African humanitas: ubuntu and the global response to climate change

Abstract

The human dimension within the climate change debate, involving the African ideals of Ubuntu, is persuasive and motivational in the fight against climate change. The chapter discusses the impact of Ubuntu praxis on the environment. It reflects on different forms of inequality that Ubuntu is strategically placed to addressed in the wake of climate change. Climate change has been linked to the loss of biodiversity, flooding, tsunamis and extreme heat waves, among other challenges. Our inclusion of an Ubuntu ethos in the climate change debate is an effort to relate African humane virtues to growing concerns about deteriorating environmental and climatic conditions worldwide. We explore how African humanitas (Ubuntu) promotes and establishes an important environmental ethos. We posit that Ubuntu can serve as a valuable resource in the global response to climate change.