To Fuel the Mideast’s Grills, Somalia Smolders

When a bag of charcoal fetches US$10 in the Middle East, and a full ship’s worth is valued at US$1 million, there is no wonder that charcoal is called Somalia’s “black gold.” But what might be good for individual citizens living in a war-torn county is hardly good for the country and its environment. The U.N. estimates that forestation in Somalia has shrunk from 14% of the land to 4% in a decade. In 2000, Somalia produced 112,000 metric tons of charcoal, 80% of which was exported mainly to Saudia Arabia, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates. Though illegal, charcoal exportation is a big business run by criminals and brigands in broad daylight. Officials are powerless to stop the environmental destruction. Instead, they tax charcoal shipments, in a plan that officials think will lead to catching the criminals and confiscating the ships and trucks which carry the charcoal. Charcoal became Somalia’s big export when Arab countries refused livestock over animal health fears. Furthermore, charcoal production is illegal throughout the Middle East. But charcoal is not the only environmental concern since Somalia also suffers from the dumping of toxic waste and the depletion of wildlife. Solving the problems of the environment are low on the list of priorities in a country torn apart by civil war and infested with thugs who survive anyway they can. – YaleGlobal