The environment, which is considered generally as a free gift of nature, has undergone serious transformation in the hands of man.
This to a large extent is due to man’s efforts to satisfy himself which leads to environmental degradation such as deforestation. The exploitation of the environment through farming, fishing, mining, lumbering, fuelwood, as well as charcoal production has socio-economic, environmental and policy implications to countries, especially when they are not well regulated (Mugo, F and Ong, C, 2006). These activities exert both short and long term impacts on the environment (Peter, et al., 2009). Land degradation is one single mark of man’s existence on earth since time immemorial, from simple tilling of the land with hoes and cutlasses, and hunting with bow and arrows to the present day sophisticated methods of exploiting the environment through ploughing, gaming, manufacturing, fishing, lumbering, and mining). Based on this, the human population has transformed the environment at different levels and at different places depending on available technology and policies.
One area that has seen a dramatic transformation across the world as a result of human activities is the
world forest, from its natural state to transitional zones and in many cases totally transformed. Areas which were in the past seriously forested have been converted into dry or desert lands and desert conditions keep on crippling into savannah areas and other vegetation zones. It is estimated that about 25% of the world’s forest harvested for fuel is converted into charcoal for domestic and industrial purposes (FAO, 2010).
The role of charcoal as a reliable and vital source of energy for millions of people around the globe and one of the most commercialized resources in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be sustained without coherent policies. Almost all charcoal production, transportation, and distribution remain informal and unregulated – leading to inefficient and risky production methods because policies to effectively govern the sector are lacking in many countries. Authorities in most countries around the world tend to view charcoal production and use as an environmental and health problem.
However, if managed properly charcoal can provide a low-cost and locally available energy source that has the potential to become sustainable and contribute significantly to poverty alleviation.
International demand for charcoal is fueled mainly by the Gulf States, and in Somalia alone generates an estimated US$360 million to US$384 million of income per year Charcoal from Somalia is exported to Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates via dhows and small freighters. Militant groups typically control borders and export points along the supply chain for locally produced charcoal, and considerable illegal profit is made from unregulated taxes.
The IEA (2010) states that the number of people in sub-Saharan Africa relying on traditional use of biomass may increase to 918 million by 2030. While at present, charcoal and firewood are used in almost equal proportions, charcoal demand is expected to grow at a higher rate (56 percent by 2030) than fuelwood demand.
Therefore, the charcoal sector may provide the main source of livelihood in rural and urban areas for ca. 12 million people by 2030, up from the current figure of around 7 million. ICRAF (2002) estimated that charcoal creates 200 to 350 job--days per Terajoule consumed, compared to 80-110 for electricity, 10-20 for LPG and 10 for kerosene. Thus, the charcoal sector has an important role in job creation, and with growing demand, opportunities in the sector are increasing.
A Guest Editorial