By Obiabin Onukwugha
Environmental advocacy body, Climate Africa Media Initiative Center (CAMIC) has decried the growing threat of habitat loss and fragmentation across the African continent.
These ecological crises, driven primarily by human activities such as deforestation, urban expansion, and unsustainable agricultural practices, according to the body, are endangering Africa’s rich biodiversity and undermining efforts to mitigate climate change.
It described habitat loss as the destruction or degradation of natural environments, often resulting from land conversion for agriculture, infrastructure, and mining.
The body noted that this phenomenon was leading to the disappearance of forests, wetlands, grasslands, and other vital ecosystems that support a wide variety of plant and animal species.
CAMIC observed that the impact of these twin challenges is not just ecological but socio-economic.
Many communities across Africa rely on healthy ecosystems for their livelihoods, including agriculture, tourism, and fishing. The disruption of ecosystems threatens food security, economic development, and increases vulnerability to climate change, which further intensifies extreme weather events, droughts, and floods.
“We are witnessing an accelerating loss of Africa’s most critical ecosystems, and this is directly contributing to the climate crisis. Urgent action is needed to protect natural habitats before it’s too late.
“Africa’s wildlife, plants, and people are interconnected, and the destruction of our natural landscapes threatens to unravel these connections, with devastating consequences, ” the body stated on Thursday in a statement by Pius Alabi, its Chief Operating Officer.
The body recommended that governments, NGOs, and private sectors, prioritize the protection of natural habitats through reforestation, sustainable land use, and the restoration of degraded ecosystems.
It also said countries need to strengthen laws against illegal logging, poaching, and unregulated land use that contribute to habitat destruction. Effective enforcement is essential.
CAMIC further recommended that local communities be empowered to lead in conservation efforts by providing them with sustainable livelihood options that do not compromise their surrounding ecosystems.
“A key focus must be placed on educating the public about the importance of conserving biodiversity. Media, educational institutions, and environmental organizations should collaborate to spread awareness of the impact of habitat loss and fragmentation on climate change and local economies,” the body stated.
It reiterated its commitment in advocating for nature-based solutions, promoting policies that align with global sustainability goals and contributing to the protection of Africa’s ecosystems. “As the continent experiences rapid development, it is imperative that these advances do not come at the cost of environmental degradation,’ CAMIC added.
CAMIC is a non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability and combating climate change.