Influence of wilderness experience on the adoption of environmentally responsible behaviour

Thesis (MPhil (Sustainable Development Planning and Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007.Conventional environmental education programmes appear to have limitations in precipitating the radical change needed to solve major environmental problems. In this study the potential of wilderness experience (WE) as a catalyst for developing ecoliteracy and consequent adoption of environmentally responsible behaviour (ERB), are discussed. Attitudinal changes and adoption of ERB by adult participants, following a weekend WE conducted in the Pilanesberg National Park, located in the North-West Province of South Africa, were probed through group and individual interviews over a period of time. Results indicate that WE may be a significant catalyst in developing ecoliteracy, while effects on adoption of ERB are diluted by several factors – both personal and structural (societal). The role of the wilderness guide in facilitating effective re-connection with nature, and stimulating the development and growth of ecoliteracy in individual participants in the WE, is highlighted. It is suggested that WE provides a substantive addition to the mechanisms available for experiential environmental education programmes, in that it accesses different ways of learning that focus on the emotional and spiritual elements of the human connection to nature

Imperatives for an agricultural green economy in South Africa

Globally, there are social, economic and environmental challenges related to sustainable development; these challenges include climate change, the need to feed a rapidly increasing population, high rates of poverty and environmental degradation. These challenges have forced us to rethink the way in which development takes place, resulting in the emergence of the concept of a ‘green economy’. A green economy results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing risks to the environment. It is based on principles which integrate social, economic and environmental considerations. South Africa has adopted the principle of green economic growth, and agriculture is one of the sectors that will drive this growth. Agriculture could address some of the sustainable development problems, but there are challenges related to resource availability, environmental impacts of agriculture and climate change. For agriculture to support a green economy it has to be productive, contribute to economic growth and not undermine the environment, social and cultural systems. The information base and policies required to support a green economy in general, and/or an agriculture-supported green economy have not yet been developed, as the green economy is an emerging concept in South Africa as well as globally. The generation of such information requires analysis and synthesis of green economy principles and agricultural imperatives into generic principles and practices for facilitating agriculture’s contribution to the green economy. In this paper, we conduct this analysis and synthesis and highlight the defining aspects of an agricultural green economy