Addressing climate change issues in Nigeria

Addressing climate change issues in Nigeria

It’s important to remember that the environment is central to our continued life on Earth, and that changes to the environment, both natural and made by people, can have good or bad effects on it. Climate change is one of these physical environmental changes that have serious implications for humanity’s survival. Interestingly, climate change is no longer a hypothetical concern. Scientists all over the world agree that this is happening, and if the current trends persist, increasing temperatures and ocean levels, in addition to more extreme weather events (floods, storms, cyclones, heat waves, etc.), could lead to severe food and water shortages, loss of shelter and livelihoods, and the extinction of plant and animal species. Climate change refers to changes in temperature and weather patterns that last for a long time (UN, 2020). Changes like these could be caused by natural things like the way the sun goes through its cycle. But since the 1800s, the main cause of climate change has been human actions, mostly the burning of fossil fuels like oil and gas, and coal. In recent years, the world has witnessed terrible weather-related occurrences such as hurricanes in many parts of the world. One of the greatest environmental challenges facing humanity is climate change. Indirectly and directly, it influences agricultural output, which in turn affects food security. Climate change is caused by both natural weather patterns and human actions. This change has hurt agricultural output in Africa. There are signs that climate change will have effects all over the world. However, due to their limited resources, poor countries, particularly in Africa, would be hit the worst. Nigeria’s climate is changing because of things like land degradation, unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, drought and desertification, rising sea levels and flooding, more frequent extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and the changes to freshwater resources (Elisha et al., 2017). Following this, it can be asserted that Nigeria is not insulated from the discourse on climate change. Notably, discussions about climate change is not common place in Nigeria as most persons are primarily concerned with escaping poverty which has long plagued the country. Given this background, the study aims at analysing how climate change affects Nigeria and how to mitigate these challenges.

There are regional differences in the problems brought on by climate change. Nigeria has a tropical climate, and there are two different patterns of rain: low rain in the north and heavy rain in some parts of the southwest and southeast. This could cause flooding and erosion in the South and dryness, drought, and the spread of deserts in the North (Akande et al., 2017). According to research, northern states are more likely to be harmed by climate change than southern states (Madu, 2016; Federal Ministry of Environment, 2014). Northeast and Northwest regions are the most vulnerable. Increased temperatures and less precipitation have accelerated the growth of the desert, leading to the erosion of wetlands and a rapid decrease in the quantity of water, plants, and animals on land. Southwest and Southeast are far less likely to be harmed by natural catastrophes than other regions. Due to coastal erosion, flooding, increasing sea levels, and an increase in rainfall in Southern Nigeria, the South-South (Niger Delta region) is the most vulnerable and has compelled many people to relocate (Federal Ministry of Environment, 2014). The pattern of sensitivity to climate change is also evident in the fact that climate influences the majority of agricultural operations. Climate change is more likely to hurt the mostly rural northern parts of Nigeria.

Agriculture

More than 70% of the individuals living in the country make most of their money from agriculture (Federal Ministry of Environment, 2014). The vast majority of crops in Nigeria are grown with rainwater. Changes in rainfall that are hard to predict make it hard for farmers to plan their work. Higher temperatures, less rain, droughts, and the spread of deserts all make it harder to farm on the land and lower crop yields. Coastal areas will get more rain, sea levels will rise, flooding will get worse, and farmland will be worn away by wind and water which would in turn reduce agricultural production.

Food security and water

Erratic variations in famine, heat stress, and rainfall can harm agriculture and cause food insecurity (Enete, 2014). The significant vulnerability of northern areas to climate change threatens the entire nation’s food security. Several areas in Northern Nigeria are having less potable water as a result of the drought.

Health: The health of individuals in Nigeria is significantly harmed by climate change. Heat waves and other extreme weather conditions have an immediate impact on health. Malnutrition due to a shortage of food, the development of viral infections and food- and water-borne illnesses (including cholera and typhoid fever), increased air pollution, and an increase in occurrences of meningitis connected to higher temperatures are all examples of indirect effects of climate change (Osuafor and Nnorom, 2014).

Economy

Ogbuabor and Egwuchukwu (2017) assert that due to the sector’s importance to Nigeria’s economy and way of life, problems with crop output and productivity may have a detrimental effect on the country’s GDP. Floods are one example of how extreme weather can impede economic growth by lowering output, destroying infrastructure, and forcing more government investment.

