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• This paper addresses an acknowledged knowledge gap by exploring both impact and risk in an African cultural context. • This paper is the first to assess the same methodology at two very different site types in two very different regions. • This paper presents a bottom-up, values-based and community focused approach to understanding climate risk. • This paper presents an approach to embed sustainable change, with a strong focus on capacity building and knowledge exchange. Climate change is a major threat to global heritage and many sites are already experiencing impacts from climate change and related hazards. Recent studies have indicated that this challenge is especially acute in the African continent. Climate vulnerability assessment is increasingly a key tool in periodic reporting and ongoing site management and an essential first step in climate adaptation planning. This paper presents results from climate vulnerability assessments undertaken at two UNESCO World Heritage (WH) properties: The Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara in Tanzania; and the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Nigeria. These assessments each applied a version of the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI), a values-based, science-driven and community-focused technique. A values mapping exercise identified key heritage and socioeconomic values, including key attributes associated with the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the WH property. Downscaled climate projections were used to identify key hazards over selected emissions scenarios and timeframes, before weighing potential impacts against local adaptive capacities. Based on the timeframes and emissions scenarios, the project found OUV Vulnerability was Moderate at the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara and Low at the Sukur Cultural Landscape, whilst the Community Vulnerability was Low for both properties. The paper will conclude with some wider observations on the application of climate vulnerability assessments in an African context and a focus on lessons learned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female pastoralists exhibit great strength in the drive to make a dependable livelihood from livestock tending. This is not without challenges that are genderspecific. This paper examines the socio-economic and environmental challenges faced by women pastoralists in the Sahelian Region of Northern Nigeria. Primary data were derived from an interview of 2,290 adult female household members in 6 local government areas in Bauchi and Gombe States in Nigeria. A stepwise regression analysis determined that amongst 23 socio-economic variables, 14 were significant explanatory or predictive variables (p < 0.05) for the socioeconomic status of women, as a measure of their capacity to sustain pastoralism. The results indicate that the length of time or experience in pastoralism had the most predictive power (β = 0.31; p < 0.05), and contributed 13% (R2 = 0.13) in enhancing the socio-economic status of pastoralist women. This was followed by other socio-economic factors such as the level of formal educational attained, participation in household livestock raising, ownership of large livestock, climate change awareness, prevalence of out-of-school children within the household, availability of household transportation means, category of health care facility accessed, involvement in non-agricultural economic sectors, involvement in food crop farming, ownership of small livestock, amount of rest/sleep affordable, membership of community development groups, and age. The paper recommends support for female education in pastoral communities, access to health care in remote areas, and upgrading community development groups to cooperative or self-help groups that can provide affordable loans to assist pastoralist women in thriving better in a supposedly male-dominated profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a global issue that affects every country, a pressing issue that requires global response. Nigeria is one of the countries that are most affected by climate change. The Nigerian government has recognized the impact of climate change on the country's economy, health, and environment, and has put in place laws and policies to address the issue. However, the question remains whether these laws and policies are effective in mitigating the impact of climate change or if they are simply symbolic gestures with no real impact on the ground. This paper examines the Nigerian climate change laws and policies to determine whether they are contributing to progress or stagnation. The paper provides an overview of the Nigerian climate change laws and policies, including the Climate Change Policy and Response Strategy (2012) and the National Climate Change Policy (2013). It1 also examines the legal framework for climate change in Nigeria, including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (1992). The paper then analyses the effectiveness of Nigeria's climate change laws and policies, especially the 2021 Act. The analysis is based on a review of relevant literature, as well as interviews with key stakeholders in Nigeria's climate change sector. The analysis reveals that while Nigeria has made some progress in addressing climate change, there are still significant challenges to be overcome. These challenges include a lack of funding, limited public awareness and understanding of climate change, and weak institutional frameworks. It concludes by recommending measures that can be taken to improve Nigeria's climate change laws and policies. Overall, the paper suggests that while Nigeria has made some progress in addressing climate change, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the country is better prepared to tackle this critical issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examined coping and adaptation strategies employed by smallholder farmers and their efficacy in response to climate change in Zango and Kofa communities in North-Western Nigeria. Three focus group discussions with 51 participants comprising men, women, and the youth, and 15 follow-up interviews were conducted in this study to understand the influence of cultural beliefs on climate change adaptation. Results show that to adapt, farmers borrow food from neighbours to repay in good season, use early maturing crops, sell livestock and other assets, engage in other businesses. Farmers also offer prayers and sacrifices based on the belief that climate change is caused by God. Thus, offering prayer and making sacrifices were very pronounced and found to be the dominant strategies farmers adopt in both communities which could potentially lead to less adaptation action thereby indirectly exposing the vulnerable communities to additional shocks. We found that most (50% and above) of the participating farmers in both communities had no access to any formal education which could affect their adaptation decisions. We concluded that farmers' cultural beliefs and practices such as prayer influences their adaptation behaviour and therefore adaptation designs need to address cultural influences to avoid future maladaptive responses consequently exacerbating vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The farmer-herder conflicts (FHCs) in Nigeria have aggravated in recent years, and so too has its scholarly inquiry. However, there is yet a critical geopolitics analysis of the conflicts despite their geopolitical manifestations. This paper explores the geopolitical imagination of the conflicts based on the “ Grammar of Geopolitics approach” of Gearóid Tuathail. Data used were newspapers’ stories and supplemented by government and independent bodies’ reports. The article shows that the conflicts are represented with ecological and socio-political storylines with local, regional, and global inclinations. They are imagined as evolving from local disagreements to entangle regional political crises and shaped by global environmental shocks (especially climate change) on local communities. The geopolitical storyline of the Nigerian government portrays the conflict as entrenched in lands and amplified by regional crises. The administration’s proposed socio-spatial arrangement (cattle colony) to segregate nomadic herders from arable farmers to avert violence has failed to gain traction in Nigeria’s various areas. The policy itself contradicts the ancient system of nomadic pastoralists, who flourish in smooth space and would not thrive in a constrained striated space. Thus, apart from addressing the environmental and ecological problems associated with the conflicts, the issue of regional geopolitical dynamics within Nigeria and the West Africa region has to be considered. Removal of regional barriers to access and inclusion of the pastoralists in resource use via a trans-regional framework recognizing local needs and disparities is vital. The paper indicates that the grammar of the geopolitics model can handle the media discourse of the FHCs in Nigeria well and helps to organize the narratives (if corroborated with extant scholarly literature as in the case of climate change-FHCs nexus) in such a way that avoids falling into inherently subjective trappings of the media storylines. Thus, the model is best suited for its purpose–to analyze geopolitical imaginations emanating from media sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is one of the global issues being combatted in recent times. One of the measures is a worldwide cutdown on carbon emissions. This has brought about the rapid development of technologies that can best actualise this goal. The decentralised energy system is designed to harness the strengths of small power-generating sources such as renewable energy sources in a noncentralised manner to help meet the global need for clean energy. Renewable energy sources are faced with the challenge of intermittency, which brings about instability in the grid. Another source of clean energy is nuclear energy, which