Introduction: Elements of Local Environmental Change

Abstract

During the course of African history, complex economic and technological developments have unleashed unprecedented social and environmental transformations. From pre-colonial, colonial to post-colonial history the African continent has been the subject of economic expansion, industrialisation and urbanisation that has produced momentous social transformations. These transformations are neither neutral nor without social costs and benefits and as such have produced many a loser or gainer. No wonder, environmental studies have been concerned largely with calls about environmental marginalisation and the appropriation of local natural resources by private or state interests (Kousis 1998, Mohamed Salih 1999). A generally accepted conclusion is that environmental alienation has contributed to the distortion of local ecosystems and economies, thus denying the local communities the right to eke out their living from a productive and healthy environment. This theme has attracted a large number of scholars who have held the front, so to speak, against ecological marginalisation and its manifestation in various forms of social and economic marginalisation.