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Clime04


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Towards decolonizing climate science: the place of African indigenous knowledge I 
Convenor:
Geoffrey Nwaka (Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria)
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Format:
Panel
Stream:
Climate change
Location:
Room 1199
Sessions:
Friday 10 June, -
Time zone: Europe/Berlin

Short Abstract:

Climate science needs to integrate the traditional knowledge of local communities in Africa. These communities should partner with scientists to co-produce updated knowledge for climate risk management. Researchers should recognize epistemic diversity, and the need for inter-cultural dialogue.

Long Abstract:

Africa contributes least to but suffers the most from the negative impacts of climate change. How can the continent partner with Europe to cope better with this emergency? We argue that Africa should search within its own knowledge systems for appropriate ideas and approaches. Most traditional African societies have deeply entrenched ideas and practices about conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources because their livelihood depends largely on the land, and the stability of the ecosystem. They have over the years developed intricate systems of forecasting weather systems in order to prevent and mitigate natural disasters; traditional techniques of soil management, pest and disease control, etc that have ensured traditional resilience. This panel recognizes that the unprecedented scale of climate change today may have undermined the reliability of many traditional indicators for predicting climate variability, and techniques for preventing and adapting to climate induced natural disasters. We invite papers that explore how those who hold and use traditional knowledge can partner with scientists and practitioners to co-produce updated knowledge for better climate risk management; how to promote a more collaborative and trans-disciplinary approach to climate research that would ensure that traditional and modern knowledge systems complement and enrich each other; how indigenous knowledge may be better preserved in a form that can be used by policy makers and development practitioners to compare with, and apply in other contexts. How can researchers and the development community in Europe and Africa tap into the vital and time-tested resource of indigenous knowledge?

Accepted papers:

Session 1 Friday 10 June, 2022, -
Panel Video visible to paid-up delegates