By Morgen Makombo Sikwila
Environmental degradation is an increasingly pressing issue. It is caused by a variety of factors, ranging from human activities to natural disasters, and its effects can be devastating. Many of these effects cause further degradation, which means that environmental degradation’s impact works in a downward cycle. Fortunately, there are solutions, to mitigate the impacts of environmental degradation.
As we seek to address the causes and effects of environmental degradation, climate change is impossible to ignore. Climate change is already disrupting seasons’ natural rhythms and creating escalating weather events such as extreme heat, drought, destructive storms, flooding, and more. This intense, increasingly unpredictable weather is worsening erosion and drastically changing landscapes. Floods carry away large amounts of sediment and deposit it elsewhere, leading to a loss of nutrients in the soil. On the other hand, droughts are leading to soil erosion through strong winds and lack of water. Both storms and droughts are damaging in rural, agricultural communities where the environment is a core source of life.
There are many things that serve as both causes and effects of environmental degradation. This is in part because unsustainable environmental practices may help make ends meet in the short term, but they have long term harmful effects on our natural environment. In this way, environmental degradation can feel like a very difficult cycle to break out of.
Challenges like poverty, deforestation, and soil damage are both causes and effects of environmental degradation. This means that when one of these causes grows out of control, it sets off the other causes, and they all grow more severe. Climate change may trigger higher rates of soil erosion and drive rural farmers deeper into poverty. Farmers then turn to unsustainable agricultural practices to provide for their families, the soil is eroded even further, and the impact of climate change is exacerbated. The relationship between these causes and effects can lead to a very difficult life for someone living in a rural area that has been degraded.
As environmental degradation worsens poverty, it drives people towards overharvesting of resources, namely, trees. When the environment is degraded, people are more likely to deforest an area to access the fertile forest soil for agricultural and other uses. Trees may be cut down to sell the wood, create charcoal, or turn forests into additional farmland. Deforestation also occurs when land is cleared for agricultural or industrial purposes or when forests are burned to create space for urban development. All of these activities lead to a decrease in the amount of forested land available, which can have devastating impact on the environment.
When people living in rural areas experience environmental degradation and increasing poverty, they often resort to desperate measures to make ends meet. Many times, children are taken out of school to work on farms, or may be sold as child brides. Young girls are disproportionately likely to experience this, contributing to the education gap between men and women in rural areas. When the environment suffers, gender equality and education suffer too.
As a result of environmental degradation, some people resort to migration, either to urban areas or other countries, in search of sufficient work opportunities. Other who people migrate because environmental degradation has made their homes unsafe. When temperatures increase, flooding and droughts become more common, farming can be an unreliable source of income or even destroy neighborhoods and farmlands. The world is seeing an increase in climate refugees – people who are displaced from their homes because of climate-related events like floods and other natural disasters. Unfortunately, traveling to a new home can be dangerous, and displaced rural people in new cities or countries are especially vulnerable to exploitation. Environmental degradation is a significant contributor to human trafficking.
Soil damage is another effect of environmental degradation. Climate change causes unpredictable weather, which makes the soil compacted, increases the soil density and reduces the amount of air and water that can be held in the soil. Over time, this weather, combined with steep terrain, leads to erosion, which removes valuable topsoil and reduces the soil’s fertility. As the environment is degraded, the soil salinity increases, limiting plants’ ability to absorb water and nutrients. Soil damage can also be caused by human activity like overgrazing and deforestation.
Solutions to poverty, climate change, and environmental degradation exist. When these solutions are applied holistically, they can turn cycles of poverty into cycles of abundance.
Planting trees is an effective way to prevent environmental degradation because trees are one of the most powerful natural defenses against environmental stress. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air, helping to reduce air pollution. They also provide shade and shelter, helping to reduce the urban heat island effect by cooling urban areas. Tree roots help reduce soil erosion by stabilizing the soil, conserve water by reducing runoff, and provide a natural filter for water that passes through the soil. In flood-prone areas, trees can be great natural barriers that protect communities from excess water. Trees provide a habitat for local wildlife and help to maintain biodiversity. Planting trees is a simple and effective way to help protect the environment from degradation.
Regenerative farming is an agricultural practice that integrates methods like cover crops and crop rotation to restore the health of the soil and reverse environmental damage. Regenerative farming is a great solution to environmental degradation because it improves and strengthens the fertility, structure, and organic matter in the soil. With more effective agricultural practices, farmers can reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, promoting healthier microbial activity in the soil. Regenerative farming also improves water retention and reduces water runoff, which helps reduce soil erosion and improve water quality.
In addition to improving soil health, regenerative farming also restores biodiversity by increasing the number of beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife. This helps to create a more balanced ecosystem that can better resist pests and diseases. By reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, regenerative farming creates a safer environment for local wildlife and helps protect waterways from contamination. Regenerative agriculture increases farmer crop yields, which alleviates poverty and prevents farmers from turning to unsustainable agricultural practices in the future. As poverty is reduced, so too are the demands that it places on an ecosystem.
Spiritual renewal is a powerful tool for preventing environmental degradation. A restored relationship with the Creator helps recognize interdependence with the rest of creation. This recognition helps develop a sense of responsibility for the environment and a desire to protect it. Spiritual renewal can also lead to stewardship: more mindful consumption, greater respect for the environment, and more sustainable practices. Spiritual renewal inspires to take action to protect the environment, such as engaging in conservation efforts, reducing waste, and advocating for environmental policies.
While a variety of solutions for environmental degradation exist, it is important to implement them holistically. One of these solutions alone, without the integration of other activities, is likely insufficient to reverse environmental degradation.
*Morgen Makombo Sikwila*
*MSc Peace and Governance*
*BSc Counselling*
*Diploma in Environmental Health*
*Certificate in Marketing Management*
*email address: morgensikwilam@gmail.com*
*Phone number: 0772823282*
