Madagascar – Return to the present day
Forest land in Madagascar is increasingly shrinking. According to Global Forest Watch, from 2001 to 2021, Madagascar lost 4.36Mha of vegetation cover, which is equivalent to a 25% decrease in vegetation cover since 2000, and 2.14Gt of CO₂eq emissions. More efforts need to be made to raise awareness and promote environmental education. However, they are not enough. The livelihood of many people, which depends on the forest leads to the destruction of the forest. But when the forest is destroyed, it seems that those who destroyed it do not want to plant trees to restore it so that it can be used by future generations. Many people do not understand the possible consequences of not having forests in the future. Or they know that the forest is important for future generations, but they do not care enough about what may happen.
The effects of environmental degradation are a threat to everyone. Forests are disappearing, water is drying up, the air is polluted, etc. All this leads to food insecurity. All this leads to food insecurity and increases the poverty rate. The weak economy and low development capacity make Madagascar weak to adapt to climate change. The country is among the first and most vulnerable to climate change. However, efforts to protect and restore the environment are not enough, it is crucial to increase awareness activities.
As part of the solutions, children should be informed about the possible consequences of environmental damage, including forest degradation. Environmental education and ecological behaviour should be introduced in order to educate them to have an environmental protection attitude when they grow up. On the other hand, parents should be reminded of their responsibilities towards their children.
To move from theory to action, it is best to make a short talking awareness-raising video simulating the negative impacts of current deforestation and environmental degradation in 2072. In the story, we demonstrate the effects of environmental degradation, forest loss and climate change. Then we show how bad the world is when all the forests are destroyed, the water dries up, the air is polluted and the temperature rises. Furthermore, we mention the benefits of protecting the environment and planting trees. And finally, we develop a better way of thinking so that people become lovers and supporters of the environment and biodiversity. This story is set in a drought-ridden place in southern Madagascar in 2072. It is a conversation between a little boy called Boto and his grandparents, who talk about the evil that will befall them in 2072, 50 years from now.
With no solution to their environmental problem, Boto sends a message to us, who live in 2022, saying:
"To you my grandmother and grandfather, all of you who live in 2022, please change your bad behaviour. Stop polluting the air and water, but clean them up. Take care of nature and animals. Also protect the land and the soil so that they are not destroyed and make sure that the climate does not change. Courage to you! Do not give up! The earth and the climate, where we, the future generation, live, depend on your actions and on nature.
These are our messages, carry them in your heart and reflect on them" Efa Ravelonantoandro
19 November 2022, Antananarivo - Madagascar
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