is traditionally large and not flexible; however, the recent development of technology has resulted in a scaled-down version of the large nuclear plants that are more flexible yet provide clean and stable electricity. This paper explores the possibility of deploying nuclear microreactors in the decentralised energy system and describes the features and the challenges of a decentralised energy system. The features of the small modular reactor that make it a viable candidate for the generating source in the decentralised energy system are explored. A case study for a DES system with a microreactor was conducted for a rural area in Nigeria. The HOMER software was used in simulating the optimum system, while TOPSIS was used in ranking the systems. The result showed that the PV/nuclear/battery system ranked first, followed by the PV/nuclear/wind and battery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africa is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. While some African states have contributed very little to the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions driving climate change, others are heavier polluters. Over many decades, Nigeria's oil and gas industry and the gas flaring for which it is notorious, has significantly contributed to the global rise of GHGs. The country is already experiencing the adverse effects of climate change in term of increasing cases of droughts, sea-level rise, acid precipitation and floods, among others. Global climate litigation has foregrounded the potential contributions which a national court can make in regulating the human activities that fuel climate change and undermine mitigation and adaptation efforts. Against this backdrop, this paper will assess the current status of climate change litigation in Nigeria. The paper argues that climate change litigation in Nigeria is still in its infancy. However, it will critically assess the paradigm shifts evident in the decision of the Nigerian Supreme Court in the recent case of Centre for Oil Pollution Watch (COPW) v Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), arguing that this case potentially clears the way for future climate change litigation in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the first issue of the International Journal of Biometeorology in 1957, a total of 135 papers have reported on research in or of African countries. The majority of these have been on topics of animal biometeorology (36%), and the greatest proportion (24%) are situated in Nigeria. There has been a considerable increase in papers on African biometeorology since 2011, with those from this past decade accounting for 58% of all African papers in the journal. This occurs concurrent to an increase in the total number of papers published in the journal, driven by a move to the Editorial Manager system. While 66% of the papers on African biometeorology in the journal are authored by at least one person with an affiliation in the African continent, only 15 African countries are represented in the total authorship. As much of the African continent is projected to experience climatic changes exceeding the global mean, as much of the region is involved in animal and plant farming, and as seasonally-fluctuating and climatically affected diseases are common place, this low representation of work in Africa is surprising. This points to the need for greater awareness among African researchers of the discipline of biometeorology, greater involvement of African biometeorologists in International Society of Biometeorology and Commission meetings, and the inclusion of a greater number of African academics in the review process. This would be beneficial to the Society in increasing diversity and encouraging a more cosmopolitan engagement, and to the recognition of scientific development in African countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current scientific evidence shows that human activities are causing interference at different levels in the global climate and availability of natural resources, and many authors already relate water scarcity to the increased risk of violent conflict, particularly in rural societies on the African continent. Climate disruptions caused by climate change are reflected on a regional and local scale, and the greatest impacts are already being felt in the poorest areas of the planet. Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, has been facing environmental problems in its territory that can be associated with climate change, such as rising temperatures, reduced rainfall and advancing desertification. Considering that all these phenomena have been worsening since the early twentieth century in Nigeria and, due to the escalating of violent conflicts since the beginning of the current century, the objective of this paper is to analyse how climate change can interfere in the conflict between herdsmen and farmers, as well as the possible impact of seasonal variation in rainfall on the dynamics of these communal conflicts. The study focused on literature review and the case study took place in four Nigerian states (Plateau, Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa) for the period 2010-2017, focusing on the communal conflict involving the Fulani ethnic group. The approach adopted was the inductive method in which the behaviour of rainfall in the study area was compared with the number of deaths resulting from the conflict, in addition to using geo-processing software to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of casualties. The theoretical framework used was that proposed by Thomas Homer-Dixon (1994) and the information was collected from primary sources, with consultation of qualitative and quantitative data, and from secondary sources through book reviews, publications and papers in scientific journals. While it is not yet possible to establish a direct and linear relationship between climate change and violent conflict, the revised literature indicates that competition for water and other natural resources in certain parts of Nigeria is increasing, and that the violent conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and farmers are increasing due to the dispute over access to water sources and grazing lands. Data analysis shows that in the study area there are 46.4% more deaths in the dry season (November to April) than in the rainy season (May to October). While there are still not enough elements to conclude that climate change is the primary cause of the conflict, the analysis reinforces the need, in certain contexts, particularly in developing countries with populations highly dependent on the primary sector of the economy, for the impacts of climate change to be seriously considered as a risk to human security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigeria is experiencing, together with the rest of the world, consequences of relentlessly accelerating technological developments, in the contexts of relative lagging of developments in the Humanities, new discoveries in sciences and technological innovations, advances in medicine, changes in government policies and norms, rapid changes in the society, unhealthy practices in the area of food and agriculture, degradation of the environment as well as climate change. Furthermore, Nigeria as a Member State of UNESCO Bioethics is expected to have a National Bioethics Committee to enhance her participation in global concerns, as well as increase her opportunities to tap into global Bioethics resources. For this Committee to be established, the National Bioethics Framework and Policy Documents must be put in place. This paper discusses the rigorous process of developing the National Bioethics Framework and the National Bioethics Policy Documents as well as the need for a National Bioethics Committee in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the determinants of the strategies adopted by the arable crop farmers in coping with climate change in Osun state, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 arable crop farmers as samples for the study. Data for the study were collected with a structured interview schedule. Data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistical tools; frequency distributions, means, standard deviation, percentages, and Pearson's Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Descriptive results reveal that most (87.5%) of the sampled farmers were male, and married (63.00%). The average age, household size, and years of formal education were 53.6 years, 10.15 persons, and 5.20 years respectively. Perceived significant variables influencing climate change were fluctuating rainfall patterns and extreme temperature with weighted mean scores (WMS) of 4.55 and 4.47 respectively. The major climate change adaptation strategy and constraint to adaptation were late or early planting, and unavailability of capital with WMS scores of 4.54 and 2.80 respectively. Significant factors influencing climate change adaptation strategies were age, household size, years of formal education, and farming experience. The study concluded that farmers were aware of the effects of climate change and have adopted coping strategies, especially planting their crops early or late in line with emerging rainfall patterns. Thus, extension services must be tailored towards awareness and adoption of improved agronomy practices and planting materials, especially early maturing and drought-resistant varieties of crops that would mitigate climate change effects on crop productivity. Also, farmers should be encouraged to insure their crops against failure due to the effects of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is the urgency in finding solutions to this global problem and this requires bold actions from governments, the private sector and civil societies. This paper conducts an x-ray of political questions relating to climate change issues. This can be achieved by making departure from the provisions of section 6(6)(c) of the Nigerian Constitution by proactive interpretation of sections 13, 14(2), 20 