Tenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Social Ecology in African Traditional Religion explores human relations to the natural world as differentiated in cultural ethics and practices. For many years, science, engineering, law, and economics were considered indispensable for understanding and resolving environmental problems. We now have abundant knowledge from these disciplines about environmental issues, but still not sufficient “will” to engage in long-term change for the flourishing of the earth’s community. Thus, there is a growing realization that religion, spirituality, ethics, and values can make important contributions, in collaboration with science and policy makers, to address complex ecological issues. Specifically, this paper examines the emerging environmental issues and challenges in Nigeria, which is gaining currency not only in philosophco-religious discourse, but also politics and governance. The objective is to highlight these emerging issues and challenges with the proposal that an African Traditional Religion Ecosophy can provide a veritable foundation in addressing contemporary environmental concerns and the moral relationships of human beings to, and the value and moral status of the environment with its non-human contents. Therefore, using the theoretical framework of African Theo-centric Ecosophy as its basic paradigm, this study submits the findings that the understanding of the issues and challenges underpinning social ecology is crucial to the setting up of plausible objectives, strategies and plans that will improve and lead to effective environmental management. We conclude by recommending some proactive measures that may enhance the sustainability of environmental resources for the benefit of the current and future generations.