Show Abstract
Issue -Vol.3(1) January 2017
Article(s)
Wanjala S Nasong’o: Stanley J Buckman, Professor & Chair Department of International Studies, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee. Email: nasongos@rhodes.edu
Abstract
The issue of environmental protection and preservation has assumed great importance and urgency in the contemporary international system, especially following the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. Kenya’s effective participation at this conference saw it successfully lobby to host the headquarters of the newly formed United Nations Environmental Programme, the only United Nations agency so far to be located outside Europe and North America. Since then, Kenya has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving its ecological system. This article explores and evaluates the imperatives of environmental policy and practice in Kenya from the perspective of two competing approaches to the environmental problematic—neo-Malthusianism which argues the case for environmental protection to ensure sustainable development and Cornucopianism which views the environment instrumentally for the utility it provides and seeks to exploit with abandon. The tension between these two contending tendencies has been at work in Kenya, though the neo-Malthusian one seems to be more at the forefront than the Cornucopian one. The article argues that there is urgent need in Kenya to strike a balance between exploiting the developmental utility provided by the environment and preserving the same to ensure sustainability.
Rumbidzai Faith Masawi: Independent Researcher and Research Fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute. Email: faith.sawi@gmail.com.
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has remained under-developed despite decades of development aid, economic reforms and policy guidance. Modern research is converging on structural deficiency in terms of unequal trade, debt and illicit financial outflows as core culprits of SSA’s undersized performance. Meanwhile, the SSA challenge has become more complex with climate change risk. The same has posed a huge financial burden as weak economies struggle with adaptation and mitigation. The paper encourages solutions that tackle systemic inequalities that have propagated SSA’s unrelenting development challenge. It therefore examines partnership based South-South Cooperation with specific focus on India-Africa relations as a complimentary solution. Similar economic and development experience is hoped to nurture more meaningful and mutually rewarding partnerships, thus shepherding structural transformation.
Samuel E Timpo: NEPAD Agency African Biosafety Network of Expertise, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Email: sam.timpo@nepadbiosafety.net
Muffy Koch: Global Biosafety Specialist, Ottawa, Canada. Email: muffykoch@globalbiosafety.ca
Karim Maredia: Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA. Email: kmaredia@msu.edu
Joseph Guenthner: University of Idaho, Idaho, USA. Email: j.falck-zepeda@cgiar.org
Abstract
The increasing global adoption of GM crops is engendering debate on the feasibility of successful co-existence of GM and non-GM crops in Africa. Although Europe and North America have debated and developed co-existence regulations and strategies respectively, African countries are yet to do the same. Co-existence regulations are not specific to the production of GM crops; they have been utilized for many years to protect specific harvests, ranging from colour of maize products and drift of pesticides or fertilizers to organic fields. Product segregation has also been in existence for centuries with producers cooperating to ensure crop integrity for specialized products. This article discusses regulatory approaches to co-existence, current arrangements in achieving product segregation, links between co-existence measures and identity preservation, cross-border trade and the role of regional economic communities in Africa. The article distils policy options that will provide safeguards for successful co-existence and proposes measures for managing the growing demand for different foods in the global market place. Some conclusions are that lessons can be learned from traditional practices to help ensure practical and affordable co-existence measures for new agricultural products. GM crops have been documented as having contributed to sustainable development in several significant ways, including contributing to the alleviation of poverty and hunger, reducing agriculture’s environmental footprint, mitigating climate change, and reducing greenhouse gases. Co-existence is a complex process where a ‘one-size-fits-all model’ will not be effective in all growing regions. Current efforts to harmonize biosafety regulations should explore regionally appropriate co-existence strategies that would enable GM crops, which are in consonance with green growth, to be part of agricultural production systems.