and Item 60(a) of the Exclusive Legislative List of the said Constitution. The philosophical underpinning of this preposition is to enable the courts avoid injustice and absurdity in addressing claims for loss and damages linked to climate change induced impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The agricultural sector in Nigeria provides a socio-economic resource base for exiting pervasive poverty, and transforming the economy. However, with the challenges posed by climate change through variability in rainfall, the agricultural livelihoods and poverty status of the population could be threatened due to the vulnerability context of the country. This paper explores the relationship between rainfall and food poverty through the assessment of vulnerability to climate change in an agricultural economy by geo-referencing and mapping of rainfall variability and food poverty. It provides a quantification of the scale and location of the area under food poverty and rainfall variability with scenarios that provide alternative sustainable development pathways of desirable outcomes. The coefficients of variation of rainfall or precipitation seasonality were computed from geo-referenced data and topologically overlaid on the most recent food poverty profile for Nigeria. The findings reveal intriguing phenomena bordering on agro-climatic and socio-economic factors of climate change vulnerability. The findings provide a basis for policy formulation and implementation on inequity of food poverty and environmental sustainability. It offers empirical insights on how to rethink concepts of socio-economic and environmental sustainability through landscapes and livelihoods as outcomes of vulnerability contexts. The paper concludes that, there is need for agricultural transformation along vulnerability dimensions. The evidence of the nexus between rainfall and food poverty could be a new model for promoting sustainability of the agrarian economy in Nigeria. Highlights • Rainfall variability exacerbates food poverty in rain-fed agricultural-based economy. • Agroecological-based system of agricultural production enhances agricultural livelihoods and environmental resilience. • The nexus between precipitation and poverty has implications for landscape, livelihoods and sustainable agricultural development. • Strategic climate change adaptation policy should aim at improving food poverty situation, and boosting resilience through agroecological-based food production system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgent need for clean innovative energy systems is widely recognized amidst increasing concerns over energy insecurity, climate change and other environmental impacts of a carbon-constrained economy. Several renewable energy technologies such as small hydropower (SHP) are poised to play a critical role in the transition to a low-carbon future in Nigeria. The technically exploitable small hydro capability in Nigeria is high but underutilized in spite of the recent power sector reform of the government. The main objective of this paper is to trace the evolution of small hydropower and determine what component of the interactive learning mechanisms would result in the most significant outcome. The paper also maps out the networks of actors and linkages among those involved in the development and deployment of SHP technology in Nigeria. The study assesses the innovation process of the key stakeholders on models of sustainable SHP in the country. In the final assessment, the study identifies four models with firm-driven and a hybrid of policy and donor-driven models producing the most significant outcome. The findings of this study suggest that SHP could play an important role in remote off-grid communities as well as grid-based power generation. However, barriers such as low level of technological capability, lack of up-to-date sound technical and financial analysis and low investment have hindered its deployment. This paper concludes by outlining several policy priorities that would entrench sustainable SHP for multiple societal and economic development objectives in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the relationship between climate change and resource conflict is paramount in resolving resource conflict between farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria. However, there is yet no general agreement on how climate change causes or influences resource conflict. Thus, a review of existing literature that link climate change and resource conflict was conducted for identification of the missing link. These were achieved through the review of literature published in the era of the recent global climate change from late 90s to date. Selections of papers were based on the topic and date of publication. Result showed that there is general agreement that climate change influence resource conflicts. Some of the authors agreed that climate change cannot cause resource conflict in isolation but through influences on other factors that affect resource availability, accessibility and utility. These factors are also influenced by policies and socio-cultural system. Thus, resource conflict may be a secondary or tertiary effect of climate change. Climate change solution is scares in literature that linked climate change and resource conflict. Thus, future studies should be focused on climate change solution to resource conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focused on redefining agricultural extension practice in Nigeria in response to the challenges of climate change. We reviewed 58 articles from research databases that were in line with our inclusion criteria for adequate understanding of the current state of agricultural extension practice in Nigeria and climate change concerns. The review identified the effects of climate change on agricultural extension practice, ascertained the training needs of agricultural extension workers towards climate change resilience, highlighted the strategies for repositioning the Nigerian agricultural extension system for climate change resilience and ascertained the opportunities and barriers for agricultural extension system towards building climate change resilience. Results show that climate change has adversely affected agricultural extension practice in Nigeria by worsening its operational environment. Changes in rainfall pattern have made it cumbersome for effective implementation of extension advice in real time. Training needs of extension workers for climate change resilience among others include the need to bridge digital divide, implementation of strategies for a better interface with development partners and optimization of the use indigenous mitigation strategies for climate change. The review recommends that essential strategies that must be in-cooperated in the extension service delivery in Nigeria should include adoption of new scenario thinking in communicating resilience building, establishment of emergency management unit by the agency, encouraging the involvement of the private sector in the extension service, transferring of research results on best affordable resilience practices to farmers as well as ensuring that government and other agencies are kept abreast with farmer's feedback on their challenges in building climate change resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global anthropogenic activities resulting in the emission of harmful greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere have increased the challenges faced from climate change. The greater awareness of the need to mitigate climate variability has brought about intense focus on the adverse impacts of fossil-fuel based energy on the environment. Being the single largest source of carbon emissions, energy supply has attracted much attention and more so that, climate change impacts extend beyond national boundaries. Since energy use is sine qua non to economic development, scientists have reiterated the necessity of developing and utilising renewable energy. Although, past and present CO 2 emissions have and are majorly caused by industrialized countries, it is envisaged that future GHGs emissions would be mostly from developing countries as they industrialize. Renewable energy sources that include biomass, hydroelectric, wind, solar and hydrothermal systems, are carbon-neutral, releasing relatively no emissions. This paper discusses the initiatives associated with the provision of renewable energy to the energy mix in Nigeria as an indication of the country’s commitment to adopt a sustainable development strategy in shaping the economy. It reviews the literature and employs a discourse analysis to examine the limited use of renewable energy sources in Nigeria and the factors prevailing against their development. The paper concludes by identifying social and political obstacles as most significant roadblocks towards rapid implementation of a green economy through the deployment of renewable energy for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is arguably one of the biggest challenges globally. In order for countries to meet the commitments of the Paris Agreement, climate investments need to be scaled up for adaptation and mitigation strategies. Green bonds are one of the most emerging climate finance mechanisms for large-scale climate projects and offer investment opportunities for many developing countries. Most developing countries are heavily reliant on climate funds which are insufficient. Hence, the urgent need to tap into emerging climate finances such as green bonds. Out of all the regions, Africa is expected to be the worst impacted by climate change and green bonds can contribute to the much needed climate finances. The growth of the green bond market has been observed in the economic hubs of the continent with countries such as Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa demonstrating huge potential in being active and contributing to the growth of the market. However, this paper recommends that for the green bond market to further expand in these countries and rest