THE POLITICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
CONSEQUENCE ON THE FIGHT AGAINST GLOBAL WARMING: A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The burning issues of climate change
and global warning remained one of the greatest challenges of 21st
century. The study examines politics of climate change consequence on the fight
against global warning, using Nigeria as a case study. The hypothesis that
climate change is one of the greatest global challenges whose threat is not
only global but also multi- dimensional,
invincible ,unpredictable and transcend
borders, successive government in Nigeria over the years have ensure
comprehensive approach to issues of global warming and climate change were
analyzed using chi-square technique. To further accomplish this task, a sample
of 200 was taken by administering questionnaires and rate of return was 100%.
The analysis revealed that government in Nigeria should increase the proactive
approach to reduce the effect of climate change on Nigeria environment. The
study therefore recommended that Nigeria state actors need to promote low
carbon economy in Nigeria. The government in Nigeria should also intensify
campaign and enlightenment in climate change. While the UN should sustained the
drastic decision and encourage nations all around to reduce green house gas
emission and get flaring, among other recommendations.
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Climate change is a global
phenomenon, which affects continents, nations and peoples differently. It
afflicts people in various depths and levels, at different times and phases of
existence. There is no nation that is absolutely free from climate change.
Climate change has had a profound effect on economic, socio, cultural,
political, technological and even biological nature of man and plants in the
global village (Oladipo, 2009).
According to Assy (2009), of all the
attributes of climate change, global warming is the most outstanding. This phenomenon which is the gradual increase in
the temperature of ocean and landmasses on the earth’s surface over time, has
resulted in the drastic change in weather and climate pattern
across the world from the slow but quite significant melting of the ice
caps in the arctic and Antarctica
regions, to the incessant incident of unprecedented flooding experienced
in different part of the world etc. these and other disasters such as
hurricanes in the Caribbean and parts of Africa, Asia and America , united
states and Mexico, massive flooding in south east Asia, Europe, Africa,
and forest fire s in the united states , part of Europe and Australia,
excessively high temperature in parts of
Africa , Asia and America , severe and bitter winter in the temperate
regions, excessively intense rainfall in most part of Africa, south east Asia and parts of north and south
America increasing rate of draught and
desertification in most part of Africa content etc all are resultant
effect of Globe worming ( IPCC report 2001).
Edeh and Eme (2014 opined that
climate change has become a factor that has harped on and compounded the
problems of the globe through environmental dimension. Moreover, it has been
viewed by philosophers in the past passively as less harmful, but due to the current
globalization of values, information and trends aided by science and technology,
free movement of goods, services and information likening the world as a
Global village; certain problems and
social changes as climate change has been viewed to of local contribution in
different atomized but yet connected and global effects. Climate change has had
itself to be presented as having a cites trephine and in parlance of the sustenance
of the world biological and non- biological existence.
Assy (2009), viewed that climate
change occur as a result of both internal variability within the climate system
and the external factor (both natural and autogenetic). The influence of
external factors on climate can be broadly compared using the concept of
irradiative force. A positive irradiative forcing such as that produce. By
increasing concentration of green use gases, tends to worm the surface. A negative
irradiative forcing on the other hand arising from an increase in some types of
aerosols (microscope airborne particles) tends to cool the surface. Natural
factors such as explosive voltage activity can also cause irradiative forcing
through its impact is less service than those caused by human activity though
green house.
Akinyosoye (2006) opined that a large
number of scientific and government organization have agreed that global
warming is caused by man-n made increase in green house gases, which include
carbon dioxide, hydropluorocarborns (HFCs) and perfluordcarbons (PFCS). These
gases sit in the earth’s atmosphere absurdly the suns radiation. Current levels
and at 370 parts per million volumes (PPMV), up from 280 ppmv 100 years ago. It
is not one major world vide change that most people do not take into account in
the economy. Smith (2010) stressed that some people benefit financially from
global warming while other people suffer from the adverse effect of global
warning. Some compares that benefit financially are those that are in the
higher land that will not become flooded those that can easily adapt to the
needs of the earth and of earth’s population, and people whose job. It is to
study the environment. Green companies are already reaping benefits from global
warming as people are trying to buy products they do not hurt the environment
when they are made.
