It might interest you to know that some of
the most effective tools for combating climate change were already embedded in
ancient Yoruba culture. In this study, Koleayo Omoyajowo (2025) examined how
traditional Yoruba practices rooted in deep respect for nature which offer
enduring frameworks for climate adaptation and environmental sustainability.
In a survey of 800 respondents across
eight (8) Yoruba-speaking states, the study revealed a high level of
climate-change awareness:
- 75.9%
recognized greenhouse gas emissions as a major driver of environmental
degradation.
- 82.3%
identified deforestation as a key contributor to ecosystem loss; and
- 70.8%
affirmed that Yoruba agricultural practices like agroforestry and mixed
cropping foster sustainable land use
Notably, 56.4% of participants agreed that
sacred groves, taboos, and cultural restrictions on hunting reinforce
pro-environmental behaviors. Such practices have been long observed in Yoruba
religion and folklore which mirrors modern conservation ethics and echo the
principle of ecological balance found in global sustainability discourses.
Take-Home Insights
- Yoruba
traditions hold deep ecological knowledge, connecting spirituality,
environmental stewardship, and community ethics.
- The
study highlights that education correlates positively with climate
awareness, emphasizing the need to bridge traditional wisdom with modern
science.
- Climate
change impacts such as heat-related illnesses, food and water scarcity,
and agricultural decline are already being felt in Yoruba communities,
threatening livelihoods and cultural continuity.
- Most
respondents are in support of integrating cultural knowledge into climate
mitigation strategies.
Policy Narrative
This study provides a policy case for
culturally grounded climate action. Incorporating Yoruba values such as
reverence for sacred groves, water conservation, and seasonal hunting taboos
into environmental education and state-level climate policies can enhance
resilience and community engagement.
Policymakers are encouraged to:
- Integrate
indigenous ecological wisdom into Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plans and
local government climate programs.
- Promote
agroforestry and sustainable land use, aligning with SDGs 13 (Climate
Action), 15 (Life on Land), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and
Production).
- Develop
culturally relevant awareness campaigns that reframe Yoruba spirituality
as a source of environmental ethics.
- Foster
community-based climate governance, leveraging cultural leaders as
ambassadors of sustainability.
- Encourage
interdisciplinary research linking anthropology, ecology, and climate
science for localized adaptation models.
Omoyajowo’s work reminds us that
indigenous cultures are not relics but reservoirs of sustainable intelligence.
Hence, by looking back, we can move forward, weaving ancestral wisdom into
today’s global fight against climate change.
Excerpts from:
Omoyajowo, K. (2025). Understanding Climate Change and Environmental
Conservation from the Yoruba Cultural Perspective. Global Journal for
Environmental Science and Sustainability, 2(1), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.69798/63707925
About the Writer
Aishat Funmilayo Abdulraheem is a sociologist
and public-health researcher who examines how social and environmental
determinants such as education, transportation, and community structure shape
health outcomes in Nigeria. She has several scholarly contributions to her
credit and is passionate about using data-driven, collaborative approaches to
advocate for sustainable and equitable health systems in diverse settings.