of the continent, there needs to be public–private partnerships fostered, integrated policies, political will as well as effective institutional frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change induced challenges and ecologically degrading has been evident in persistent forest depletion in the world. This environmental problem has been in alarming rate most especially in the developing world. With global outcry on the consequences of constant unsustainable forest destruction topping the agenda of most contemporary intellectual discourses in the recent time. Thus, the need to examine the current deforestation situation necessitates a work of this nature. The analysis of challenges facing economic forest in Nigeria and the likely mitigation measures to embark upon in as to reduce the degradation of forest in the country is overdue. The paper establishes the existence of pressures on the forest communities in Nigeria due to number of causes such as; urbanization, overpopulation, mining and agricultural expansion programmers among others. For the nation to retain the forest resources that promote rural welfare, income and employment generation, urban and rural livelihood, poverty alleviation, and sustainable forest management, great attempt needs to be made to guide against human activities that encourage forest depletion. Potential forest degradation crises have made it clear that the environment and the economy can no longer be considered in isolation. At the same time, financial and economic crisis has provided the opportunity for policy interventions aimed at discouraging deforestation of the environment and renewed growth on more environmentally and socially sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper combines panel data from nationally representative household-level surveys in Nigeria with long-term satellite-based spatial data on temperature and precipitation using geo-referenced information related to households. It aims to quantify the impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity, income shares, crop mix, and input use decisions. We measure climate change in harmful degree days, growing degree days, and changes in precipitation using long-term (30 year) changes in temperature and precipitation anomalies during the crop calendars. We find that, controlling for other factors, a 15% (one standard deviation) increase in change in harmful degree days leads to a decrease in agricultural productivity of 5.22% on average. Similarly, precipitation change has resulted in a significant and negative impact on agricultural productivity. Our results further show that the change in harmful degree days decreases the income share from crops and nonfarm self-employment, while it increases the income share from livestock and wage employment. Examining possible transmission channels for this effect, we find that farmers change their crop mix and input use to respond to climate changes, for instance reducing fertilizer use and seed purchases as a response to increases in extreme heat. Based on our findings, we suggest policy interventions that incentivize adoption of climate-resilient agriculture, such as small-scale irrigation and livelihood diversification. We also propose targeted pro-poor interventions, such as low-cost financing options for improving smallholders' access to climate-proof agricultural inputs and technologies, and policy measures to reduce the inequality of access to livelihood capital such as land and other productive assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Increasing demands for energy, growing environmental concerns and the constraints of conventional energy sources have generated the need for public education on renewable energy, and the need for government policy to embrace renewable energy technologies. This paper is based on a previous study that explored the beliefs, perceptions and attitudes of the Nigerian public to renewable energy technologies so as to derive implications for science and technology policy and education in the country. A sequential mixed-method approach was employed in the study. First, a survey with close-ended questions was administered to 600 randomly selected participants from Ibadan, Akobo and Asi. This was followed by four focus group interviews held with 23 purposefully selected participants from the study. Statistical and thematic analyses were conducted. The results show that the participants have a low-level knowledge of renewable energy technologies. There is also no relationship between the educational level of the participants and their knowledge of renewable energy technologies. The majority of the participants were not aware of sustainable development. The outcome of this study underscores the need to widen the nation's science and technology policies as well as its educational curriculum to incorporate themes addressing renewable energy and sustainable livelihood. Highlights • There is a general low level knowledge of renewable energy technologies among the participants with the males having a higher score than the females. • There is no relationship between renewable energy knowledge and the educational level of participants. • Many of the participants are not aware of greenhouse emissions and sustainable development. • The majority of the participants got their information about renewable energy technologies from the television. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peaceful coexistence of farmers and pastoralists is becoming increasingly elusive and has adverse impact on agricultural revolution and global food security. The targets of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) include promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. As a soft approach and long term solution to the perennial farmersherdsmen clashes with attendant humanitarian crisis, this study proposes a social inclusion architecture using deep neural network (DNN). This is against the backdrop that formulating policies and implementing programmes based on unbiased information obtained from historical agricultural data using intelligent technology like deep neural network (DNN) can be handy in managing emotions. In this vision paper, a DNN-based Farmers-Herdsmen Expert System (FHES) is proposed based on data obtained from the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics for tackling the incessant climate changeinduced farmers-herdsmen clashes, with particular reference to Nigeria. So far, many lives have been lost. FHES is modelled as a deep neural network and trained using farmers-herdsmen historical data. Input variables used include land, water, vegetation, and implements while the output is farmers/herders disposition to peace. Regression analysis and pattern recognition performed by the DNN on the farmers-herdsmen data will enrich the inference engine of FHES with extracted rules (knowledge base). This knowledge base is then relied upon to classify future behaviours of herdsmen/farmers as well as predict their dispositions to violence. Critical stakeholders like governments, service providers and researchers can leverage on such advisory to initiate proactive and socially inclusive conflict prevention measures such as people-friendly policies, programmes and legislations. This way, conflicts can be averted, national security challenges tackled, and peaceful atmosphere guaranteed for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a serious environmental and economic issue confronting our world. Climate Change is a threat multiplier that makes poverty more chronic, worsens adverse health conditions and capable of inducing conflicts. The adverse climate change impacts materialise in various sectors of the economy. However, the effect is unique in developing countries that rely on agriculture. The paper examined the level of awareness and adaptation to climate change among yam-based farmers in rural areas of Oyo state. Yam is a root crop with huge economic and nutritional importance in Nigeria. However, Nigerian agriculture being rain-fed is exposed to the vagaries of weather hence the constraint to yam production. Primary data were used for the study. Personal interviews and wellstructured questionnaire were used to elicit pertinent information. The information collected includes socioeconomic characteristics, perceptions on climate change, adaptation strategies and constraint to adaptation in the study area. Multistage sampling technique was used for the selection of respondents. At the first stage, three Local Government Areas (LGAs)-Saki East, Iseyin and Itesiwaju were purposively selected based on the dominance of yam production. The second stage involved the random selection of three communities from each LGA. At the third stage, simple random sampling technique was used to select 21 farming households from each community making a total of 189 households. