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ISSN: 2360-784X |
International
Journal of Political Science and Development |
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International Journal of Political Science and Development Vol. 8(7), pp. 328-336, August, 2020. ISSN: 2360-784X
Research
The Social and Environmental Impact of Charcoal Production: The Case of Mancha, Sere-Esho and Wachiga-Esho Kebeles in Offa Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.
Mesele Woldemichael
Department of Civics and Ethical Studies, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wolaita Soddo University, Wolaita Soddo, Southern Ethiopia. Email- meselew.michael@yahoo.com
Accepted 10 August 2020
Population increase and deviations from the energy ladder model suggest that charcoal demand for heating and cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa will continue to increase through the year 2030 and beyond. Even with evidence of such high dependence across the continent, policies often fail to adequately address the social and environmental concerns associated with its life cycle. The objective of the study was to assess the socio-environmental impacts of charcoal production and to know the economic contribution of charcoal production to local charcoal producer as well as its impacts on surrounding environments in Offa Woreda some selected kebeles. Three Kebeles were purposively be selected by considering the status of wide spread of charcoal production and 97 sample were participated in this study. In the study area where most of the urban population uses charcoal and very little is known about the impacts of the life-cycle of the fuel on the livelihoods of the producers,who endure significant health, safety, and environmental risks for marginal gain. Extensive use of child labor, severe physical injury, gender disparities in income and education, and environmentally unsustainable practices are among the findings that high light the social and environmental impacts of production. Recommendations from these findings follow that high efficiency technologies should be piloted in communities that have the capacity to maintain and test their effects on environmental degradation. In addition, education programs in surrounding and effective land management strategies should be a high priority for both government and aid organizations, as the results of this study suggest. This study suggests a need to redirect policy efforts towards the social and environmental sustainability of an important contributor to GDP. These efforts would be particularly important in light of the new sustainable development goals. The evaluation of these findings along with current resources can help map a ‘plan of action’ for policy and decision makers alike in working to alleviate these pressures on rural communities.
Key words: Charcoal Production,Childlabor, Environmental impact, Extraction of fuel, Social Impact. .
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