In the morning, Father Jacque’s information session reminded us of the vital importance of our forests and awakened our collective awareness of the ecological realities of Madagascar.

In the afternoon, Father Jacques shared with us a model ecological action plan to personalise and add to.

Ecological conversion awaited

In the spirit of the Encyclical Laudato Si, the Pope urges us to praise creation with an adoration and gratitude similar to that of Saint Francis of Assisi.

In this way, living in harmony with God and all his creation becomes our supreme aspiration and a shining example for those around us.

We are therefore called to make our loved ones aware of the ecological cause, to open their eyes and hearts to the wonders of nature that surround us.

Our forests : a precious divine gift 

Trees purify the air by emitting oxygen while capturing carbon dioxide. They release water vapour into the atmosphere, regulating the vitally important water cycle. They regulate the climate and help to balance ambient heat. Forests and vegetation retain water, creating precious sources of fresh water. They combat soil erosion. Trees help to reduce the force of the wind and limit damage in the event of a storm. They provide a habitat and an essential source of food for both wild animals and humans. Forests are sources of raw materials for building houses and furniture. Forest plants and trees are also the guardians of our health, providing humanity with natural remedies.

Finally, forest-friendly farming is a promising way of generating sustainable and substantial income for local people.

The country’s chronic shortcomings are linked to environmental damage

• Poverty : According to World Bank figures, 75% of Madagascar’s inhabitants live on less than $1.90 a day, making it one of the poorest countries in the world. This poverty stems largely from the dependence of households on agriculture, a sector that accounts for 80% of employment and 25% of GDP. Agriculture is vulnerable to the vagaries of the climate, deforestation, soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. For example, it is estimated that between 2005 and 2010, Madagascar lost 2% of its forest cover each year, leading to a reduction in ecosystem services such as climate regulation, flood protection, and the supply of wood energy and non-timber forest products. As a result, environmental degradation has a negative impact on the incomes and livelihoods of rural populations, who are the poorest and most numerous.

• Insecurity : Madagascar is exposed to numerous natural hazards such as cyclones, droughts, floods, landslides and locust invasions. These events have devastating consequences for infrastructure, crops, livestock, health and education. For example, in 2019, Cyclone Idai affected more than 130,000 people, resulting in the loss of 78 lives and damage to more than 22,000 homes. Food insecurity is also a major problem, affecting almost half the population. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), 1.3 million people were in a food emergency in 2020, mainly due to the prolonged drought in the south of the country. Environmental insecurity is exacerbating vulnerability and causing social instability.

• Energy : Madagascar suffers from a persistent energy shortage that is hampering its economic and social development. According to the African Development Bank (ADB), only 15% of the population has access to electricity, and this figure drops to 5% in rural areas.

The majority of Malagasy depend on wood energy (charcoal or firewood) for cooking and heating, which contributes to deforestation and air pollution. According to 2014 figures, each person uses 60 kg of wood per year, 110,000 tonnes per year for the city of Antananarivo and 402,000 tonnes per year for the whole island. 110,000 ha of forest are decimated every year for the production of firewood and charcoal.

The electricity sector is faced with problems of insufficient production, a dilapidated network, technical and commercial losses and unprofitable tariffs. The potential of renewable energies (solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass) is largely under-exploited, even though it could offer a sustainable and affordable solution to the country’s energy needs. We recognise that our irresponsible actions have exacerbated these ills, but the solution also lies in our own hands, in our ability to restore the ecological balance.

Simple but significant actions to preserve our earth

• Meticulous management of our personal and household waste This means sorting our waste according to type (organic, plastic, paper, glass, etc.) and depositing it in the appropriate receptacles. This practice makes it easier to recycle and recover materials, while reducing the amount of waste buried or incinerated.

• Prudent use of water Water is a precious and limited resource, under increasing pressure from population growth, economic development and global warming. It is therefore essential that we reduce our daily water consumption by avoiding waste and adopting water-saving measures. For example, according to the United Nations, a shower uses an average of 50 litres of water, while a bath uses 150 litres. Similarly, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save up to 12 litres of water per minute.

• A drastic reduction in the use of charcoal Charcoal is a widely used energy source in our country, particularly for cooking. However, it has a harmful impact on the environment, contributing to deforestation, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. So we urgently need to reduce our dependence on charcoal and switch to cleaner, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.

• Enlightened management of our electricity consumption Electricity is essential for powering our household appliances, computers, telephones and lighting. However, it is not without consequences for the environment, as it comes mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, which are responsible for global warming. According to the International Energy Agency, global electricity production generated 13 billion tonnes of CO₂ in 2019, or 38% of total emissions from the energy sector. It is therefore imperative that we reduce our electricity consumption by adopting responsible behaviour, such as switching off appliances on standby, using low-energy light bulbs or choosing energy-saving equipment.

• Responsible practice in the fight against bushfire As individuals, we can adopt responsible practices to reduce the risk of fire. Make sure you put out campfires properly, don’t throw cigarette butts or bottles in the wild and respect local rules on agricultural burning.