Environmental Justice in African Philosophy

This book explores environmental justice in African philosophy, highlighting new perspectives that are valuable to researchers in environmental ethics. It emphasizes the involvement of all individuals in environmental policy and planning, as well as the equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens. These principles are relevant to African environmental justice and the global environmental justice movement.

Format: Hardback
Length: 146 pages
Publication date: 08 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the realm of environmental justice in African philosophy, offering valuable insights that will be of great interest to scholars engaged in environmental ethics both within Africa and beyond. By drawing upon African social and ethical conceptions of existence, the book proposes ways to derive environmental justice from various African philosophies, including communitarian ethics, relational ethics, unhu/ubuntu ethics, ecofeminist ethics, and intergenerational ethics.

The central theme of the book revolves around the pursuit of inclusive environmental policy and planning, ensuring that environmental benefits and burdens are distributed fairly and equitably among all individuals and communities. This includes a fair distribution between the global South and global North, as well as between rich and poor, urban and rural populations, men and women, adults, and children. These principles of humaneness, relationships, equality, interconnectedness, and teleologically oriented existence among all beings hold significant importance not only for African environmental justice but also for the broader environmental justice movement globally.

The book is organized into five chapters, each exploring different aspects of environmental justice in African philosophy. In the first chapter, the authors provide an overview of the concept of environmental justice and its relevance in African contexts. They discuss the historical and cultural factors that have shaped African perspectives on the environment and the challenges faced by communities in accessing clean water, food, and land.

The second chapter explores the role of African philosophies in promoting environmental sustainability and justice. The authors examine how African conceptions of existence, such as communitarian ethics, relational ethics, unhu/ubuntu ethics, ecofeminist ethics, and intergenerational ethics, emphasize the importance of community, interconnectedness, and the well-being of all beings. They discuss how these philosophies can be used to develop sustainable practices and policies that protect the environment and promote social equity.

In the third chapter, the book examines the challenges and opportunities for environmental justice in Africa. The authors highlight the ongoing struggles of communities affected by environmental degradation, such as land dispossession, pollution, and climate change. They discuss the role of African institutions, such as governments, NGOs, and communities, in addressing these challenges and promoting environmental justice.

The fourth chapter explores the role of African philosophies in promoting intergenerational equity and sustainability. The authors argue that African philosophies emphasize the importance of respecting and caring for the environment and the generations to come. They discuss how these philosophies can be used to develop policies and practices that promote sustainable development and protect the rights and well-being of future generations.

The fifth chapter concludes the book by highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research and collaboration in promoting environmental justice in Africa. The authors argue that environmental justice requires a holistic approach that combines the insights of various disciplines, such as philosophy, sociology, ecology, and economics. They suggest ways in which researchers and practitioners can work together to develop effective solutions to environmental challenges in Africa.

Overall, this book provides a rich and insightful exploration of environmental justice in African philosophy. It offers valuable insights for researchers and students working in the fields of environmental ethics, African philosophy, and political philosophy in general. By drawing upon African social and ethical conceptions of existence, the book proposes ways to derive environmental justice from various African philosophies, including communitarian ethics, relational ethics, unhu/ubuntu ethics, ecofeminist ethics, and intergenerational ethics.

The central theme of the book revolves around the pursuit of inclusive environmental policy and planning, ensuring that environmental benefits and burdens are distributed fairly and equitably among all individuals and communities. This includes a fair distribution between the global South and global North, as well as between rich and poor, urban and rural populations, men and women, adults, and children. These principles of humaneness, relationships, equality, interconnectedness, and teleologically oriented existence among all beings hold significant importance not only for African environmental justice but also for the broader environmental justice movement globally.

The book is organized into five chapters, each exploring different aspects of environmental justice in African philosophy. In the first chapter, the authors provide an overview of the concept of environmental justice and its relevance in African contexts. They discuss the historical and cultural factors that have shaped African perspectives on the environment and the challenges faced by communities in accessing clean water, food, and land.

The second chapter explores the role of African philosophies in promoting environmental sustainability and justice. The authors examine how African conceptions of existence, such as communitarian ethics, relational ethics, unhu/ubuntu ethics, ecofeminist ethics, and intergenerational ethics, emphasize the importance of community, interconnectedness, and the well-being of all beings. They discuss how these philosophies can be used to develop sustainable practices and policies that protect the environment and promote social equity.

In the third chapter, the book examines the challenges and opportunities for environmental justice in Africa. The authors highlight the ongoing struggles of communities affected by environmental degradation, such as land dispossession, pollution, and climate change. They discuss the role of African institutions, such as governments, NGOs, and communities, in addressing these challenges and promoting environmental justice.

The fourth chapter explores the role of African philosophies in promoting intergenerational equity and sustainability. The authors argue that African philosophies emphasize the importance of respecting and caring for the environment and the generations to come. They discuss how these philosophies can be used to develop policies and practices that promote sustainable development and protect the rights and well-being of future generations.

The fifth chapter concludes the book by highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research and collaboration in promoting environmental justice in Africa. The authors argue that environmental justice requires a holistic approach that combines the insights of various disciplines, such as philosophy, sociology, ecology, and economics. They suggest ways in which researchers and practitioners can work together to develop effective solutions to environmental challenges in Africa.

Overall, this book provides a rich and insightful exploration of environmental justice in African philosophy. It offers valuable insights for researchers and students working in the fields of environmental ethics, African philosophy, and political philosophy in general. By drawing upon African social and ethical conceptions of existence, the book proposes ways to derive environmental justice from various African philosophies, including communitarian ethics, relational ethics, unhu/ubuntu ethics, ecofeminist ethics, and intergenerational ethics.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032006673