On the contrary Ayinde et al (2010)
emphasized that many businesses and types of jobs become obsolete and garlicky
go bankrupt. Those who go bankrupt due to global warming will crumble because
they were in the wrong area could not adapt quickly enough to the changing
needs of the world or their job is not possible any more.
At present human kinds dependence on
carbon based energy is causing global warming and climate change is
accelerating more rapid and dangerous, than anticipated even predicated by
scientists. The 2007 united nations report based on the work of ( 2000)
scientists predicated that Africa and sub- Saharan Africa which included Nigeria would suffer most from drought
agricultural change , rising in sea
level , threatening coastal areas and the speed of tropical pests and diseases
( UN report 2007).
The effect of global warming are also
felt here in Nigeria. The rapid rate of desertification in the northern fringes
of the country is a cause for concern. Areas that were once covered by
vegetation have been engulfed by the rapidly advancing threats of the Sahara.
Same also goes for the coastal fringes with the Atlantic Ocean rising at a
rapid rate with consequences being beach recession as a rescues being beach
recession as a result of coastal erosion. The bar beach and the entire pictorial Island once
for plunge from the Atlantic are now competing for space with
the surging waves of the ocean. There is a growing fear of the fact that
this and other coastal areas of the country would one day be completely
submerged by the sea. The vulnerability of the Niger delta region of the
country has been demonstrated by the
devastating effect of pollution and land depredation base on the activity of
oil companies operating in that oil companies operating in that part.
Hence it is of paramount to
understand the politics of climate change consequence on the fight against global
warming, with a focus on Nigeria. Though the Nigerian government has
commendably being in the fore front in the campaign against climate change and
global warming, more needs to be done in the area of environmental
sensitization. Lack of total enforcement of environmental laws, ignorance and
some traditional beliefs have continued to
be obstacles to environmental sustainability.
1.2
Statement of Research Problem
The fight against global warming g
has been replete with genuine interest on the one hand and intrigues on the
other. Thus fight has unfortunately been over
wheel melded by this intrigues
and politicization by different interest groups, especially some of the economically
developed countries of the world which have
tried by all means to ensure that their economic interests are protected
even if ,it means going against some international protocol to curb global
warning and climate changes.
The argument behind this
uncompromising stance by the developed nation on the one hand and the won
commitment of the developing nations on the other stamps from political and
economics. While the developed nations argue that the cost of carbon divide
reduction would be too high to bear. The developing nations Nigeria on the
other hand are keen to ensure an accelelerated rate of development which is equally
dependent on carbon- inducing avenges. the while it took the developed nations
quite a time and resources to developed their
economies at the expense of many factors including the world’s climate
the developing countries need time and resources to develop
their own economies so as to meet up with the developed world. Hence any
attempt to limit this pace or development through embargo on carbon emission would
amount to deprivation of the industrial base of such countries and would
therefore prolong the rate of dependency on these industrial nation and further
lead to economic slavery. There should therefore be and of waiver for them they
argue.
While this argument rape on and
different position taken the fact remain that the state of the world’s climate
in continued to deteriorate over the years and at an alarming rate. However
what is clear in that there are fears associated with it. Fear of national catastrophe
or food insecurity and of technology change as well as the human security and
other socio- economic impact that can lead to human annihilation. Perhaps that is why the climate change and
economic implication has become a major concern to global governed institution
national government and civil society around the world. For Nigeria, which often not only speak for
herself but also for Africa climate change poses a specific challenge to its terming
population of about 170 million? The need therefore for a comprehensive approach
to issues of global warning by the government becomes pertinent i. e to tackle ecological and environmental
problems in the country as an assurance
that the fight against climate change
and global warming is really in progress.
1.3 Objectives of
the Study
The objectives of the study basically are to:
I.
