The environmental challenges we face today demand a reevaluation of our approach to sustainability. It’s not merely a matter of adopting greener technologies or reducing our carbon footprint; it’s about fundamentally redefining our relationship with the Earth. The Precolonial Global South, with its rich tapestry of indigenous knowledge, provides a compelling starting point. Generations before us lived in harmony with nature, understanding the intricate dance between the seasons, the plants, and the animals. They respected the land as a giver of life, nurturing not just their bodies, but also their spirits. As we embark on the journey of reclaiming this ancient wisdom, we find ourselves humbled by the profound knowledge of those who came before us. We learn about sustainable agriculture practices that enriched the soil rather than depleting it, and herbal medicine that healed not just the body but also the Earth, and about communities that thrived because they understood the importance of cooperation and mutual respect. But this journey is not merely about looking backward, it’s about synthesizing the old with the new. It’s about weaving the intricate threads of traditional ecological knowledge into the fabric of our modern society. Yacouba Sawadogo, revered as “The man who stopped the desert,” emerged from this context in the heart of West Africa, leaving an indelible mark before his passing in 2023. His efforts earned him recognition as an Alternative Nobel Prize laureate in 2018 and the prestigious title of Champion of the Earth in 2020. By exploring perspectives like Yacouba Sawadogo’s understanding of the climate crisis as intertwined with human crisis within the concept of “Zamane,” the influence of Southern epistemologies in shaping climate comprehension, and the importance of qualitative research in African settings, this paper aims to articulate arguments for a more profound comprehension of how incorporating diverse viewpoints can bolster sustainability endeavors.

Author: Barwendé Sané

Published in: Canada International Conference on Education, 2024

• Date of Conference: 23-25 July, 2024
• DOI: 10.20533/CICE.2024.0067
• Electronic ISBN: 978-1-913572-65-5
• Conference Location: Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada