8-1 Discussion: What Does the Future Hold?
The state of Eritrea is one nation that is presently dealing with serious environmental degradation. Over
5 million people, some of the lowest people in Africa, call the State of Eritrea home, according to the
United Nations. The erratic climate as well as civil unrest are associated with Eritrea's economic ruin
(BBC, 2023). The economy of this nation, which is located in the eastern part of the Horn of Africa, is
heavily reliant on agriculture. and as a result, have been beset by environmental issues like overgrazing
and deforestation. Due to soil erosion brought on by these environmental issues, significant land has
been lost, and as a result, deserts have developed in some places (Independent Evaluation Office Global
Environment Facility, 2014). Environmental degradation is a result of a variety of variables, including
weather and climate as well as direct human activity. The environment in Eritrea is erratic, with periods
of prolonged drought followed by flash floods and a rise in sea level brought on by global warming. The
degradation of the environment in Eritrea is also a result of all these indirect causes. Eritrea's vegetation
and forest resources are severely threatened due to the population's heavy reliance on the forest cover
for building, farming, and firewood (Convention on Biological Diversity, 2015). During the dry season, a
variety of trees are exploited for the use of hay, including Balanites aegyptiaca, Faidherbia albida, and
Terminalia browniib (Convention on Biological Diversity, 2015). Additionally, there are other trees that
are exploited as they are harvested for incense and gums.
References:
BBC. (2023, January 13). Eritrea country profile. BBC News. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13349078
Independent Evaluation Office Global Environment Facility. (2014, December). Gef Country Portfolio
Evaluation: Eritrea (1992–2012) - world bank. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from
https://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/522861468188333286/pdf/99357-WP-
Box393198B-PUBLIC-GEF-Country-Portfolio-Evaluation-CPE-Eriteria.pdf
Convention on Biological Diversity. (2015, November). Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action
Plan for Eritrea (2014-2020). Retrieved February 23, 2023, from
https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/er/er-nbsap-v2-en.pdf
