Intro' Malawi

1
Intro. Malawi

• Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the
  World.
• The average life expectancy is only 38 years.
• Half the population are under 15 years old.
• 9-10 Malawians are farmers.

2
Electricity

• 90 of Malawis electricity is produced by hydro
  electric power.
• Most of this energy is used by industry, or to
  power irrigation.
• Most Malawians cannot afford electricity, or the
  appliances that use them.

3
Energy Use, Wood

• Malawi once had vast areas of rainforest.
• Some of the rainforest has been cut down for
  construction and furniture.
• 90 is cut down for fuel.

4
Firewood and Charcoal

• The wood and charcoal are used for light, heat
  and for cooking.
• The mud bricks made to build houses are cooked in
  kilns using vast amounts of firewood.

5
Soil Erosion

• During the rainy season, soil once held by the
  forest, washes into the rivers.
• This is called topsoil erosion.
• The tree roots hold up river banks.
• Without them, the banks erode.
• Muddy water reduces fish stocks.

6
Rivers clogged up

• Topsoil silts up the rivers.
• Dams for the hydroelectric power stations clog
  up.
• Stations breakdown and the rivers have to be
  dredged.
• Dredging is very expensive.
• Electricity costs more to consumers.

7
Unreliable power

• Power cuts and high electricity bills result in
  businesses going bust.
• Many unemployed move back to the countryside.
• They cannot afford to buy land to farm.
• Instead they make and sell charcoal resulting in
  more deforestation.

8
trees cut down for fuel
top soil erosion in rainy season
Many who lose jobs make and sell charcoal
rivers blocked with soil flow slower
more difficult for companies to trade
More difficult and expensive to produce
hydroelectric power
9
What is the solution?

• Planting more trees
• Educating people to protect the forests
• Charging less for electricity
• Using solar and/or wind power
• International aid
• Fair trade
• Better wages