Achieving environmental sustainability and growth in Africa: the role of science, technology and innovation

Christian Webersik and Clarice Wilson
Additional contact information
Christian Webersik: University of Agder, Centre for Development Studies, Kristiansand, Norway, Postal: University of Agder, Centre for Development Studies, Kristiansand, Norway
Clarice Wilson: UNEP|Division of Environmental Law and Conventions, Nairobi, Kenya, Postal: UNEP|Division of Environmental Law and Conventions, Nairobi, Kenya

Sustainable Development, 2009, vol. 17, issue 6, 400-413

Abstract: African economies are closely linked to natural resources and rely heavily on agriculture, largely rain fed. Agricultural development has long being considered of secondary importance in African economic development. As the current food crisis shows, it is important as this article argues to rethink not only agricultural policies, but also agricultural practices, and particularly the role science and innovation can play to address development and sustainability challenges. It is predicted that Africa will be particularly vulnerable to climate change and climate variability associated with biodiversity loss, food insecurity, water scarcity and an increase in drought frequency. This article examines pressing environmental challenges Africa is facing and discusses the role of science and technology solutions in meeting these challenges. An environmental performance country methodology is used to identify areas of best practice in achieving environmental policy targets, such as clean water or biodiversity conservation, as well as areas of action. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Date: 2009
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.1002/sd.411 Link to full text; subscription required (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:17:y:2009:i:6:p:400-413

DOI: 10.1002/sd.411

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainable Development is currently edited by Richard Welford

More articles in Sustainable Development from John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Wiley Content Delivery ().