The role of African universities in handling climate change

IF 6 3区 环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Walter Leal Filho, Javier Sierra, Frederick Kalembo, Desalegn Y. Ayal, Newton Matandirotya, Cristina Isabel de Victoria Pereira Amaro da Costa, Baba Libasse Sow, Raymond Aabeyir, James Mawanda, Leocadia Zhou, Demba Baldeh
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

African countries are among the most vulnerable and affected by climate change. Comprehending climate change poses a major hurdle for the African population, politicians, and the African Union alike, presenting a substantial challenge for all involved. It is generally accepted that universities and other higher education institutions must play a leading role as drivers of change. Therefore, it is very important that African universities educate students about both mitigation and adaptation measures, develop the necessary initiatives to foster research in climate change-related topics and promote cooperation and alliances with key stakeholders.

Results

This research reports on a study aimed at identifying the extent to which higher education institutions in Africa are engaging in efforts to deal with the challenges posed by climate change. The objectives were accomplished through a mixed method approach, incorporating a review of literature, an international survey, and the inclusion of selected case studies from African universities that have developed successful initiatives. The research has brought to light significant disparities, such as varying perceptions regarding the potential outcomes of climate change and its associated extreme events in African countries. In addition, the study highlighted areas where there is a notable consensus on specific issues. It also offers a comprehensive view of the different strategies that universities are implementing to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation in several areas. Although there is a growing interest in the need to contribute to the joint task of mitigating the effects of climate change and adapting to its consequences, HEIs need to increase their efforts to enhance the work of their professors and researchers. To this end, the involvement of public authorities and other private sector actors is essential.

Conclusions

This article outlines some actions that need to be undertaken so that universities may play a more active role in global efforts to handle the problems associated with a changing climate. There is a notable focus from academic actors on addressing climate change challenges in Africa. In addition, there is a proactive emphasis on utilizing science and research to comprehend climate change issues and offer widely applicable tools for adaptation and mitigation to safeguard both people and the environment. Consequently, it is crucial and time-sensitive for African universities to enhance their expertise in the field of climate change, fostering the capacity to conduct innovative research that addresses the various challenges linked to the evolving climate. This study offers several useful lessons for African universities to replicate experiences that have generated results in different countries and contexts.

Abstract Image

非洲大学在应对气候变化方面的作用
背景非洲国家是最容易受到气候变化影响的国家之一。对非洲人民、政治家和非洲联盟来说,理解气候变化是一个重大障碍,对所有相关方都是一个巨大的挑战。人们普遍认为,大学和其他高等教育机构必须作为变革的推动者发挥主导作用。因此,非洲的大学必须对学生进行有关减缓和适应措施的教育,制定必要的措施来促进气候变化相关课题的研究,并促进与主要利益相关者的合作与联盟。研究采用了混合方法,包括文献综述、国际调查以及从已制定成功举措的非洲大学中选取的案例研究。研究揭示了重大差异,如非洲国家对气候变化及其相关极端事件可能造成的后果的不同看法。此外,研究还强调了在一些具体问题上存在明显共识的领域。研究还全面介绍了各大学在多个领域为减缓和适应气候变化而实施的不同战略。尽管人们越来越关注为减缓气候变化影响和适应其后果的共同任务做出贡献的必要性,但高等院校仍需加大努力,加强其教授和研究人员的工作。本文概述了需要采取的一些行动,以便大学在全球应对气候变化相关问题的努力中发挥更加积极的作用。学术界的行动者将重点放在应对非洲的气候变化挑战上。此外,还积极强调利用科学和研究来理解气候变化问题,并提供广泛适用的适应和缓解工具,以保护人类和环境。因此,非洲的大学必须加强气候变化领域的专业知识,提高开展创新研究的能力,以应对与不断变化的气候有关的各种挑战,这一点至关重要,而且具有时间敏感性。本研究为非洲大学提供了一些有益的经验,以推广在不同国家和背景下取得成果的经验。
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来源期刊
Environmental Sciences Europe
Environmental Sciences Europe Environmental Science-Pollution
CiteScore
11.20
自引率
1.70%
发文量
110
审稿时长
13 weeks
期刊介绍: ESEU is an international journal, focusing primarily on Europe, with a broad scope covering all aspects of environmental sciences, including the main topic regulation. ESEU will discuss the entanglement between environmental sciences and regulation because, in recent years, there have been misunderstandings and even disagreement between stakeholders in these two areas. ESEU will help to improve the comprehension of issues between environmental sciences and regulation. ESEU will be an outlet from the German-speaking (DACH) countries to Europe and an inlet from Europe to the DACH countries regarding environmental sciences and regulation. Moreover, ESEU will facilitate the exchange of ideas and interaction between Europe and the DACH countries regarding environmental regulatory issues. Although Europe is at the center of ESEU, the journal will not exclude the rest of the world, because regulatory issues pertaining to environmental sciences can be fully seen only from a global perspective.
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