Environment

Malawi is plagued by many environmental crises, including rapid deforestation, land degradation, water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage and industrial wastes, and siltation of spawning grounds that endanger fish species. 

Because the majority of the population has no access to electricity, high consumption of charcoal means a major loss of Malawi’s forests.  The government is in the midst of trying to restrain charcoal sale, but the reality is that until there is a sustainable solution, such as alternatives to charcoal, deforestation will continue to devastate the environment. 

Land degradation is another major issue. Not only do some of the major crops grown, such as tobacco and maize, deplete soil nutrients; in addition, many people are highly dependent on chemical fertilizer, which destroys the soil. 

Fortunately, many educational initiatives throughout the country focus on educating the population on alternatives to fertilizer, crop rotation, and the planting of certain plants and trees to reinvigorate soil fertility.

Story Workshop's Environmental Initiatives

Find out how Story Workshop is playing a part in environmental education through the following programs:

• Mwana Alirenji, our farmer-to-farmer radio magazine
• Zimachitika, our popular radio soap opera
• In close cooperation with IFMSLP, a government of Malawi program focusing on innovative ways to protect and use the forests in Malawi, we carried out a series of media campaigns on (among other things) co-management of forests, the use of new and old forest products, responsible use of forests etc