A Decolonial Analysis of Africa’s Agency and Positionality on Climate Change

Climate change is a global phenomenon that requires collective intervention if humanity is to survive its catastrophic effects. The effects of climate change are palpable the world over, particularly in the rising of temperatures and sea levels and the snow melt and heavy rains that cause severe flooding followed by drought. It has been argued that climate change is a result, or consequence, of a lack of environmental awareness that is anthropogenic in nature. Of course, there are other causes of climate change that are not anthropogenic; there are natural causes too. However, these debates have tended to be dominated and led by extra-African scholars and activists, not that there are no African scholars and activists on climate change and related phenomena. This has created an illusion that Africa’s agency on climate change debates, and possible solutions, is hampered and curtailed. The article interrogates Africa’s agency on the climate change debates proffered thus far. Furthermore, it amplifies African and Africa’s voices on climate change. More importantly, this article seeks to articulate Africa’s positionality on climate change. The article uses a qualitative research methodology that allows for the interpretation of primary and secondary sources.