Examines The Issues Of Climate Change In
Nigeria.
II.
Identify Significant Changes Brought By Climate
Change On Nigeria.
III.
Address Politics Of Climate Change As It Affects
The Fight Against Global Warning.
IV.
Bring To Focus Suggestion And Appropriate
Recommendations To Sustain The Fight.
V.
1.4 Research
Questions
The research questions would guide
the researcher on what to do as well as how to go about the research work. The
research questions will include this following:
I.
What is the impacts and biting effect of climate
change in Nigeria?
II.
What are the ecological problems, which have
direct link to climate change?
III.
If so much effort has been made by the Nigeria
Government campaign against climate
change and global warming, why are Nigerians still largely indifferent?
IV.
Are relevant agencies responsible for the
regulations and control of environmental
regulations and control of environmental abuse strategically empowered to tackle these problem?
1.5 Research
Hypothesis
The research hypotheses that will
guide the study are as follows:
1 Hi:
that climate change is one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st
century whose threat is not only global but also multi dimensional invisible unpredictable
and transcends borders.
Ho:
that climate change is not one of the greatest global challenges of the 21s
century whose treat not global non multidimensional non invisible, but predictable
and neither Transcend borders
2. Hi: successive garment in Nigeria over the years have ensure
comprehensive approach to issues of global warming and climate change
Ho:
successive government in Nigeria over the years have failed to ensure
comprehensive approach to issues if global warning and climate change
1.6 Scope and
Limitations of the Study
To conduct an
effective research in Nigeria is always a herculean task, owing to people
attitudinal disposition towards the release of information. The study focuses
on the politics of climate change consequence on the fight against global
warning with Nigeria as the case study
The cost of
financing the research work is high and there is invited fund available for the
research work.
1.7 Significance of the Study
Achieving significant
result in rescuing global warning often hinges on what is done, how it done
when it is done and whom it is targeted at. It is obvious from several studies
that climate change is impacting negatively on the environmental. It therefore
requires concerted effort by all to contribute to the success of this all –
important but elusive goal. Such efforts can only be meaningful if it stems
from an empirical study in order to support the government to realize the
global lofty objective of fighting global warning.
I.The study is expected to be a concerted effort
to identify articulate and highlight the existence, the causes and effects of
climate change
II.It
is a guest to streamlining climate change measure and approach towards making
them more potent.
III.The
study is also expected to be benefit to a number of groups especially
stakeholders of climate change and global warning reduction effort such as non
government organization and community based group would be encourage to continual
the fight against global warning
IV.The
research is expected to be part of data
bank for operators as well as policy makers in the fight against global warning
V.It
will arouse the interest of student to
conduct more research in this field of
study
1.8 Research Mythology
Both
primary and secondary data were used in the study. The primary data used were
the questionnaire administer, tend commented for analysis. The secondary data were dewed
from various published data in books, newspaper, magazine, articles and archive
records.
1.9 Definition of Terms
Politics:
The articulation and aggregassion of interest through bar gaming and compromise
Climate Change:
This is a pattern of change affecting global or regional climate conditions
Global Warming:
This palpable increase in global temperature that cause the atmosphere to be warmer
Globalization:
Is a process of creation a global market place, for interconnection and facilitate dependence.
Development: The progressive movement that encompass
position change
Mitigation and Adaptation Measures:
mitigation is the slowing down of global warning adaptation is deeply with
the exciting damage
or efforts of climate change.
Global Warming:
This is a gradual reduction in the amount of global direction irradiance of the earth’s surface. The main cause of this
dimming is an aerosols’
produced by volcanoes and pollutants
Poverty:
Is state where an individual is not able to cater adequately for his / her
basic needs
1.10
Organization of the Study
The
study is organized into five chapters the first chapter deals with the basis
induct of the study, while second chapter receive the excising literature
relevant from the study the chapter is concluded with a theoretic framework
Chapter three focuses on the research
methodology,
While
also chapter four focuses on presentation and analysis of data.
Chapter
five is about summary conclusion and recommendations.
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