EVER-EXPANDING POPULATION IN AFRICA AND ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY

This chapter argues that the living standard in most underdeveloped regions is exceedingly declining in recent times owing to human activities as a result of evergrowing human population. The unprecedented population growth, particularly in the sub-Saharan African region, is as a result of the importance they attached culturally to human population within the family systems or the society. Perhaps, issues that underlie the environmental and ecological problems are connected to human activities and decline in the value systems because of the increase in population size. Africans believe in the creation of the universe, which man became the dominant being within it, but it does not mean he can misuse the earth where he dwells. Hence, there is a cultural belief in Africa that humans are to act as friends and stewards of nature, respect the natural order in the universe, and prevent any form of ecological destruction. In order to step up the ecological sustainability culture to confront the current challenges of environmental depletion, the chapter calls for the reinvigoration of the existing indigenous knowledge and value systems on how Africans navigate their environment and the entire ecosystem in a sustainable manner through the years.

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