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logit regression model. The results of the descriptive analysis showed 92.1 percent of the respondents were married with an average household size of 9. Majority of the respondents (67.6 percent) cultivate yam on less than 2 hectares. The study revealed about 59 percent and 57 percent of the respondents do not have access to credit and extension services respectively. The farmers are aware of climate change effects with varying levels of knowledge. Majority of the farmers claimed yam output has been declining in the study area. However, adaptation strategies used by farmers to improve yam production in spite of climate change include mixed cropping, irrigation, diversification and change in planting dates. Meanwhile, climate change-induced problems in the study area are dwindling income and alteration of farm calendar, soaring labour cost, clashes between pastoralists and crop farmers and health issues. The paper recommended increased awareness on climate change through making existing information channels accessible to farmers. There is the need for government and microfinance institutions to provide credit to farmers in order to enhance their adaptive capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has always been a thing of concern in agricultural production, especially in yam production. The study investigated farmer adaptation strategies to the effect of climate change on yam production in Kogi State with the specific objectives of assessing the socio-economic characteristics of farmers, farmers’ climate related constraints, the adaptation strategies employed by farmers, and yam farmers’ level of knowledge on climate change. A multistage sampling technique was used to select one hundred and twenty respondents from the different communities selected in the study area in year 2019. Data were collected through structured interview schedule. The data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Results obtained showed that farmers in the study area were mostly males with a mean age of 44.5 years. Most of the yam farmers in Kogi State got information on climate change from other farmers (77.3%) and (81.3%) of the respondents aware of climate change. Furthermore, the major effects of climate change as identified by the respondents were pest infestation (90.8%) and high rate weed growth (88.3%). Various strategies adopted by yam farmers include mulching (Mean=5.0), intercropping yam with other crops (Mean=4.5), use of weather-resistant variety (Mean=4.1) and use of early maturing crop varieties (Mean=3.8). Pearson product moment correlation shows that there is a significant relationship between estimated annual (r = 0.887), income farming experience (r = 0.274) and the farmers’ level of awareness. Therefore, efforts should be made towards developing and making available, yam seeds and yam tubers that can adapt to the change in climate and weather elements like flood and drought. These findings suggest the need for more training on climate change, the adaptation methods, environmental education and sustainability of yam cropping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deployments of renewable energy technologies in the current century represent a critical approach to sustainable development. Renewable energy can be generated from sources with the backdrop to restock themselves based on timescale. The most important sources of renewable energy include solar photovoltaic conversion technologies, biomass and biofuel energy systems, wind energy turbines, geothermal energy technologies and hydroelectric power systems. Considerable investment in renewable energy in a country can lower the nation's dependency on imported fuels and purchase of energy from foreign market. It also drives technological innovation and generate employment scheme while enhancing clean development mechanism. Consequently, this paper presents the existing renewable energy technologies in the Nigeria and as well makes some critical recommendations to further induce development of renewable and sustainable energy systems based on autonomous energy systems and microgrid (µgrid) technologies. The recommendations are made based on varieties of energy technologies for solar power generation, biomass and bioenergy, wind energy, hydropower generation and the combined generation systems using hybrid energy mechanism. The structure of the study is concluded based on suggestions on how to pursue some impending socio-political, technological, investment policy and legislative issues for effective renewable energy development in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity is the basic tool that drives industrialization, technological advancement, engineering transformation and economic growth all over the world. The situation of Nigeria's electricity power sector is one that has defied virtually every effort made to resurrect it from its state of dilapidation. A major concern is “can there ever be stable and cost effective electricity in Nigeria?” The authors are positive this can be realised, but not without considering other forms of electricity energy resources available in Nigeria other than the conventional sources of electricity which is currently the mainstay. A deliberate transition from conventional sources of electricity energy to renewable and environmental friendly sources is critical for national development, even though recent development show the Nigerian government is backsliding in adopting renewable energy technologies. This paper will be used to highlight the different sources of renewable energy which is critical to solve the lingering problem of electricity generation in Nigeria. Hence, based on the literature, modeled scenarios and field experience, the authors discovered it is much easier for individuals to drive this transition to 100% renewable energy than to continue to depend on government forever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erratic temperatures and precipitation influence nutrition, human capital investment, and living standards, particularly for children. This study investigates the effect of climate change (changes in the monthly maximum average near-surface temperature and total monthly precipitation) on children's health outcomes, particularly stunting and underweight, in Nigeria. We combine Living Standards Measurement Study - Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA) data with high resolution gridded climate data. We find that the rise in temperature is associated with higher levels of stunting – even more so in rural areas. The paper's findings highlight the need for climate-friendly policies to mitigate the long-term effect of climate change on malnourishment. Without such policies, climate change could reverse years of progress in lowering children's malnutrition. • We study the effects of climate change on children's nutrition in Nigeria. • Temperature directly affects child malnutrition while precipitation has an indirect effect. • Climate change has a higher adverse effect in rural areas compared to urban areas. • Progress made to reduce malnutrition can be lost due to the effect of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the imperatives for food security in the dynamics of climate change and global warming at the local Nigerian scale. Results revealed that exposure and sensitivity to climate risks vary across the country over the years. Analyses of sensitivity to inter-annual and intra-annual climate variability using bivariate correlation and multiple regression methods suggests impending drought in the northern region where livestock farming is predominant. An estimation of the relative contributions of each climate independent variable in determining the variability of crop yield using the backward selection procedures for the regression in the case of inter-annual variability was also conducted. Stepwise approach was adopted for the intra-annual study indexing the impacts of annual climate variability by a parameter computed as annual yield minus mean annual yield, divided by the standard deviation. The results produced a Zdistribution array with values varying from approximately -5 to approximately +5. Values < -3 or > 3 indicate impacts that are significant at 95 percent confidence levels. This study, therefore, established the interwoven relationship between climatic change, global warming and food security; and concludes that storage and preservation techniques or methods be developed as a strategic effort towards food security in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts some preliminary evaluation of the potential of agroforestry techniques as a forestry strategy for controlling atmospheric CO[sub 2]—a critical greenhouse gas. The end-use scenario that attempts to meet the wood and related needs of the nation while mitigating climate change was adopted. The net emission estimate for the Forestry Sector in 1990—the base year for the study—was 9.5 million tonnes of carbon (MtC). Based on this figure, projections into the year 2030 gave cumulative net emissions of 427.4 and 580.5 MtC at 1.3% and 2.6% deforestation rates respectively. However, mitigating with agroforestry techniques, assuming that about 76% of the estimated 39.5 million ha of farmland in the country is committed to a variety of agroforestry systems, the results show that a total of 1530 MtC can be withdrawn from the atmosphere by the year 2030. The paper concludes that there is a reasonable case for the use of agroforestry techniques in the country, both as a means of sustaining soil productivity and as a strategy for mitigating climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known fact that the rate of industrial growth of any country is a function of the amount of energy available in that country and the extent to which this energy is utilized. The burning of fossil fuels to generate energy is a dirty process. