Episode 22: Precariously Positioned—How Africa Must Balance Development with a Climate-Friendly Outlook, with Dr Robin Attfield

In addition to battling poverty, malnutrition, and disease, African countries today find themselves also having to fend off the numerous perils of climate change. The African problem is unique— socioeconomic development is crucial, but that also shouldn’t come at the cost of environmental destruction. In this episode, Dr Robin Attfield, Professor Emeritus at the School of English, Communication and Philosophy at Cardiff University, talks about how Africa finds itself vulnerable to not only drought but also the flooding of its coastline, among other untoward environmental effects of climate change and civil war. And how it is in the best interest of African nations to develop in a climate-friendly manner. This discussion is based on his paper “Africa and Climate Change” published in Brill’s Utafiti: Journal of African Perspectives. Guest: Professor Robin AttfieldHost: Leigh Giangreco