Livelihood Impact of Climate Change in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract

Climate change has been adjudged to be one of the greatest threats to the survival of
man in the 21st century. This has drawn attention from scholars, governments and
non- governmental organizations as well as the general public. The concerns have
centered more on its impacts on humans, especially, the livelihood system of
vulnerable communities in rural areas. Currently, the Niger Delta is faced with the
significant disincentives associated with climate change that all together undermine
the livelihood systems, mainly fishing and farming. This Study, the paper examines the
livelihood impacts of climate change in the Niger Delta Region. To achieve this aim,
it relied on secondary data from extant literature as well as the key assumptions of the
anthropogenic global warming theory. Based on its findings, the study recommends a
strict government policy to protect the environment and a widespread awareness
campaign to build capacity of local people on how to improve their livelihood system
in the face of climate change.