I.

State of the Environment in Southeast Asia and Africa

a. Southeast Asia
i. With the issues of increased pollution, poor resource management, and species
and habitat loss made the region of Southeast Asia’s biological diverse struggle
ii. Currently experiencing increased urbanization
1. A natural response to a growing population
2. With increased population, it risked becoming overcrowded,
unsustainable living practices, and pollution.
3. Increased emissions from transportation, congested infrastructure,
energy consumption, and light pollution
4. More residents mean consuming more food, goods, and depleting
resources
5. The solution here relies on the attitudes of both local and authorities
and individual citizens
iii. The region currently has some of the worst cases of air pollution.
1. According to the latest World Air Quality Report 2019, of the top 40
most polluted cities in the world, 37 are in Southeast Asia
2. But with the widespread threat of COVID-19 globally has resulted in an
overall reduction in urban emissions and electricity demand.
3. In the large urban cities of Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Bangkok, nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) levels were reduced with transportation and
manufacturing activities.
iv. There is still the risk of increased traffic
1. New road networks increased the burning fuel

2. Since the start of the widespread threat of COVID-19, Strict lockdowns,

school closures and restrictions on commerce to curb the novel
coronavirus in Southeast Asian countries brought a rare respite from the
transport mayhem that is the norm in some of the world’s most
congested cities.
 v. The increased deforestation comes concerns over the conservation of
endangered species.
1. Animals and Plants in the region are threatened with extinction due to
loss of habitat.
a. Animals: Tigers, elephants, orangutans, leopards, tapir,
banteng, dholes – all of the species within these groups are
either classified as endangered or critically endangered in the
region
b. Plants: Rafflesia, hardwood, Western Underground Orchids, and
Pitcher plant,
2. Damage and coral loss have a devastating effect on the life that relies
upon it.
3. Rise of water temperature and acidity kills coral and other species
4. There are areas that are over-fished, further weakening the delicate
ecosystem
vi. With the issue of water security
1. The world consumes fresh water almost as fast as we replenish it.
2. Poorer regions have inadequate access to clean water
3. Must of the fresh water that is heavily polluted
4. Small-scale local initiatives can help overcome water pollution problem
5. We cannot solve the melting of glaciers if the rate of global warming
doesn't decrease

b. Africa
i. One of the continents hardest hit by climate change
ii. These (3) factors are expected to threaten the health of population and
economies
 1. Severe drought
2. Floods
3. Storms
iii. Their geography also plays a part in their vulnerability
1. Hottest continent
2. Warms up 1.5 times faster than the global average
3. With the rising temperature and unpredictable rains, these will make it
harder for farmers to grow certain key crops
a. Wheat
b. Rice
c. Maize (corns)
iv. One of the biggest threats facing the continent is also one of the hardest for
scientists to pin on climate change
v. Water scarcity is driven by so many factors such as:
1. Population growth
2. Rapid urbanization
3. Land is being used
4. Climate change