By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi
A new study by Afrobarometer has shown that a substantial majority of Africans view pollution and environmental degradation as serious threats to their communities and that a collective responsibility is key to addressing these issues.
The survey, which included 39 African nations, reveals that two-thirds of Africans consider pollution a critical problem in their local environments. It also highlights that citizens are concerned about several pressing issues, including the accumulation of plastic waste, water pollution, poor sanitation, deforestation, and air quality.
According to Afrobarometer, concerns about waste disposal, especially plastic, are widespread, with 27% of respondents identifying it as a primary environmental challenge in their areas. The data shows that plastic and other waste-related issues are more significant in urban settings, where 37% of people named trash disposal as the leading environmental problem. In rural areas, deforestation is of particular concern, with 28% of respondents indicating it as the foremost environmental issue affecting their surroundings. Water pollution also ranks highly, with 17% of respondents listing it as a primary concern.
The findings also revealed that a majority of Africans believe they, as citizens, bear the primary responsibility for tackling pollution. Around 46% of respondents agreed that individuals and communities should take charge of pollution control efforts, suggesting a robust culture of shared responsibility. However, nearly as many respondents believe that the government, at either the national or local level, should lead the charge, with 24% looking to national authorities and 19% to local authorities for action. Only a small minority (5%) assign the main responsibility for pollution control to businesses and industries.
This broad call for collective action suggests a widespread awareness of the interconnectedness of environmental issues and their impact on daily life, with citizens willing to play their part while also expecting governments to step up. Afrobarometer explained that this shared perspective aligns with an urgent demand for more robust environmental policies from African governments.
A vast majority of respondents expressed a desire for stronger government involvement in pollution reduction, with 78% advocating for increased measures to protect the environment. This sentiment was nearly unanimous in Tunisia, where 97% of citizens indicated that they want their government to do more to curb pollution. Other countries with strong support for government intervention include Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Eswatini, and Guinea, with at least 90% of respondents in each expressing similar views. However, in Namibia and Mauritania, this opinion is less prevalent, with less than half of respondents supporting enhanced government intervention in these nations.
The study also delved into the complexities surrounding natural resource extraction, a sector that offers both economic opportunities and environmental challenges across the continent. Almost half of the respondents (45%) acknowledged the benefits of resource extraction, including job creation and revenue generation, which they see as outweighing the environmental costs. However, a significant percentage—38%—expressed concerns that the negative impacts, such as pollution and ecosystem degradation, outweigh the potential economic benefits. This divide indicates that while resource extraction remains a pillar of economic activity in many African countries, there is a substantial and growing demand for stricter regulations on the industry to minimize its environmental impact.
In line with these sentiments, 76% of Africans expressed their desire for governments to implement stricter controls on the natural resource extraction industry to reduce environmental harm. This is indicative of a broader trend on the continent, where populations are increasingly aware of and vocal about the environmental costs of development. As resource extraction continues to play a pivotal role in many African economies, citizens are calling for policies that balance economic growth with sustainability. Afrobarometer noted that this strong preference for regulation highlights an emerging shift in public opinion, where Africans are no longer willing to accept unchecked exploitation of natural resources at the expense of environmental and public health.
The Afrobarometer study illustrates a significant level of environmental awareness and concern across Africa, underscoring that pollution, waste disposal, and other forms of environmental degradation are not only urban issues but are also affecting rural communities in various ways. Furthermore, it points to a notable shift in public opinion regarding governmental responsibility in environmental protection. Although Africans recognize the importance of their role in pollution control, they are also urging their leaders to take more decisive action to safeguard the environment for current and future generations.
The findings are timely as African governments and policymakers face mounting pressures to address environmental challenges exacerbated by urbanization, industrialization, and climate change. Afrobarometer’s research suggests that if governments heed these calls for action, they could significantly bolster public support for environmental policies and initiatives.
In conclusion, Afrobarometer’s study paints a clear picture of the environmental concerns facing African communities today. Trash disposal, deforestation, and pollution in various forms are seen as substantial challenges, while resource extraction remains a double-edged sword. The public’s demand for shared responsibility, alongside a robust push for government-led solutions, reflects a growing commitment among Africans to foster a sustainable future. With almost universal support for increased government action in several countries, it is evident that addressing these concerns is not just an environmental imperative but a political priority for many African nations.