By Collins Odigie Ojiehanor
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), home to a vast portion of the Congo Basin rainforest, faces mounting environmental and climate challenges that threaten biodiversity, public health, and the livelihoods of millions. Despite its ecological significance, the country grapples with deforestation, climate change effects, biodiversity loss, and increasing environmental degradation that disproportionately impact vulnerable communities.
A Nation Under Environmental Siege
The DRC’s environment is under severe strain due to deforestation, biodiversity loss, climate change, water pollution, soil degradation, and resource-related conflicts. According to Daniel Kalalizi, a physicist and climate activist from the DRC, deforestation remains one of the biggest threats to the country’s ecological health.
“Our country, the DRC, is home to a significant portion of the Congo Basin rainforest, the second-largest rainforest in the world after the Amazon in Brazil. Logging, mining, and agricultural expansion lead to extensive deforestation, impacting biodiversity and carbon storage,” he explained.
The loss of forest cover contributes to biodiversity decline, pushing several species toward extinction. Kalalizi highlighted the plight of endangered wildlife, including the iconic mountain gorilla, as habitat destruction, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade continue to ravage ecosystems.
The consequences of climate change are becoming more pronounced in the DRC. “The DRC faces the impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. These changes affect agriculture, water resources, and food security,” Kalalizi said.
Additionally, industrial pollution, particularly from mining activities, contaminates water sources and exacerbates public health crises. “It is important to note that access to clean water remains a major challenge, as some raw materials are radioactive and can contaminate water, harming the population,” he added.
Soil degradation, driven by unsustainable agricultural practices, further threatens food production, worsening hunger and economic instability. Meanwhile, many rural communities depend on natural resources for survival, making them even more vulnerable to environmental degradation.
Communities at the Frontline of Climate Change and Environmental Injustice
Climate change and environmental destruction have severe consequences for local communities across the DRC. Kalalizi emphasised that food insecurity is one of the most pressing challenges due to erratic rainfall and rising temperatures affecting crop production.
“As temperatures rise and precipitation patterns become increasingly erratic, agricultural productivity suffers. Many communities in the DRC rely heavily on subsistence farming, and diminished yields can lead to severe food shortages. This situation exacerbates malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, compromising their health and well-being,” he stated.
Beyond food security, access to clean water is deteriorating. Pollution from industries and changing rainfall patterns are reducing freshwater availability. “Changes in rainfall patterns, combined with pollution from industrial activities, significantly reduce the availability of clean water. This not only exacerbates existing health issues but also limits daily activities, as communities depend on reliable water sources for drinking, sanitation, and agriculture,” Kalalizi noted. The contamination of water sources contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases, putting immense pressure on local healthcare systems.
Another alarming impact is the loss of livelihoods. With the depletion of natural resources such as fish and wildlife due to overexploitation, many communities face economic hardships. “As natural resources become scarcer due to overexploitation and habitat destruction, communities that depend on these resources for their survival face severe economic hardships,” Kalalizi explained.
Health risks associated with climate change are also escalating, particularly with the spread of vector-borne diseases. “Higher temperatures and altered ecosystems can facilitate the spread of diseases, as they affect the habitats of vectors like mosquitoes, which transmit illnesses such as malaria,” he said.
A Call for Urgent Action
The environmental crisis in the DRC underscores the urgent need for sustainable policies, stronger enforcement of conservation laws, and increased community resilience to climate change. Addressing industrial pollution, promoting sustainable agriculture, and investing in climate adaptation strategies are critical to mitigating these threats.
For a nation rich in natural resources and biodiversity, the stakes are high. Without immediate intervention, the compounded effects of climate change and environmental degradation will continue to drive poverty, health crises, and resource-based conflicts.
As Kalalizi warns, the time to act is now—before the damage becomes irreversible.