Effects on the population

The effects of climate change will vary across economic brackets, social levels, occupations, ages, and genders (Amobi and Onyishi, 2015). Due to the vulnerability of the agriculture industry to climatic changes, women will be impacted even more than men. This is due to the fact that more women are poverty farmers who rely on small-scale rain-fed agriculture. Women are also more reliant on the environment because it is typically their responsibility to collect wood for heating and cooking, obtain water for the home, and ensure that the family has sufficient food. Children are also affected by climate change. It makes it hard for kids to go to school because they can’t get there, especially in villages with bad roads. Lack of food and the hunger that comes with it can also make it hard for children to learn.

Security implications

As a result of climate change, fighting over resources could make Nigeria less safe. This problem is made worse by increased levels of water and a lack of food. Land degradation and the loss of plants and grazing land in the North Sahelian zone have caused a lot of people to leave and move to areas with less dry weather. This has made things worse between herders and farmers and has led to fights between different ethnic groups, some of which have been deadly (Amobi and Onyishi, 2015).

Mitigation of Climate Change

Reforestation: Reforestation in Nigeria accounts for just around 10% of total deforestation. More intensive tree planting is urgently needed.

Renewable energy: When it comes to stopping climate change, the power sector is one of the most important. It is very important to emphasize the expansion of renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Even though Nigeria has tried to improve its renewable energy laws and regulations, not many clean energy plants are now running (Elum and Momodu, 2017). Most of the energy that comes from renewable sources is made with hydropower. Solar energy development is new to the country, and there is more and more money going into it. The bioenergy industry could benefit from a steady rise in the production of maize, sugar cane, and cassava. It is important to come up with new ways to pay for low-carbon technologies that lower the price for customers while also making the project financially feasible for investors.

Similarly, Nigerians must be urged to embrace a sustainable way of life. These include consuming less meat, upgrading inefficient equipment, and improving public transportation access and usage. Additionally, essential services and waste reduction initiatives must be supported.

Recommendation

Government efforts to combat poverty and HIV/AIDS should be decentralized so that they are more in tune with reality and more participatory so that they are more likely to succeed. Also, the government’s plan to reduce poverty should include ways for farmers to adapt to climate change. A clear national policy framework for agricultural research must be developed to make sure that agricultural programs and projects stay on track and work well. Agriculture needs to become more professional by offering incentives for education and training and developing human capital in the direction of growing crops and raising animals. A farmer with more education, for example, would be able to learn new things faster. Increased public and private sector investment in agricultural technology is crucial if the agricultural sector is to adapt to the effects of climate change. Due to the extreme climatic changes that plague the African continent, it is assumed that local populations have found effective ways to adapt to the changing weather patterns. So, it is suggested that more official plans to deal with the effects of climate change should include the knowledge of indigenous people. Through effective capacity building, the most vulnerable group in agricultural production must be given the knowledge and information they need to help stop and adapt to climate change.

References

Akande, A. et al. (2017). Geospatial Analysis of Extreme Weather Events in Nigeria (1985–2015) Using Self-Organizing Maps. Advances in Meteorology.

Amobi, D. and Onyishi, T. (2015). Governance and climate change in Nigeria: A public policy perspective. Journal of Policy and Development Studies, 9(2), 199-210.

Elisha, I. et al. (2017). Evidence of climate change and adaptation strategies among grain farmers in Sokoto State, Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT), 11(3), 1-7.

Elum, Z. and Momodu, A. (2017). Climate change mitigation and renewable energy for sustainable development in Nigeria: A discourse approach. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 76, 72–80.

Enete I. (2014). Impacts of climate change on agricultural production in Enugu State, Nigeria. Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change, 5(9), 234.

Federal Ministry of Environment (2014). United Nations Climate Change Nigeria. National Communication (NC). NC 2. 2014. https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/nganc2.pdf

Madu, I. (2016). Rurality and climate change vulnerability in Nigeria: Assessment towards evidence based even rural development policy. Paper presented at the 2016 Berlin Conference on Global Environmental Change, 23-24 May 2016 at Freie Universität Berlin.

Nnadi, O. et al. (2019). Impacts of variability and change in rainfall on gender of farmers in Anambra, Southeast Nigeria. Heliyon 5.

Ogbuabor, J. and Egwuchukwu, E. (2017). The impact of climate change on the Nigerian economy. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 7(2), 217-223.

Osuafor, A., and Nnorom, N. (2014). Impact of Climate Change on Food Security in Nigeria. AFRREV STECH, 3(1).

The United Nations (2020). What is climate change? Retrieve 27th September 2020 from https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change