I hate it! I hate it!! I hate it! Something needs to be done
about it. It seemed insignificant when I was young, but now I am grown up, it
makes a lot of sense, it is very significant and unless something is done, I am
afraid it might be irreversible.
I remember quite vividly a number of years ago as we travelled
to the village for end of year holiday, the scenery on our way was magical and
indelible. You see, our village is within the mabira forest. oh yes! A 300 square
meter rainforest! The canopies of the huge,
towering and wide tree trunks on either side of the road would literally meet
and entwine creating a dark silhouette on the entire highway stretch of the
forest requiring drivers to turn on their overhead lights during the day; the
windscreen of the car would form a film of mist due to the drop in temperature.
The cool breeze and fresh air married with the countless songs of the birds in trees
was always amazing.
Have
any of you have passed through the Mabira forest on their way to Jinja?
One will realize that none of the scenic descriptions I have
mentioned still exist apart from the few roadside trees creating a false
illusion that indeed we boast of a natural rainforest. The canopies of the
trees no longer meet, the sun rays filter through to the passersby on the road,
and the breeze isn’t that cool anymore and no more mist on our car windscreens.
What a sad state of affairs and not only in the Mabira forest but in all other
forests as well.
This is a result of massive deforestation in all natural
forests in Uganda for timber but predominantly for wood fuel; charcoal and
firewood which are a common source of cooking energy in Uganda.
In a survey carried out at Airtel Uganda 2018, 9 out of
every 10 households use charcoal as a source of cooking energy. By using
charcoal, we increase the deforestation. We reduce and exhaust the benefits we
would otherwise get from the forests, such as food, medicine and negatively affect
livelihoods for people around the globe. Deforestation causes loss of
biodiversity as tropical forests are home to many different & unique
species of plants and animals which attract lots of tourists to Uganda, keeping
in mind that tourism is the number one source of export in Uganda. Without
their home, most plants and animals become extinct. The impacts of
deforestation are more visibly noticed with erratic climate change, irregular
rainfall patterns reducing farmers yields hence causing famine, soil erosion
causing mud slides, in addition, burning organic materials such as trees on a
large scale, emits undesirable gases, which contribute to global climate
change. It is estimated that 25% of the world’s total greenhouse gas production
comes from deforestation alone.
The UBOS Statistical report 2016 shows that Forest cover
reduced significantly by more than a quarter between 2005 and 2010. Globally, every
year 46-58 thousand square miles of forest are lost to deforestation, which is
equivalent to an astounding 48 football fields of forests disappearing every
minute.
Uganda’s overdependence on charcoal means the country is
heading for an energy crisis. Take an example of Samanya a resident of Nakasongola, father of four; he
knows the danger that comes with charcoal burning though he cannot give it up
because he does not have an alternative source of income to put his children in
school. It’s his bread and butter and so he is caught between a rock and a hard
place. Samanya’s story is just like the rest of the consumers of charcoal. Due
to high electricity tariffs and expensive alternatives of cooking energy, we
the consumers, especially urban dwellers are fueling the charcoal industry. I
am afraid by the time action is taken; irreversible destruction of the existing
forest cover may have taken place.
Knowing
the cause and effect is one thing. Getting a solution is another. What can we
do?
3 years ago I discovered solar stoves locally known as sigiris
that are manufactured in Uganda by the Eco group company. Energy stored form
the sun is used to heat the volcanic stones that replace the charcoal bricks creating
the heat for cooking. The stove is multi-purpose; can light the home, charge
phones, play inbuilt FM Radios and can also be used for ironing. It is
Important to note that there is no dirt while using this stove, no gas
emissions and it conserves heat for a longer time than the ordinary charcoal
stove. In addition, the beauty of the
volcanic stones is they are durable; replaceable after 1-2 years depending on
usage.
At the current price of a charcoal bag, 6 bags of charcoal
equate to the cost of 1double plate solar stove. I urge each one of us today to
purpose to buy the Uganda Eco stove and encourage just 2 people in our family
to do the same plus purchase one more and donate it someone in the village and
let’s see the ripple effect of re-creating our green country- The pearl of
Africa.
“Never doubt that a
small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it
is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead,
American Anthropologist.
Nothing changes
if nothing changes.
