A synopsis of Zim’s environment ‘Bible’

five years.
Why the production of a State of the Environment Report?
ZEO Volume III is the country’s third report after the 1992 and 1998 reports.
It covers a 10-year period — 1998 to 2007. This report gives the country and the world at large a status of Zimbabwe’s environment and trends in the state of the bio-physical and socio-economic environment over time.
It is, therefore, a tool for raising awareness. It is a management tool that informs policy, all interested parties, and the general public of their environment.
Its production is in line with Zimbabwe’s obligations to Agenda 21, the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development and other similar multilateral agreements the country is signatory to.
It feeds into the regional and global State of the Environment reports.
What is the production process?
The production of the report was co-ordinated by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
Each of the chapters was written by expert individuals and institutions in this particular fields.
Professor S. B. Feresu, Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Zimbabwe, edited the report.
There is a summary version of the book, the Zimbabwe Environment Outlook Executive Summary for policymakers.
What does the Zimbabwe Environment Outlook (ZEO) consist of?
The report covers all key components of the environment, the land, air, biodiversity, water and its people. It consists of nine chapters.
Chapter 1: Introduction
The first introductory chapter describes the conceptual framework and process within which the report was developed.
Chapter 2: The Socio-
Economic Environment
This chapter gives an overview of the driving forces for environmental change in Zimbabwe.
It identifies and describes the key social, economic, technological and environmental governance issues that have influenced the state of Zimbabwe’s environment during the decade under review.
Chapter 3:
The Atmosphere
This chapter examines the various forces affecting the quality of air and the country’s climate.
The main drivers and pressures of atmospheric pollution are largely emissions of substances from industries into the atmosphere.
Trends are summarised to demonstrate the importance and contribution of each driver/pressure.
Chapter 4: Land
Identifies land resource as the most topical and economic issue in Zimbabwe during the review period.
Chapter 5: Water
The fifth chapter portrays Zimbabwe as generally poor in water resources because of the unpredictable seasonal rainfall, low conversion of rainfall to run-off and high evaporation losses.
With climate change, the country is expected to experience water stress by 2025.
Chapter 6: Waste
Management
This chapter presents the management of waste as one of the most pressing emerging environmental issues confronting urban local authorities throughout Zimbabwe.
The chapter was elevated from the Social Chapter of the 1998 Zimbabwe’s State of the Environment, to a chapter in its own right in this Zimbabwe Environment Outlook.
Chapter 7: Biodiversity
This chapter portrays Zimbabwe as endowed with a rich diversity of life forms that provide ecosystem services such as food, medicine, energy sources, building and craft materials as well as spiritual, cultural and aesthetic services.
Chapter 8: Eco Regions
The eighth chapter refines the eco regions classification of 1998 by applying an objective and repeatable geostatistical approach to delimitation of eco regions of Zimbabwe and compares important physical, biological and human characteristics among different eco regions.
Chapter 9: The Outlook
The Outlook chapter, through the use of scenarios, projects into the future conditions of the country’s environment for planning purposes.
What do I need to know about the environment?
The environment is ours and its status affects our wellbeing, lifestyle and economy as a country.
Its management is everyone’s responsibility; therefore, let us join hands as a nation and fight land degradation, pollution, improper waste management as well as other environmental challenges.
What schoolchildren need to know about the
environment?
Our future depends on you. It is important for the young generation to know the environment and to protect it.
They should help in spreading the news on sustainable environmental practices such as anti-littering campaigns, plant a tree, etc.
What farmers need to know about the
environment?
Environmental degradation and siltation are major causes of concern; soil and water conservation farming practices should be implemented. Mechanical conservation works should be put in place. Stop cutting down trees!
What miners need to know about the environment?
They should ensure an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is carried out before starting a project and miners have to implement their Environmental Management Plans. Communities should never be worse off due to pollution and land degradation caused by miners.
What industrialists have
to know about the
environment?
Climate change impacts are on the increase due to high air and water pollution levels; Cleaner production methods, environmental management systems and good waste management practices should be put in place.
The polluter pays and the cradle to the grave principles should take precedence prior, during and after production processes.
What the public has to know about the
environment?
The environment is ours and it is our responsibility to ensure that it is well managed. Be your own monitor and protect the environment.