THE CASE OF THE SHRINKING LAKE OF AFRICA - LAKE CHAD

This unit is basically about an inland water system (Lake and connected River catchments and inflows). However, it crosses into other study areas such as - the SAHEL, desertification, global warming, climate change as environmental issues. At the human level it connects with problems relating to population increases affecting levels of income and development. As an additional issue it introduces the need for emergency aid programs and for overall plans for development. There is opportunity to search on the WEB for additional information. The shrinking of the water coverage within the Lake Chad Basins is seen through the series of Satellite photographs which allows students to follow the process by remote sensing. An added obstacle to development and living condition improvements is the presence and impact of Boko Haram within the the Lake Chad catchment area of Nigeria and along the borders of the Lake Chad Basins. At the foundation level this unit could be studied at Primary School/Lower Secondary levels as “the shrinking lake”. At Middle to Upper Secondary levels the material could be used to consider issues of Emergency Aid Relief (UN/Oxfam/Medicine sans Frontieres/Plan/World Food Relief/UN Refugee Programmes) . It also introduces research possibilities into global warming, global climate change, ITC/pressure cell changes that could be affecting global climates. Use the maps, diagrams, photographs to encourage in class discussion and debate. The attachments provide the flexibility for in class or home use by providing hard copies. The choice of black and white or colour attachments are provided. While this is basically a study of inland rivers and lakes its potential use is much broader.