Lie of the Land: Challenging Received Wisdom on the African Environment

by Robin Mearns, Melissa Leach (Editor)

Questions the reasoning behind Western images of the environmental destruction taking place in Africa.

This book addresses the issue of how environmental orthodoxies become established, and what the alternative and appropriate approaches for policy-making are. It shows that many of the established orthodoxies are ill-conceived or represent the interests of certain powerful groups.
The editors draw together material from 11 key case studies across the continent which use first hand research in different ecological zones.

Melissa Leach & RobinMearns are Fellows at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex

Published in association with the International African Institute

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Eva Sevrin]

Even though many of the 'case studies' might seem dated, the message remains hauntingly relevant. A great book to challenge the way science can be influenced by certain narratives and construct them as well.