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions result when fossil fuels are produced and consumed and these emissions contribute to climate change. Nigeria as a country is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because its economy is mainly dependent on income generated from the production, processing, export and/or consumption of fossil fuels and its associated energy-intensive products. Hence, it is on this premise that this paper is researched to review the energy sources being used in Nigeria and investigate its impact to climate change. Findings reveal Nigeria's over-dependence on fossil-generated energy with associated adverse environmental effects, among other things. Recommendations for the integration of renewable energy into Nigeria's energy mix, beyond other measures, have been offered, especially with reference to the salient environmental benefits that accrue to it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major occupation of people in the North-west geopolitical zone of Nigeria is farming, which depends on rainfall and other factors. It is well known that climate change has been contributing to change in amount of rainfall worldwide. In this paper the existence of trend and rainfall frequency analyses were conducted on rainfall data in North-west geopolitical zone of Nigeria with a particular attention to yearly total rainfalls using Mann- Kendall and Sen's slope techniques as well as Pearson log type III distribution. Rainfall data from 1905 - 2008 were collected from five locations in the region and the test were conducted using standard methods stated in literature. The study revealed that there are trends in the rainfall in the region and Sen's test revealed that the trends are significant at 99% confidence level. Sen's slopes revealed that there are downward trends in the rainfall for the last 30 years in all the five locations. The slopes are -0.94, -6.91; -0.94; -0.84 and -5.66 mm/year for Sokoto, Kano, Kebbi, Kaduna and Katsina respectively. Rainfall frequency analyses for 2 years return period for these locations (Sokoto, Kano, Kebbi, Kaduna and Katsina) are 651.08 mm; 844.42 mm 735.68 mm, 1168.47 mm and 669.52 mm respectively. It was concluded that there are downward trends in the rainfall in last 3 decades for all the locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper investigates the perceived and observed trends of associated health risks with seasonal climate variability and identifies types of and preference for adaptation strategies that are available at households and community levels in Oke-Ogun region, Nigeria. The study made use of household survey and rapid appraisal through focus group discussion and key informant interviews. For a short term climate–health impacts analysis, cases of notable diseases were correlated with monthly mean temperature and rainfall for the period 2006 and 2008. The findings show similar trends in relation to local perception on climate–health risks and observed cases of some notable diseases during seasonal changes. Diarrhea, measles and malaria were prevalent during dry season, while flu cases increased at the onset of harmattan and monsoon of rainy season. Available adaptation strategies are autonomous, mostly in the form of treatment measures such as consultation with medical officers in hospitals (17.5%), self-medication (34%) and use of traditional therapy such as herbs (48.5%). Traditional therapy is mostly preferred and approved based on long-term experience of the study population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Those informed about agriculture are not the same as those with influence on it. • Non-sectoral leaders shape agricultural spending far more than agricultural leaders. • Nigerian states can protect their budgets from federal influence. • However, local government budgets are strongly steered by states. • Leaders fund visible, quickly materialising investments, disfavouring agriculture. With emerging recognition of changing climates' impact on agricultural productivity, a sharper lens is focused on how to target agricultural public investments for development. This paper contributes to an understanding of budget decision-making processes in agricultural development, by examining to what extent those with superior information and expertise on a sector have sway over how public resources to the sector are allocated. The empirical qualitative analysis of this paper employs process tracing with an embedded case study design, based on interviews of 79 senior public sector key-informants in Nigeria. We also analyzed quantitative public expenditure data in the study areas. We draw insights from theories of information asymmetries in the public sector along three dimensions. Within the first type of information asymmetry, we find that, despite the higher agricultural technical expertise that sector bureaucrats have vis-à-vis the elected non-sector-specific chief executives, it is the latter who heavily influence agricultural resource allocation. In the second form of information asymmetry, the benefits from superior lower-tier information are only exploited at one subnational (state) level but not at the other (local government) level. Within the third kind of information asymmetry, public leaders prioritize funding for those types of public investments that are more visible by their nature, and outputs of which materialize relatively rapidly; this disfavors agriculture. Going beyond the literature on the impact of information interventions, this study sheds light on the extent to which information already in the public sector is tapped into to guide the provision of public goods and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Values, patriarchal norms, and traditions related to gender and gendering are diverse among societies, communities, and precincts. As such, although climate change is expected to exacerbate vulnerabilities and deepen existing gender inequities and inequalities, the impacts will be unequally felt across geographical strata. This implies that the specificity of the vulnerability of women to climate change may also vary from community to community and society to societies. However, mainstream literature on the vulnerability of women to climate changes in coastal zones trivializes the plurality and nuances of different geographical contexts by universalizing context-specific vulnerability to climate change. Mindful of the limitations associated with the generalizing conception of women's vulnerability, this paper is therefore underpinned by the implicit assumption that a successful response to the vulnerability of women to climate change in coastal zone is forged in the nexus between contextual investigation of climate change parameters and a localized investigation of differentiation in gender roles, patriarchal norms and other unknown factors in a particular setting. Thus, this paper presents a case study of the contextual vulnerability of women to climate change in Ilaje coastal region in Nigeria. Examining the intersecting complex of contextual factors, the paper establishes that beyond patriarchal traditions and norms: economic, political, educational and environmental factors are at play in the vulnerability of women to climate change in Ilaje community. To this end, this paper posits that to alleviate the vulnerability of women to climate change in coastal zones, the understanding of contextual factors play a fundamental role. Image 1071 • This study shows the vulnerability of women to climate change in Ilaje coastal region of Nigeria. • The vulnerability of Ilaje women are due to economic, environmental, and sociocultural factors. • Ilaje women are custodians of local knowledge. • Gender inequality, capacity building and empowerment should be addressed in this region. • Involvement of Ilaje women is crucial for mitigation and adaptation of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food is connected to sustainable development goals in numerous ways, as food security is key to achieving sustainable development. The world is currently not on track to achieve the set sustainable development goals (SDGs). In Nigeria, flooding is a recurrent disaster and constitutes a setback to success with the SDGs and sustainable development. Flooding disasters are a threat to food security due to their impact on the food system. This study is an integrative review that explores the link between Nigeria's flooding, food security, and the SDGs. It adopts an assemblage and systems thinking approach to analyze the impact of flooding on all components of food security. It finds that, despite the impact of flooding on food security, it is not recognized as a threat by policymakers, as evidenced by the lack of mention of disasters in the current Nigeria Agriculture Promotion Policy (APP). Attention is drawn to this oversight in this work by highlighting the interconnections between flooding, food security, and sustainable development. Recommendations on flood mitigation and adaptive practices that can alleviate the negative impact of flooding on food security to enhance the success rate of the SDGs are proffered. This work contributes to the literature by showcasing the impact of flooding on food security and its connection to sustainable development, which is an area that has not received adequate attention in research. The assemblage and system thinking approach adopted brings novelty and allows for a succinct understanding of how flooding impacts all four aspects of food security. This paper serves as the first time the problem has been explored in this manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding changes in evaporation rates is expected to be of great importance for water resource planning and management. This paper examines pan evaporation data as an example of the detection and attribution of trends in climate variables. Records of pan evaporation ( Epan), rainfall ( R), radiation ( SR), wind speed ( WS), temperature ( Ta) and humidity ( RH) for the period 1973-2008 were collected from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria. Mann-Kendall trend and Sen's slope tests were performed on the respective meteorological variables and a variability index (VI) was also computed for these. The results showed that annually Epan, SR and WS significantly decrease ( P < 0.001) while R, Ta, and RH showed insignificant increasing trends in the last four decades. Epan and SR decrease at the rate of 8.3 mm year−2 and 37.8 MJ m−2 year−1, respectively. Similar to Epan, SR decreased significantly in all the months ( P < 0.01) and the reduction ranged from 5.1% per decade in March to 9.3% per decade in August. The result of VI showed that the decrease in Epan and other explanatory variables is rather recent. Regression between Epan and other variables indicates that about 30, 15 and 6% of its variance can be explained by SR, WS and VPD (vapour pressure deficit), respectively. The possible roles of dust-haze known as 'harmattan' winds and monsoon clouds in attenuating SR and hence reducing Epan are discussed. