This chapter, using a historical approach, will look at the major environmental
issues, challenges and initiatives faced by southern Africa and argue that there is now consensus
that environmental conservation is essential to attain sustainable development. It will argue that
there is a need to find solutions which are not only technical but also socio-economic as the environment
does not exist as a separate sphere from human actions, ambitions and needs. For the continent
to catch up with the developed world there must be some intensive exploitation of resources. Human
populations on the continent and indeed globally, now pose the greatest threat to the environment
than ever before. The unsustainable consumption patterns of natural resources and the everincreasing
population are putting ever-increasing stress on the land, water and ecological systems.