2.1.1.3. Environment and economic growth
Environmental management is essential for growth and the
quality of growth, environment directly affect growth of agriculture tourism
and mining sectors. Subsistence agriculture provides food security and
employment about 90% of the population. It also contributes about 45% to the
GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
A significant proportion of Rwanda?s export earning is derived
from coffee, tea, tourism and minerals. Soil erosion can reduce productivity
and growth of these sectors in turns affecting the demand for non-agricultural
in the economy. The challenge is to utilize natural resource to develop the
economy while at the same time conserving the environment to avoid the adverse
impacts of pollution, soil erosion, deforestation and general degradation.
Rwanda?s economic growth as shown by trends in real GDP has
been on the increase, mainly due to good performance of the tertiary and
secondary sector. This could be taken as an indicator that economic growth is
not putting much pressure on natural resources. However, the same growth, if
not controlled, may lead to an increase of pollution loading, which may affect
the environment. Poverty environment initiative/REMA (2007:15)
2.1.1.4. Rwanda environmental concerns of the
international contexts
There are environmental problems that pose a serious threat to
the international community. These are therefore a concern of the whole world.
These environmental problems require the mobilization of efforts and the
collaboration of Nations in finding adequate and sustainable solutions. The
common ones are linked to climatic changes and the destruction of the Ozone
layer.
2.1.1.4.1. Climatic changes
In the 1980?s, the world has been experiencing the problem of
global warning. Human activities, particularly industries and means of
transport emit greenhouse gases which, in turn, cause the warming of the
planet. In order to solve this problem, Nations have negotiated and signed the
United Nations Conventions of Climate Change since June 1992.
It is thus, pointed out that Rwanda also signed this
convention on 10th June 1992 and ratified it on 30th May
1995. Under the implementation of this convention, the country is preparing the
first national paper on climatic changes with the technical and financial
assistance of the global environmental facility after which, it will be
followed by the preparation and adaptation of the National program for
adaptation to climatic changes with a view to alleviating the harmful effects
associated to climatic changes. MINITERE: (2003:20)
2.1.1.4.2. Ozone layer depletion
The depletion of the Ozone layer results in increased
intensity of ultraviolet radiation on the earth threatens the health of living
things. Ultraviolet radiations may cause skin cancer, blindness, reduction of
body immunity and affects or destroys fauna and flora species.
MINITERE (2003). Rwanda ratified the Vienna convention on the
protection of the Ozone layer and the Montreal protocol relating to substances
which deplete the Ozone layer on 11/10/2001. It intends to adhere to all the
amendments relating to the Montreal protocol.
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