Sustainability science for meeting Africa’s challenges: setting the stage

Gasparatos, Alexandros; Takeuchi, Kazuhiko; Elmqvist, Thomas; Fukushi, Kensuke; Nagao, Masafumi; Swanepoel, Frans; Swilling, Mark; Trotter, Douglas; Blottnitz, Harro von

doi:10.1007/s11625-017-0485-6

Cited by 14 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…This paper acknowledges the need for "an integrated, place-based science will require new research strategies and institutional innovations to enable them especially in developing countries still separated by deepening divides from mainstream science" Kates et al [30]. In 2017, Gasparatos et al [44] noted the low contribution of African authors to the science of sustainability, a finding made by in 2001, Kates and Dasgupta in 2007 [41] (considering that the science of fundamental and applied sustainability must be included in the dynamics and the problem of poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa), and Wiek et al in 2012 (hoping to stimulate networks between research bodies in collaboration with developing countries in order to achieve sustainable transformation, the potential of which remains limited) [31]. In fact, the year after the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (2000), the New African Initiative made a plea to "eradicate poverty and place their countries, both individually and collectively on a path of sustainable growth and development".…”

Section: Our Research Question Is As Followsmentioning

confidence: 87%

Impacts Generated by a Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant Can Lead to Conflicts between Sustainable Development Goals: A Review of Key Lessons Learned in Madagascar

et al. 2020

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In a context of energy transition towards renewable energies, this case study situated in Madagascar allows us to verify the extent to which an on-grid photovoltaic solar power plant represents a vector for sustainable development. The article proposes a model for assessing sustainability from a qualitative multi-criteria perspective. This analysis fits into the theoretical question of the science of sustainability by challenging the theory of endogenous development. The innovation of this research is based on the use of a qualitative approach to a technological issue filling a literature gap in the major issue of the effective sustainability of renewable energy (particularly in the context of an island state). The study emphasizes that the plant can only represent a vector for sustainable development with the collaboration of the concerned parties, which implies considering the electrification needs at the local level. The article confirms that the impacts generated by the power plant can lead to conflicts between different sustainable development goals. Theoretically, the study emphasizes that the evaluation of the sustainability of solar power plants should follow a process that: (i) uses a preferably qualitative methodology likely to understand the local conditions of the communities in which they are established; (ii) identifies dissociated indicators while taking into account the context; and (iii) analyzes the possible negative interactions between the impact areas by highlighting the key areas linked to land management and the well-being of women within a poverty reduction approach.

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Section: Our Research Question Is As Followsmentioning

confidence: 87%

Impacts Generated by a Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant Can Lead to Conflicts between Sustainable Development Goals: A Review of Key Lessons Learned in Madagascar

et al. 2020

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“…Since an invasive species can be viewed as detrimental, neutral, or even beneficial in society, people who benefit from IAS may differ from those who suffer the costs (Estévez et al 2015;Novoa et al 2016b;Adamjy et al 2020). As such, applying principles and concepts of sustainability science to invasion research and management should represent a key opportunity within the African context (Gasparatos et al 2017;Tortell 2020). In addition, scientists and stakeholders need to engage in a joint paradigm for the concerted implementation of context-adapted policies and concerted implementation of management measures at relevant scales (Novoa et al 2018).…”

Section: Call For Integrated and Concerted Management Effortsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The economic costs of biological invasions in Africa: a growing but neglected threat?

Diagne¹,

Turbelin²,

Moodley³

et al. 2021

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Biological invasions can dramatically impact natural ecosystems and human societies. However, although knowledge of the economic impacts of biological invasions provides crucial insights for efficient management and policy, reliable syntheses are still lacking. This is particularly true for low income countries where economic resources are insufficient to control the effects of invasions. In this study, we relied on the recently developed "InvaCost" database – the most comprehensive repository on the monetised impacts of invasive alien species worldwide – to produce the first synthesis of economic costs of biological invasions on the African continent. We found that the reported costs of invasions ranged between US$ 18.2 billion and US$ 78.9 billion between 1970 and 2020. This represents a massive, yet highly underestimated economic burden for African countries. More alarmingly, these costs are exponentially increasing over time, without any signs of abatement in the near future. The reported costs were mostly driven by damage caused by invaders rather than expenses incurred for management. This trend was highly skewed towards a few regions (i.e. Southern and Eastern Africa) and activity sectors (i.e. agriculture) and incurred by a small number of invasive taxa (i.e. mainly three insect pests: Chilo partellus, Tuta absoluta, Spodoptera frugiperda). We also highlight crucial, large gaps in current knowledge on the economic costs of invasions that still need to be bridged with more widespread research effort and management actions across the continent. Finally, our study provides support for developing and implementing preventive measures as well as integrated post-invasion management actions at both national and regional levels. Considering the complex societal and economic realities in African countries, the currently neglected problem of biological invasions should become a priority for sustainable development.

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“…Achim, Robert, Robert, and Nina (2017) suggested that the affordability of food is dependent on food cost and availability of disposable income for food purchases. According to Gasparatos et al (2017), the food affordability index is a measure of the income effect, or the consumption changes arising from changes in real incomes or of food prices. Lauri, Palak, and Kumiko (2018) looked into products and services across Africa, from the dimension of affordability of food and household budgets, observing it accounted for almost half of all spending in many developing nations, with the highest-burden falling on low-income households.…”

Section: Food Affordabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Smart Agri-Preneurship Dimensions and Food Affordability

Omodanisi¹,

Egwakhe²,

Ajike³

2020

GJMBR

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This research sought to investigate the effect of smart Agri-preneurship dimensions on food affordability in South-West, Nigeria. Diverse literature confirmed positions of scholarly discourse regarding the relationship between smart Agri-preneurship dimensions and food affordability. Cross-sectional research design was adopted while adopted questionnaire was used to source primary data. Duly registered Agri-preneurs in South-West Nigeria were selected with a population of (2,557). Cochran, Hatzes, Butler, and Marcy formula (1997) was adopted and a reliable and valid questionnaire was tested on 558 Agri-preneurs. The regressed constructs revealed a positive and significant effect of smart Agri-preneurship on food affordability. The findings indicated that smart Agri-preneurship dimensions have positive and significant effect on food affordability (Adj.R2 = 0.602, F (6,551) = 141.319, p=0.000). The study concludes that farmers should embrace smart Agri-preneurial technologies as innovations that could improve their farm yields, hence reduce the cost of production and make food output more affordable. The study recommends that the government should engage Agri-preneurs and provide partnerships that would be beneficial in improving food affordability opportunities through the adoption of smart technologies.

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Sustainability science for meeting Africa’s challenges: setting the stage

Cited by 14 publications

References 33 publications

Impacts Generated by a Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant Can Lead to Conflicts between Sustainable Development Goals: A Review of Key Lessons Learned in Madagascar

Impacts Generated by a Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant Can Lead to Conflicts between Sustainable Development Goals: A Review of Key Lessons Learned in Madagascar

The economic costs of biological invasions in Africa: a growing but neglected threat?

Smart Agri-Preneurship Dimensions and Food Affordability

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