Why is environmental education important in Africa?

The state of the environment affects everyone in the world, and therefore the discussion of environmental issues, and implementation of environmentally friendly practices is as vital in Africa as elsewhere.

AEFF knows that it is equally important to show their films to communities living in areas where a rich and varied environment still exists (and needs to be conserved), as it is to show the films in urban areas, which are - in many cases - the greatest consumers of natural resources.

In order to promote environmental awareness, it is important to highlight the links between a healthy, diverse environment and a better standard of living:

Wildlife & Wild Places: Heritage and Assets

The wildlife and wild places of Africa are not only part of Africa’s heritage – they are part of the world’s heritage, and as such we all share the responsibility of protecting them, so that they are still there for our children to enjoy in the future. The loss of Africa’s great natural bounty would constitute a grave loss to the whole world, and the total breakdown of the environment would have far-reaching effects on everyone.

But conservation has another vital function in Africa: economics. AEFF’s films illustrate the direct benefits people can gain by conserving their natural environment and their wildlife. Tourism plays a crucial role in the economies of many African countries. No other continent in the world has such diversity and numbers of large mammals. So long as these animals are still there, people will travel from all corners of the globe to see them, thereby bringing vital foreign exchange, business and employment opportunities to Africa.

Tourism is a global phenomenon and is one of the largest industries in the world. It is a major factor in promoting conservation in Africa.

Promoting conservation to create a better standard of living

The ecosystem services (such as oxygen generation by plants, and water catchment by montane forests), which are provided by a healthy environment, are critical in sustaining all life. East African countries are fortunate to still have some areas of rich biodiversity left, unlike many parts of the world where rehabilitation of natural environments is the only option.

However, lack of conservation awareness and an ever-expanding human population lie at the core of most threats to natural resources in Africa. Many people here have little or no access to environmental information whatsoever. Education is the key to instilling a positive attitude towards conservation in Africa by demonstrating the direct link between a healthy environment and prosperity: the existence of wildlife benefits people.