ABSTRACT

This research work reexamines environmental sustainability in the face of climate change through the lens of Innocent Asouzu's Complementary Philosophy. The crux of Asouzu's complementarity: To be is to be in mutual complementary serves as a foundational framework for rethinking human-nature relationships and the interconnectedness of all existence. By applying Asouzu's complementarity principle, this research reveals the limitations of the dominant western approaches to environmental sustainability and highlights the potential of African philosophical perspectives in addressing the climate crisis. Through a critical analysis of Asouzu's work and its implications for environmental thought, this work argues that complementarity offers a nuanced understanding of the reciprocal relationships between human and non-human entities. This understanding fosters a holistic approach to environmental sustainability, emphasizing cooperation, mutual respect, and the intrinsic value of all beings. This research pioneers the application of Innocent Asouzu's Complementary Philosophy to environmental sustainability in the context of climate change, generating a redefined understanding of human-nature relationships as reciprocally shaped and interconnected. It also provides a critical examination of prevailing Western environmental paradigms through an African philosophical lens, revealing new perspectives on the field. Furthermore, this study offers a comprehensive sustainability framework rooted in complementarity, presenting a holistic approach to addressing environmental challenges in the face of climate change. Specifically, this study introduces the concept of reciprocal ecological citizenship'—wherein human and non-human entities co-exist in symbiotic relationships—offering a fresh paradigm for addressing climate change. By integrating Asouzu's complementarity principle with environmental thought, this research fills a critical knowledge gap, enriching our understanding of sustainability and climate change mitigation strategies, and demonstrating the value of African philosophical perspectives in addressing global ecological challenges.