Towards a cross-cultural methodological approach to environmental sustainability research

Abstract

This study examined how cross-cultural methodological approach can improve research on environmental sustainability in Africa. What is  considered as the traditional methodological approaches to environmental sustainability in the continent are based on siloed  traditions and revelation/intuition, and therefore low in creativity. Worse still, whereas ideas from other cultures could infuse new  perspectives, creativity, and innovation, many scholars in areas studies insist on methodological monism because of a deeper interest in  preserving cultural identity of the regions they study. This approach negatively affects area studies in general and African studies in particular. Thus, two questions guided this study: (i) how can cross-cultural approach to the study of the environment improve its  sustainability in Africa; and (ii) to what degree do traditional approaches to knowledge enhance creativity and innovation to  environmental sustainability in Africa? To answer these questions, this study adopted, qualitative research methods. Data for the study  were generated from secondary sources and analysed using phenomenological, hermeneutic, and critical philosophical approaches. This  study argues that insistence on methodological monism is a disservice to environmental sustainability around the world. The study also demonstrates that exploring and incorporating ideas from non-African – particularly modern scientific frameworks – will be beneficial to  the continent.