Fostering environmental citizenship to address ecological challenges in South Africa : lessons from the circular economy

Abstract

The responsibility to protect the environment and promote sustainable development lies with all people. People’s attitudes, lifestyles, and daily activities have resulted in negative impacts on the environment and its inhabitants. While South Africa’s rich biodiversity can be used to enhance livelihoods, there are unintended consequences to some business initiatives geared towards creating employment opportunities. All sectors in South Africa must embrace environmental citizenship and circular economy principles to mitigate ecological challenges. The involvement of social workers in collaborative efforts that promote sustainable development is limited. Educating communities to engage in environmental citizenship while building circular economy inter-sectoral exchanges and synergies between communities, the government, and private and business sectors may lead to positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes. Environmental citizenship lies in creating environmental consciousness and adopting a culture of sustainability. Towards this end, this integrative review of literature seeks to foster environmental citizenship and address ecological challenges in South Africa while drawing lessons from the circular economy. The authors recommend educating social workers, businesses and communities about environmental citizenship to develop and/or enhance their understanding of the value of circular economy as pivotal in addressing the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality while promoting economic growth within a social, economic and ecological justice framework.