Climate Perspectives from the Congo Basin

Cover -- Half Title -- Series Page -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Contents -- Introduction -- 1. The Novelty and Immensity of the Climate Issue and Social Inertia -- 2. International Good Political Intentions: Difficulties to Implement Them in Central Africa -- 3. How Can Central Africa Successfully Play Its Global Political Role in Managing CO2 and Other GHGs? -- 4. Climate Change: Adaptation and Mitigation in Central Africa and DRC -- 5. De-carbonating Developed Economies and the Right to Development -- 6. Biodiversity Erosion, Climate Change and Life's Purpose

This book considers the global question of climate change from local perspectives in the context of Central Africa. Bila-Isia Inogwabini examines attempts made by the international community to respond to the global challenges posed by climate change in the Congo Basin and highlights that these attempts have so far produced limited results. Abject poverty and the lack of academic, technical, institutional and governance capacities have made it difficult for these solutions to take root in local conditions. Taking a novel perspective, Inogwabini argues that what is needed is not austerity in the use of natural resources but rather increased material affluence for these communities, which will enable individuals to create their own ways to survive through the tides of climate change. He considers factors including social inertia, climate skepticism and lack of political structure and presents a climate change action plan that is targeted at the local level in the Congo Basin. Overall, this volume will be of great interest to students and scholars of climate change, global development and African studies more broadly.