Environmental issues in Mali

Environmental issues in Mali include desertification, deforestation, soil erosion, drought, and inadequate supplies of potable water. Deforestation is an especially serious and growing problem. According to the Ministry of the Environment, Mali’s population consumes 6 million tons of wood per year for timber and fuel. To meet this demand, 4,000 square kilometers of tree cover are lost annually, virtually ensuring destruction of the country’s savanna woodlands. Quotes Future climate projections for Mali mean annual temperatures are projected to increase by 1.2 to 3.6°C by the 2060’s. Mali experienced at least 40 major climate shocks between 1970 and 2020, with drought affecting about 400,000 persons each year. Climate change and increased climate variability are already contributing to desertification and the degradation of ecosystems on which communities depend for food and water security. The area of Mali in which productivity has been lost greatly exceeds the small pockets where productivity has been restored, and these trends—which affect more than two million Malians—continue. External links Category:Mali