Ghanaian Rosewood Exports to China Threaten Species

Ghanabusiness.com recently posted a detailed account titled "China's Lust for Rosewood Fuels Logging in Ghana's Poorest Region" by Emmanuel K. Dogbevi.

Demand for rosewood in China has grown exponentially over the past 15 years. Ghana is the second largest source, after Nigeria, of rosewood exported to China from West Africa. Ghana has put a ban on cutting down rosewood trees but not on collecting and exporting wood that has fallen on its own. This has not prevented, however, the massive cutting of trees by local Ghanaians who are protected by local politicians. Nearly all of the wood is exported to China by local Chinese companies.

At the current rate of harvesting, it is estimated rosewood will disappear from this part of Ghana in three years. The unrestrained harvesting is having a negative impact on the fragile ecology of the savannah regions of Ghana and other West African countries where it is found.

Climate Change Exacerbates Conflict in Somalia

The Institute for Security Studies published on 6 April 2018 an analysis titled "Climate Change Is Feeding Armed Conflict in Somalia" by Giovanna Kuele, Igarape Institute, and Ana Cristina Miola, University of Applied Sciences of Cologne, Germany.

The authors argue that over the past decade climate change-related desertification has expanded in Somalia, making the local population even more vulnerable. Climate change feeds armed conflict in Somalia by exacerbating tensions between clans; boosting the ranks and role of terrorist groups, including al-Shabaab; and increasing migration.

Somalia: Climate Change and the Future

Foreign Policy published on 6 June 2017 a pictorial titled "Somalia's Land Is Dying. The People Will Be Next: Images from the Front Lines of Africa's Battle with Climate Change" by photographer Nichole Sobecki.

The brief article and accompanying pictures argue that desertification and climate change pose an environmental disaster for Somalia.

China, Africa and the Environment

The Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University devoted its March 2014 issue of Africa East Asian Affairs to the role of China and Africa's environment.  It includes the following research articles:

 --Challenges in Combating Desertification in Sub-Saharan Africa, Which Role for China? by Alione Thiam, Macau University.
--Climate Finance, Africa and China's Role by Ye Yu, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies.
--Cultural Heritage Resources as Environmental Sustainability Enablers within the Sino-Africa Environmental Partnership: The Case of Botswana by Susan Keitumetse, University of Botswana.

China, Africa, and Environmental Issues

Stellenbosch University's Centre for Chinese Studies published in March 2014 a special issue of its African East-Asian Affairs - The China Monitor on environmental sustainability and cooperation between Africa and China.

The issue contains the following articles, which can be accessed online:

--Challenges in Combating Desertification in Sub-Saharan Africa, Which Role for China? by Alioune Thiam.
--Climate Finance, Africa and China's Role by Yu Ye.
--Cultural Heritage Resources as Environmental Sustainability Enablers within the Sino-Africa Environmental Partnership: The Case of Botswana by Susan Keitumetse.
--Engaging the Environment in the China-Africa Relationship by Harrie Esterhuyse and Meryl Burgess. 

FOCAC Meeting: Diplomacy, Trade, Investment, Aid and the Environment

The Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University in South Africa has just released three timely policy briefings on China-Africa issues in the run-up to the next Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing in mid-July. The Centre believes FOCAC will focus this year on the sustainability of the relationship as a result of changing political expectations in Africa towards the relationship with China, changing economic policies in China, and common challenges in addressing environmental concerns.

Click here to access the briefing on FOCAC's political role and function. Click here to access the paper on Sino-African trade, investment and aid. Click here to access the briefing on the environmental challenges facing both China and Africa.

Note that the paper on trade and investment relies entirely on Chinese government data. It would benefit from also drawing on International Monetary Fund trade statistics and independent sources for Chinese investment totals in Africa, which the paper understates by relying exclusively on Chinese official figures.