CLIMATE CHANGE AND INNOVATIVE RESPONSE STRATEGIES FOR RURAL COMMUNITY SUSTENANCE

ABSTRACT

The fight against climate change has just become far more urgent, and could become the greatest challenge of survival for mankind ever. The evidence is clear: climate change is now occurring faster. The acceleration of global warming is nearly unstoppable – unless we act now, and unless we act ambitiously, together, as a global community. Climate change has received extensive media attention recently, and it is currently on the international public health agenda. Because of poor response capacities and the projected impacts of climate change, a consensus has emerged that developing countries are more vulnerable to climate change than developed countries. This is due to their warmer baseline climates, their heightened exposure to extreme weather events, the predominance of rain-fed agriculture in their economies and the scarcity of capital for mitigation and adaptation measures. A study of knowledge and attitudes to climate change, most especially from rural Nigerian communities, is important for developing mitigation and adaptation strategies. Recognizing this, the present study sought to investigate the response strategies to climate change impacts on health of the rural communities within southeast of Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to interview 400 respondents using structured questionnaire. Analysis of the data utilized simple descriptive statistics while the results were presented as tables, figures and charts. Findings show that rural areas of Nigeria are vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. It was also found that rural dwellers have poor knowledge of the causes but good knowledge of the effects of climate change in the study area. This calls for response strategies to climate change through environmental education programmes for adequate awareness creation and appropriate mitigation and adaptation strategies to forestall its adverse effects. A basic understanding of public perception on vulnerability, attitude and the risk in relation to climate change on health will provide strategic directions for government policies, mitigation, adaptation strategies and development of community-based guidelines. Lastly, adequate investment in research and capacity building is imperative in building resilient responses to climate change impacts in rural communities in southeast of Nigeria.

Keywords: Climate Change, Vulnerability, Public Perception, Global Warming, Rural Health, Environmental Effect.