rhinos in Murchison National Park.

Natural phenomena such as natural fires, flooding, overgrazing by wildlife, pests and diseases and volcanic eruption have led to environmental degradation

Mining and quarrying is another factor that leads to environmental degradation. These not only deplete the nonrenewable natural resources but also h leave deep hollows that may harbor disease causing vectors e.g. Kilembe mine.

Political instability such as in Kasese and other parts of the world lead environmental due to destruction of vegetation and natural habitats by explosives

Effects of environmental degradation in Uganda

Ozone depression is one of the effects of environmental degradation. The ozone layer protects the Earth against most ultraviolet (UV) radiations coming from the sun. Too much exposure to UV rays can cause sunburn, skin cancer, and glaucoma.

Greenhouse gas emission such as carbon dioxide led to global warming or gradual increase in the earth’s temperature. This leads to melting of ice from the mountains where waterish stored causing flooding of rivers and lakes which leads to death and displacement of people and wildlife.

Environmental degradation has an economic impact because decreased soil productivity in agriculture and depletion of nonrenewable nature resources leads to increased costs of production and consequently inflation

Environmental degradation leads to loss of biodiversity through destruction of natural habitats such forests and water and air pollution.

Environmental degradation leads to losses for tourist industry through destruction of natural tourist attractions such as forests, glaciers, snow on the top mountains like Mountain Rwenzori. It also leads to extinction of

Environmental degradation impact on human health because pollution leads to high prevalence of diseases like asthma and infections such as cholera. There is also disappearance of forests that natural sources of herbs that would treat diseases like malaria

Environmental degradation has led to shortage of fuel such wood and fossil fuel and potable water.

Environmental degradation leads to Loss of water catchment areas leading to the disappearance of stream, shallow wells and swamps in places in Arua, Nakasogola and so on.

 

Solution to environmental degradation in Uganda

Whole ecosystems might be wiped out in long run the causes of environmental degradation are not addressed effectively. Some of the suggested solutions are

Use alternative forms of energy such as solar energy and hydroelectricity to reduce pressures on forests and fossil fuel.

Plant trees more trees to reverse deforestation and to reverse the effects of greenhouse emission

Alternative use of massive modes of transport such as electric trains and buses to reduce on the number of vehicles on the road and hence carbon dioxide emission

Energy conservation strategies

Dispose of our wastes appropriately

Use of fuel-efficient vehicles to reduce fuel consumption

Education of the masses and children in school to understand the fundamental principle.

Recycling of wastes

Fine and punishment for illegal dumping

Reduce and reused waste generation

In conclusion it is every one obligation to conserve the environment for the future generation.

Please send your additions/ comments/corrections/suggestions  in the comment section

Thank you

Dr. Bbosa Science