Paper short abstract:

Recent happenings have demonstrated our growing vulnerability to climate change. Africa suffers most from the impacts of climate change crisis. Hence, this paper is a call on African researchers to dive into their own indigenous knowledge for proactive approaches in addressing climate change crisis.

Paper long abstract:

Recent happenings have emphatically demonstrated our growing vulnerability to climate change and its threats to human survival. Although there have being numerous discourse on climate change and the consequent environmental hazards, still a call for proactive approach to halt the envisaged ruin is indispensible. This paper, therefore, is a clarion call on African researchers to dive into their own indigenous knowledge systems for proactive approaches towards addressing climate change crisis. Unfortunately, one major challenge that may likely bedevil this proposal is the erroneous believe that African traditional ideas and practices are fetish. This paper will examine how our growing vulnerability could be addressed through the collaboration of climate science/environmental education with relevant indigenous knowledge systems in Africa. Additionally, this study will discuss how African researchers and their counterpart in the global north can tap into the vital and time-tested resources of African indigenous knowledge system. Due to increasing climatic instability, the study will also create the awareness and solutions for mitigation and adaptation so as aid and enforce resilience in African states. The effects of climate change and environmental hazards on the socio-economic activities in Africans will be also reviewed. In conclusion, the paper will note that environmental and socio-economic effects of climate change on Africans include poor health, poverty, increased migration, food scarcity, the occurrence of crime or violence, home lost/displacement as well as herdsmen-farmers crises. However, it expresses optimism that this proposal will contribute to managing climate change in Africa. Possible ways of achieving these will be suggested.