Prevention of Accumulation of Obsolete Pesticides in Ethiopia and Yemen: The problem, the challenges and solutions

Abstract

In a natural environment, we live in a widely complex and intricate system o f biodiversity, under which the fundamental relationship o f living matters is a common phenomenon and where dynamism, harmony and balance continue to thrive. Under such conditions permanent equilibrium is maintained with minimal fluctuations either above or below a given reference level. In such natural ecosystem, plants and animals, including man, evolved over millions o f years in a reasonably predictable and comprehensive community, supporting each other and contributing and playing important roles in the environment, not only in isolated localities but also within a wide variety o f diverse geographical barriers and regions. Man has unfortunately interrupted these harmonious relationships in one way or another for a variety o f reasons. As part of continued efforts to produce food for the ever-expanding populations intent on living away from the dynamic world o f nature, human beings were unwittingly thrown into employing hazardous chemicals and related elements that are foreign, destructive and unfriendly to the pristine environment. Some o f man's positive efforts were taken over by sheer ignorance, greed, and blind enthusiasm, with less concern and less foresight to the environment. Increasing quantities o f sophisticated chemicals and pesticides developed and produced with increasing technical know-how and speed were consistently released into the environment without limit or control. As more chemicals were produced and sold, the producers and manufacturers made more profits, the environment was increasingly affected, in many cases irreversibly. Soil, water, rivers, homes, food - virtually everything in the environment - have become contaminated, polluted or left abandoned when they can no longer be reclaimed or rehabilitated. In some regions animals, including birds, bees, and game, have been decimated. Man, being at the apex o f the food chain, couldn't escape the devastating effects o f environmental pollution that he had inflicted upon himself, whether knowingly or otherwise. The huge dump o f waste existing in many countries, the misuse and abuse of chemical pesticides, remains invasive, widespread and far too much for the planet to tolerate. Many countries, particularly in the poorer regions of the world, were hard hit by the multiple and compounded negative effects, simply because nations and governments are unaware o f the inherent danger o f chemicals reaching them. Some chemicals were acquired in good faith from benevolent donors and others through unnecessary and unjustifiable purchases, sales and inappropriate distribution that amounted to dumping.