Tinashe Chikowore: Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North West University, South Africa. Email: tinashedoc@gmail.com
Abstract
Climate change is a threat to the food and nutrition security of countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The impacts of climate change are exacerbated by tenuous structures that stem from conflicts, weak institutions, and complex disasters. Urgent mitigation strategies are required to curb this burden. Food production contributes significantly to the emission of gas that leads to global warming; for example, 80 per cent of the harmful greenhouse gases (GHGs) come from livestock production. Dietary patterns drive the food production and thus, there is a need for dietary guidelines to help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Shifting the dietary guidelines to put emphasis on plant-based foods has been projected to reduce GHG emissions, improve health, and result in economic gain in the future. This article focusses on the transformation of dietary patterns as a promising and viable strategy for mitigating the impacts of climate change in sub-Saharan Africa.
Olawale Maiyegun: Director of Social Affairs, Department of Social Affairs, African Union Commission. Email: MaiyegunO@Africa-Union.Org
Angela Martins: Head of Culture Division, Department of Social Affairs, African Union Commission. Email: MartinsA@Africa-Union.Org
Abstract
One of the mandates of the African Union Commission, an organ of the African Union, is the development and implementation of cultural and environmental policies in the African Union Member States in collaboration with partners such as Pan-African Cultural Institutions and the Regional Economic Communities. It was in this context that the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance of 2006 and other policy instruments including the African Union Agenda 2063 were developed. The African Union Agenda 2063, a framework for Africa’s development for the next fifty years, guides and informs initiatives by Member States to assure sustainable development of the continent. The physical surroundings and social or cultural background factors should be viewed as essential environmental elements to guarantee Africa’s sustainable development and should be saved and protected as stated in the AU Agenda 2063. The linkage between culture, environment and sustainable development cannot be overemphasized.
Green from the Grassroots
Aisha Karanja: Executive Director, The Green Belt Movement. Email: communication@greenbeltmovement.org
Abstract
The Green Belt Movement’s bamboo biomass and entrepreneurship project aims at promoting the planting of indigenous bamboo for: conservation, climate mitigation benefits, fuel source and economic opportunities through green businesses for and by local communities.
Marianne Knuth: Founder, Kufunda Learning Village, Zimbabwe. Email: maaianne@gmail.com
Abstract
An article exploring the the inter-connection between personal healing and well-being and sustainable communities and systems from the experience of Kufunda Learning Village in Zimbabwe.
Bunker Roy: Founder Director, Barefoot College. Email: bunker.roy1@gmail.com
Abstract
Illiterate rural women from non-electrified villages have been trained in 6 months to be competent and confident solar engineers. They have acquired their skills through sign language (not the written or spoken word). They have been trained to fabricate charge controllers and invertors, establish rural electronic workshops, repair and maintain fixed solar units and LED Solar lanterns.
Ivan Amaniga Ruhanga: World Wildlife Fund for Nature. Email: Amani.ivan@gmail.com
Abstract
Africa is on the move. The continent is taking full advantage of the available opportunities as presented by international development initiatives such the UN Sustainable Energy for All and Africa Development Bank's New Energy Deal for Africa to turn the image of African states into a more appealing form characterised by reduced disease, more access to energy and sustainable socio-economic development.
Eugenie Drakes: Founder and CEO of Piece. Email: info@piece.co.za
Abstract
Can we maintain a sense of continuity and rootedness in a world of constant change? Can we retain our heritage and values in a world where value is the dominant means of exchange? Can development be meaningful and can it meet the differing needs of diverse human groups and populations? Indeed, can exchange ever be mutually beneficial inside a global economy that remains uneven?
Chelsea Markowitz: Researcher in the Economic Diplomacy Programme, South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). Email: Chelsea.Markowitz@wits.ac.za.
Cyril Prinsloo: Researcher in the Economic Diplomacy Programme, South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). Email: cyril.prinsloo@wits.ac.za
Abstract
While a perfect example of sustainable development that equally promotes economic, environmental and social aspects is difficult to find, there certainly exist good and bad examples. This piece explores approaches to sustainable development in South Africa and identifies best practices and lessons learnt.
