2024-11-05
22 分钟Madagascar is the second-largest island nation in the world, similar in size to France or Texas. Lying off the coast of southern Africa, it’s home to nearly 30 million people and is a real biodiversity hotspot. Nearly 90 percent of its plants and animal species are endemic, meaning they can’t be found anywhere else in the world. But much of the habitat they depend on is being destroyed, both on land and at sea. On this programme we look at how local communities are fighting to protect their forests and the marine life that that surrounds this unique place. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We'd love you to let us know what you think and to hear about your own solutions. You can contact us on WhatsApp by messaging +44 8000 321721 or email peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk. And please leave us a review on your chosen podcast provider. Presenter: Myra Anubi Reporter: Sira Thierij Sound Mix: Hal Haines Editor: Jon Bithrey (Image: Diver off the Barren Isles, Madagascar, credit Sira Thierij) This podcast was partially funded by the European Journalism Centre, through the Solutions Journalism Accelerator.
People Fixing.
People Fixing the World.
Welcome to People Fixing the World from the BBC World Service with me, Mayra Anubi.
Every week, I show up with new solutions that are helping us fix some of the biggest problems we face today.
And this week, we're heading to Madagascar to meet inspiring communities that have found clever ways to protect their environment.
Deep in the forest and out in the ocean, Madagascar is the second largest island country in the world, similar in size to Kenya or France.
Lying about 500 km off the coast of Southern Africa, it's home to nearly 30 million people, and it's a real biodiversity hotspot.
Nearly 90% of its plants and animal species are endemic, which means they can't be found anywhere else in the world.
There are more than 100 different types of lemurs, about half of the world's chameleon species, and magnificent baobab trees.
So it's no surprise that Madagascar is also called the 8th continent.
Unfortunately, many of these species are under threat of extinction because their habitats are being destroyed.
Madagascar is losing 200,000 hectares of forest every year.
That's 280,000 football pitches.
There are many drivers of deforestation, but the main one is cutting and burning trees to grow food and for charcoal production.
Now, at the current rate, all of Madagascar's forests could be gone in only 25 years, with devastating implications for communities, species, and our climate.
So today, we're going to focus on everyday people who are trying to make a difference.
Our reporter, Sarah Thierry, spent a month traveling across Madagascar to find out what people are doing to improve their lives, while also saving the environment.
In Madagascar, people believe that trees are competing with their crops.
That's where they cut and burn them down.
Most farmers don't know how to keep the soil fertile, so they burn whatever is left of the forest to plant on the fresh land.