Tackling environmental change in contemporary Africa: The prospects of customary environmental law

Abstract

Climate change has diminished environmental stability and increased the global surface temperature by almost 5 °C in the last 27 years.  The world has negative changes in the environment. The quality of the environment has globally deteriorated. Human activities on the  environment account for large chunk of climate change. Surely, we must work, eat and live comfortably with all our needs met, but at the  same time, we must ensure our continuous existence by protecting the planet earth. To achieve this, we must appreciate the principle of  sustainability and abide by the policies put in place to protect the environment. This paper uses doctrinal research methodology to x-ray  prospects of customary environmental law options to tackling environmental change in Africa. It was found that customary environmental law offers many options that could be utilised in checking environmental degradation and change. It was recommended,  inter alia, that African countries should revamp those age-long customary law measures and strengthen them via legislative actions for  effective environmental sustainability.