In the heart of West Africa, a pressing issue is unfolding, one that’s not just about traffic jams and smog, but about the very air we breathe and the climate we’re leaving for future generations. Issaka Abdou Razakou Kiribou, a researcher from the University of Joseph Ki-Zerbo in Burkina Faso, is shining a spotlight on a problem that’s been quietly growing alongside the city’s urban sprawl. A recent article published in ‘Journal of Urban Mobility’ by Kiribou reveals that road transport and urban mobility in Burkina Faso are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and the findings are alarming.
Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, is choking on its own exhaust. The city’s transport sector gulps down 89% of the country’s fossil fuel consumption, spewing out a staggering 1,034,513.84 tons of CO2 in 2019 alone. That’s like having 213,710 tons of CO2 being produced every year until 2040.
“These emissions are not just numbers; they are a stark reality that we are facing,” Kiribou says, his voice echoing the urgency of his findings. “The transport sector’s carbon footprint is a heavy burden on our environment, and it’s time we address it.”
Kiribou’s research, conducted under the IPCC 2006 guidelines, paints a grim picture of the city’s air quality. The satellite data reveals that the tropospheric nitrogen dioxide concentration in the city’s Central Business Division (CBD) is a whopping 56 µg.m-3, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s annual average exposure standard. This is not just an environmental issue; it’s a public health crisis.
The study’s implications for the energy sector are profound. With the transport sector consuming the lion’s share of fossil fuels, there’s a clear need for a shift towards cleaner energy sources. The findings underscore the urgent need for environmental regulations and climate change mitigation actions for sustainable mobility. This could mean a significant shift in the energy sector, with a greater emphasis on renewable energy sources and electric vehicles.
Kiribou’s work is a clarion call for action. It’s a wake-up call for policymakers, urban planners, and energy sector stakeholders to work together to create sustainable urban mobility solutions. The future of Burkina Faso’s cities depends on it. As Kiribou puts it, “We need to act now, and we need to act together. The future of our cities, and indeed, our planet, depends on it.”