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assessed the influence of Nigerian media on public knowledge of climate change. This work acknowledges that public understanding of climate change is a prerequisite to taking voluntary action to mitigate its effects. The work therefore sought to ascertain the specific ways in which Nigerian media reportage of climate change had influenced public knowledge of the subject matter. A survey was conducted in Abuja, Enugu, Ikeja and Port Harcourt. Editors of four newspapers in Nigeria were interviewed. Results indicated that the mass media did not rank the highest as sources of information for the audience on climate change, and they (media) did not significantly influence public knowledge of climate change. This finding differed from results of studies in the US. Respondents linked climate change to changes in weather patterns. This study recommended that opinion polls are necessary to see where audience interests lies as well as how much media views influence public understanding in terms of communication effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change affects agriculture in many ways, one of which is its direct impact on food production. This is particularly significant in developing countries, where agriculture is mainly rain-fed, providing employment and income for the majority of the population. This paper, based on data from 400 randomly selected farmers in Enugu and Imo states in South East Nigeria, assesses some effects of climate change and the cost implications of farmers' adaptation practices. Virtually all respondents reported unusual rises in extreme events such as thunderstorms, heavy winds and intense heatwaves; uncertainties at the start of the farming season such as unusual early rains, erratic rainfall and delay in the onset of rain; the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds; and signs of land degradation such as declining soil fertility and the drying up of streams or rivers. The overall impact (on farm yield and income) was significantly higher for Enugu than for Imo, possibly because Enugu has drier weather. The greatest perceived effects of climate change were reduced yield and income, drying up of streams and rivers, reduced storage quality of crops, loss of pastureland and/or vegetation and the destruction of wildlife ecosystems. Coping strategies with a relatively high profitability index were multiple cropping/intercropping, agro-forestry/afforestation, mulching, purchase/ harvesting of water for irrigation and the use of resistant varieties. Extension services need to promote appropriate adaptation practices among farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar energy, which is inexhaustible and abundant, has become an economically viable and environmentally preferable alternative to fossil fuels. There is the inherent advantage of solar energy in mitigation of climate change, generation of employment, and reduction of poverty, as well as increased energy security and supply. It is therefore important to continue to evaluate the global solar radiation levels in countries such as Nigeria with considerably high solar energy potential. In this paper, we report such evaluation for southern Nigeria; in particular, the correlations of meteorological estimates from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and calculated Hargreaves estimates for this region of Nigeria (latitude of 4.75°-7.77°N and longitude of 3.33°-8.32°E) are carried out and the results show a good agreement in all the sites, thereby strengthening the case we make for decentralized renewable energy investments in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years the developing world, much of which is located in the tropical countries, has seen dramatic growth of its urban population associated with serious degradation of environmental quality. Climate change is producing major impacts including increasing temperatures in these countries that are considered to be most vulnerable to the impact of climate change due to inadequate public health infrastructure and low income status. However, relevant information and data for informed decision making on human health and comfort are lacking in these countries. Objective: The aim of this paper is to study and compare heat stress conditions in an urban (city centre) and rural (airport) environments in Akure, a medium-sized tropical city in south-western Nigeria during the dry harmattan season (January-March) of 2009. Materials and methods: We analysed heat stress conditions in terms of the mean hourly values of the thermohygrometric index (THI), defined by simultaneous in situ air temperature and relative humidity measurements at both sites. Results: The urban heat island (UHI) exists in Akure as the city centre is warmer than the rural airport throughout the day. However, the maximum UHI intensity occurs at night between 1900 and 2200 hours local time. Hot conditions were predominant at both sites, comfortable conditions were only experienced in the morning and evenings of January at both sites, but the rural area has more pleasant morning and evenings and less of very hot and torrid conditions. January has the lowest frequency of hot and torrid conditions at both sites, while March and February has the highest at the city centre and the airport, respectively. The higher frequencies of high temperatures in the city centre suggest a significant heat stress and health risk in this hot humid environment of Akure. Conclusions: More research is needed to achieve better understanding of the seasonal variation of indoor and outdoor heat stress and factors interacting with it in order to improve the health, safety, and productivity of Akure city dwellers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prominence accorded the environment and the importance of public engagement in sustainable development issues during the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development underscores the role of environmental information in achieving local environmental sustainability goals. The paper examines the role of the Nigerian press, one of the most vibrant in sub-Saharan Africa, in reporting environmental issues at the turn of the twenty-first century. Two national newspapers, The Daily Times and The Guardian were content analysed for coverage of environmental issues, including climate change, for the 5-year period 1999-2003. The degree of prominence and nature of environmental reports are assessed. The results show that energy issues dominate reports on the environment in both newspapers while climate change, a critical global environmental issue is accorded very little attention. Both newspapers assessed are yet to actively feature environmental articles tailored to issues of everyday life as majority of environmental publications are news reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice production in Nigeria is vulnerable to climate risks and rice farmers over time have experienced the risks and their respective impacts on rice farming. Rice farmers have also responded to perceived climate risks with strategies believed to be climate-smart. Farmers' perception of climate risks is an important first step of determining any action to be taken to counteract the negative effects of climate change on agriculture. Studies on the link between perceived climate risks and farmers' response strategies are increasing. However, there are limited studies on the determinants of rice farmers' perception of climate events. The paper therefore examined climate change perception and uptake of climate-smart agriculture in rice production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria using cross-sectional data from 347 rice farmers in an important rice-producing area in Nigeria. Principal component analysis, multivariate probit regression model and descriptive statistics were adopted for data analysis. Perceived climate events include increased rainfall intensity, prolonged dry seasons, frequent floods, rising temperature, severe windstorms, unpredictable rainfall pattern and distribution, late onset rain, and early cessation of rain. Farmers' socioeconomic, farm and institutional characteristics influenced their perception of climate change. Additionally, rice farmers used a variety of climate-smart practices and technologies to respond to the perceived climate events. Such climate-smart practices include planting improved rice varieties, insurance, planting different crops, livelihood diversification, soil and water conservation techniques, adjusting planting and harvesting dates, irrigation, reliance on climate information and forecasts, planting on the nursery, appropriate application of fertilizer and efficient and effective use of pesticides. These climate-smart agricultural measures were further delineated into five broad packages using principal component analysis. These packages include crop and land management practices, climate-based services and irrigation, livelihood diversification and soil fertility management, efficient and effective use of pesticide and planting on the nursery. High fertilizer costs, lack of access to inputs, insufficient land, insufficient capital, pests and diseases, floods, scorching sun, high labour cost, insufficient climate information, and poor extension services were the barriers to uptake of climate-smart agriculture in rice production. Rice farmers should be supported to implement climate-smart agriculture in rice production in order to achieve the objectives of increased rice productivity and income, food security, climate resilience and mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyses the public perception of climate variability and change on both local and global scales by residents of Ibadan, the largest truly indigenous city in sub-Saharan Africa. Data for the survey was collected by the administration of a questionnaire to 453 respondents of different social and demographic strata within the city. The questions were aimed at eliciting how citizens perceived climatic experiences in their local environment and globally; its dynamics and citizens explanations for the changes identified. Sources of climatic information of respondents were explored and the social and demographic specific difference of respondents on the issues analysed. The outcome of the study indicates that a significant proportion (92%) of the public is aware of the dynamics of the local climate. In addition, almost 70% of the respondents have heard of global climate change but less than 25% know the causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the consequences of climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa is that farmers would be more exposed to production risk. Therefore, it is imperative to analyse the climate-related risk and maize production in Southwest, Nigeria. Secondary data between 1981 and 2012 were collected on relevant variables and analysed using Growth Function, Co-integration Model (Autoregressive Distributed Lag Approach) and J-P Model. The results confirmed the presence of long-run equilibrium between maize production and temperature, rainfall and relative humidity. The Error Correction Model (ECM) value was -0.0238 for the enterprise. The results of the analysis on the climaterelated risk indicated that temperature increased the production risk of maize farmers. It can be concluded that farmers face climate-related risk as temperature increased the production risk of maize farmers. Therefore, stakeholders should create more awareness on the need to always practice eco-friendly activities and put in place coping strategies against the menace of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Nigeria, there have been clashes between herdsmen and crop farmers. While a lot of people have adjudged it to be solely a religious and political affair, the reality on the ground that cannot be ignored is the fact that the fight for limited resources has led to this conflict. Countless lives, properties and source of livelihoods have been lost because of the competition for limited natural resources. A cow on average contributes between 70 and 120 kg of methane per year, and Nigeria has 20 million of them. Calling for a boycott of beef and increasing prices of beef and beef-based commodities in this part of the world, because of its contribution to climate change is unrealistic as Nigerians still struggle to meet their dietary protein requirement. It is of paramount importance that the focus of the government and all concerned stakeholders shift from just ending the conflicts in addressing the root cause and putting sustainable structures in place for a lasting solution guaranteeing food security. This paper aims to establish the need for concerted efforts towards addressing climate change in the face of geometrically increasing populations and rapidly decreasing finite resources which have induced conflict between farmers and herdsmen over limited and scarce resources. • Overgrazing has both positive and negative effects regarding carbon sequestration. • Cow produces between 70 and 120 kg of methane/year, and Nigeria has 20 million of them. • Nigeria lost 39.2% of its vegetation cover (forest and woodland) between 1990 and 2005. • Intensity of cattle grazing can have a huge impact on carbon stocks in grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasslands are essential for life processes. They have been researched by ecologists for decades, leading to numerous theories and debates underpinning the dynamics and sustainability of these natural resources. Due to the scarcity of data/information on specific indices that could elucidate their attributes, the contribution of the 341,800.82 km2 area of savannas in Nigeria to the global scientific discourse is sparse, despite the country's rich biodiversity. Here, we describe these savannas vis-à-vis their diversity, utilization, local disturbances, scientific attentions, and knowledge gaps. We particularly review some globally researched key ecological services – such as carbon sequestration; the stabilizing effects of diversity on productivity; and characterization of microbial biomass and diversity – that could be altered by the local disturbances or trending global environmental change factors but rarely studied in Nigeria. Overall, this paper calls for a paradigm shift in grassland research in Nigeria, from production-based to production-conservation driven. This shift would bring about a sustainable grassland management and utilization techniques that promote adaptation to local or global climate change, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable livestock production. • There is a paucity of information on key ecosystem functions in Nigerian grasslands. • Production-utilization-conservation driven ecology studies are needed in Nigeria. • Biodiversity, C sequestration and microbial studies are worthy of attention. • Global understanding of ecosystem processes needs local inputs for up-scaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addressed yam production in response to climate change in Cross River State using a co-integration model approach. The specific objectives of this paper are to analyze the trend in yam production, annual precipitation, and annual temperature, and to analyze the impact of climate variables on yam production. Time-series data from 1996 to 2017 was used. Based on the analysis, which constituted a linear trend analysis, co-integration test, and error correction model, the study came up with robust findings. The linear trend analysis for yam production revealed a steady increase in output between the years 2005 and 2016. The result of the rainfall trend analysis showed the presence of rainfall variability and irregularity. The trend line for temperature showed an overall downward trend for the period under study. However, the Error Correction Model result showed that temperature was statistically significant and negatively impacted yam production. The study recommends that policymakers should take appropriate steps to encourage the development of pest- and disease-tolerant yam varieties because an increase in temperature leads to the proliferation of insects, pests, and diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigeria is the single largest producer of cassava in the world with the bulk of the cassava coming out from the Niger Delta region. Human, economic and agricultural activities are currently threatened in the region by vagaries in climatic factors. These vagaries affect the production and profitability of cassava. The study was therefore conducted to assess the effects of climate change on the production and profitability of cassava in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study made use of a multi-stage sampling technique to select three hundred and sixty respondents across the three highest cassava-producing states (Awka Ibom, Cross Rivers and Ondo) in the region. Data for the study were collected with the aid of well-structured questionnaires assisted with interview schedules. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression model. The determinants of cassava profitability were farm size, farmers' experience in cassava cultivation, farmers' experience in adopting climate change coping strategies, number of climate change coping strategies adopted, costs of input materials in Naira and labour cost in Naira. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is at the centre of both the economic wealth and climate change in the context of pressing national economic issues. It produces the nation's major foreign exchange earnercrude oil, has abundant fishery and marine resources- all of which are threatened by vagaries in climatic factors. The study was conducted to evaluate awareness of climate change and implications for attaining the MDGs in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study made use of a multi-stage sampling technique to select three hundred and sixty respondents across three Niger Delta States (Delta, Edo, Ondo). Data for the study were collected with the aid of well-structured questionnaires assisted with interview schedules administered on the respondents. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The analysis of awareness of climate change indicated that level of awareness is low but improving. It was found, however, that the mass media has played the most significant roles in climate change awareness in the study area. The results also indicated that the respondents had been practicing some indigenous and emerging adaptive strategies to climate change for many years. This study concluded that more awareness about climate change in the Niger Delta region have implications for attaining the M DGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate is changing and global mean temperatures have increased this is expected to have profound effects on food security. Long-term changes in climate will disproportionately affect tropical regions, meaning poor farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa will likely bear the brunt of adverse impacts. Adaptation plays an important role in reducing vulnerability to climate change and is therefore critical and of concern in developing countries, particularly in Africa where vulnerability is high because ability to adapt is low. This study examined farmers' strategies for adapting to climate change in Ogbomoso agricultural zone of Oyo State of Nigeria. One hundred and fifty farmers were interviewed to obtain information from using a multistage sampling procedure. The results of the study showed that the types of climate change identified in the study area were delayed on-set of rainfall (38.0 percent), higher temperature (20.0 percent) and less rain (17.3 percent). The outcome of climate change were food shortage (41.3 percent), decline in livestock yield (30.7 percent), decline in crop yield (28.7 percent) and death of livestock (16.0 percent). The identified actions taken to address climate change are growing a new crop (57.4 percent), adoption of drought tolerant/ resistance crop varieties (50.0 percent), diversification from crops to livestock production (40.7 percent) and using of new land management practices. The long-term improvement investments commonly adapted in the study area were tree planting/agroforestry, mulching/surface cover, improved fallowing and fallowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]