Eugenie Drakes: Founder, CEO Piece. Email: info@piece.co.za
Howard Drakes: Storyteller. Email: howard.drakes@gmail.com
Abstract
The basket bridge leads us to the beautiful Kingdom of Swaziland, a landlocked, mountainous country in Southern Africa. At the foot of rolling green hills lives a community whose way of life is still shaped and guided by the inherited practices and ancient values of previous generations. The story of the weavers of Swaziland, the basket competition by Piece, is a metaphor about the potential for hands to touch hearts. As the common denominator in a global value chain, the basket became a bridge between vastly different worlds. The basket was a catalyst of a new, global community.
Policy Showcase
Washington Zhakata: Director, Climate Change Management Department, Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate. Email: washingtonzhakata@gmail.com
Veronica Nonhlanhla Jakarasi: Deputy Director-Climate Change Management Department, Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate. Email: verogundu@gmail.com
Elisha Nyikadzino Moyo: Principal Climate Change Researcher, Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate
Abstract
Zimbabwe is experiencing more hot and less cold days than in the past and rainfall has become more erratic, spatially and temporally. The number of rain days has reduced and mid-season dry spells have increased in both frequency and duration, affecting the countries water resources and agricultural production. Given the fact that the country has historically a highly variable climate and is amongst the most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts in Southern Africa, it is important to articulate robust measures needed to address the challenges posed by climate variability and change in Zimbabwe. This also justifies the need to integrate climate information into Government policies and strategies since climate is a major driving factor for most of Zimbabwe's economic activities. Zimbabwe is taking action to address the impacts of climate change and this include the recent development of the National Climate Change Response Strategy, Intended Nationally Determined Contributions and the ongoing National Climate Policy formulation process. Zimbabwe has also developed a comprehensive four-year programme (2016-2020) in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme to support the enhancement of climate resilience and low carbon development in the country.
Alex Mulisa: Coordinator, Rwanda’s Green Fund (FONERWA). Email: a.mulisa@fonerwa.org
Abstract
This article describes how Rwanda is responding to the impacts of a warming planet by placing the environment and climate change at the heart of all it does. With the global focus now shifting to the implementation of the Paris Agreement, Rwanda's experience of incorporating green growth into its national development vision and economic strategies provides an insight into the impact that well managed climate finance can have. A key aspect of this experience is Rwanda's Green Fund - a climate change and environment fund that invests in the best public and private projects that have the potential for transformative change and that align with Rwanda’s commitment to building a strong green economy.
Knowledge Showcase
Project Contribution: Institute Of Environmental Studies, University Of Zimbabwe And United Nations Children’s Fund, Zimbabwe. Email: jmanjengwa@ies.uz.ac.zw
Abstract
Children are especially vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. Children living in drier regions of Zimbabwe are seriously affected by droughts and food shortages, causing hunger and malnutrition, and poverty. A study on the vulnerabilities of children to the impacts of climate change and climate variability was carried out with 1,229 primary and secondary school children in Zimbabwe by the Institute of Environmental Studies (IES), in partnership with UNICEF, in 2013. This process involved soliciting children’s views, knowledge and experiences on the impacts of climate change, so that the special needs of children can be incorporated into national policies, planning and practices. The study found that children knew a lot about climate change and were concerned about it. Children’s major concern regarding climate change was food scarcity; other concerns included water scarcity, health and educational problems.
Fanwell Bokosi: AFRODAD. Email: fanwell@afrodad.co.zw, fkbokosi@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract
The African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD) is a civil society organisation established in 1996 as a regional platform and organisation for lobbying and advocating for debt cancellation and addressing other debt related issues in Africa. The Africa rising narrative has seen Africa’s GDP growth rates increasing. This to a lager extend has been due to commodity boom driven by the high consumption appetite from India and China. Africa continues to rely heavily on the production and export of raw commodities thus becoming vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices.
Book Review
Gauri Marathe-Pandit: Officer Trainee, Indian Information Service. Email: gauricmarathe@gmail.com
Abstract
The Africa Progress Report (APR) is a leading publication by the APP. As periodic annual publications, the APRs have provided a roadmap for the continent’s social, economic, political, and environmental transformation. APR 2015 Special Issue on “Sustainable Development Goals: Global Goals, African Realities—Building a Sustainable Future for All” is one such example.
Complete Manuscript