The State of Freetown's Ecosystem

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, between 19 and 23 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the world’s aquatic ecosystems every year. In contrast, the equivalent of nearly 2,000 garbage trucks of plastic is dumped into rivers, lakes and oceans each day. For Sierra Leone, this global environmental crisis is unfolding much closer to home. It is seen in clogged drains, flooded communities, shrinking forests and coastlines under increasing pressure. According to environmental experts, rapid urbanisation, poor waste disposal practices and unchecked encroachment on protected areas are amplifying the country’s vulnerability to flooding, erosion and the growing impacts of climate change. In Freetown, it takes less than thirty minutes of sustained rainfall for some streets to become channels for floodwaters carrying plastic waste and silt. As the world observes another World Environment Day, Sierra Leone is being forced to confront difficult questions about the health of its environment and the future of its natural resources. From overflowing dumpsites and plastic-choked waterways to disappearing forest reserves and threatened coastal communities, the warning signs are becoming impossible to ignore. This piece examines the state of Sierra Leone’s environment and asks whether enough is being done to protect the land, water and forests on which millions depend.