PROMOTING INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION IN AFRICA
Abstract
The fact that there is an environmental crisis impacting the earth in a negative manner is hardly in dispute today. The extent of the crisis could be subject to debate but not its existence. The environmental crisis is impacting negatively on every region of the world. This paper argues that environmental information is necessary to solve the environmental crisis. Both individuals, government, and non-governmental groups need to be made avidly aware of the state of the environmental crisis and how they can take responsibility for mitigating the environmental crisis. This study argues that in providing people with environmental information and making them aware of how they should take responsibility, they should not just be made aware of Western-inspired environmental information but also environmental information rooted in their indigenous and local context. This often is neglected as the environmental studies, environmental ethics, environmental science, and other critical environmental information that people receive are imposed from above and based on their non-indigenous knowledge. Environmental information should also not just be what the government parrots to the people, their own local knowledge of what is happening to the environment in which they live should be taken into consideration. This will enable them to take more positive environmental action. The paper finds that indigenous environmental information is needed to promote environmental awareness. The paper concludesthe provision of indigenous environmental information will help to create a better and healthier environment.