A Realist Africa in the Polemics of Climate Change and 'Carbon Free' Economy

The assumption of the realist theory that survival and self-interest without more are the ultimate goal of each state in international politics and the liberals' viewpoint that international cooperation is in the best interest of a state are as valid and controversial in climate change discourse. Hence, the political choice which Africa should make in the light of increasing adverse effects of climate change, and in particular, amidst the tension of these two theories remains problematic and confounding. Generally, the negative effects of climate change will be prominent in areas including food production, health, water, and infrastructure in Africa. Yet, for long, activities underlying the causation of climate change have thrived in the neo-liberal notion of economic selfdetermination contrived by the North and remarkable for its historic carbon prints world over. Solutions to climate change in the form of carbon trading and carbon tax have been informed by a similar worldview. Following this path connotes that states in Africa must avoid carbon-based activities which are at the heart of economic development critical to peoples' social economic wellbeing. It also means that states in Africa should embrace carbon friendly activities, the technology of which is largely at the domain of the North. The merit of the above direction in the quest of economic development in Africa is disputed. This paper aims not only at exploring how adequately political realism can shape the option of Africa in navigating this controversy, it also discusses the prospects and challenges of a possible 'carbon free economy' in Africa.