1.1 Introduction
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in weather conditions and patterns of extreme weather events. It may lead to changes in health threat to human beings, multiplying existing health problems. Climate change is one of the most important global environmental challenges, with implications for food production, water supply, health, energy, etc. Addressing climate change requires a good scientific understanding as well as coordinated action at national and global level. Environmental change embraces the change in the framework of natural human surroundings, which include biophysical components and processes of natural environment of land, water and air including all layers in the atmosphere, inorganic and organic matters (Oiamo, 2014).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Climate change has become one of the most dangerous phenomena endangering both the natural and human environments (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2001). Climate change experts have repeatedly noted that raising public awareness of and understanding climate change issues is necessary for finding solutions, according to Ekpoh and Ekpoh (2011).
Odjugo (2011) asserts that both human activity and natural processes contribute to climate change. According to Li (2009), natural factors specifically, variations in solar radiation and volcanic dust accounted for the majority of temperature changes up until 1950. However, recent research has demonstrated that aggressive and unsustainable human activity, both at the home and industrial scale, is to blame for the increased frequency of climate change observed worldwide.
One of the most potent and obvious anthropogenic processes on Earth is urbanisation (Dawson et al., 2006; United Nations Habitat Report, 2011). According to Adeniji and Ogundiji (2009), it is a process and result of social changes, as well as the influx and concentration of people and activities in cities. Population shifts, industrialization-related employment opportunities, consumption trends, international migration, and accessibility all influence the dynamics of the process (Dawson et al., 2006).
Approximately 50% of the global population lives in urban areas, despite making up less than 3% of the planet's land area (United Nation [UN], 2001; Baulk et al., 2004). Between 2000 and 2030, the population of developing country cities is predicted to double (UN, 2004a, 2004b), but their built-up areas are predicted to triple, from 200,000 square kilometres to approximately 600,000 square kilometres (Dodman, 2009). Dodman (2009) further states that in developed nations, cities' built-up areas will grow 2.5 times, from roughly 200,000 sq km to approximately 500,000 sq km, while their population will increase by about 20 percent. Urban areas have been the hub of manufacturing, housing, transportation, and other activities that generate significant greenhouse gas emissions since the industrial revolution (UN-Habitat, 2011).
According to the EIA (2003), the building sector in most countries uses roughly one-third of all energy consumed, but in developing nations, the residential building sector uses more than half of all electricity consumed. In developed nations with cold climates, space heating makes up 60% of residential energy use; other heating uses, like water heating, make up 18%, cooking and refrigeration make up 6%, lighting makes up 3%, and other uses make up 13% (UNEP, 2007).
According to Madzwamuse (2010), stakeholders must be involved at the international, national, and local levels in order to address climate change, which is a problem that affects both the global and local spaces. The urban population has to be made more aware of how household activities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions immediately in order to raise awareness among urban dwellers.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the impact of household activities on climate change and the ways in which urban residents' awareness can be improved.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the challenges impacting Household Activities on Climate Change are both global and local problem, the intervention of which requires the engagement of stakeholders at global, national and local levels. Ekpoh and Ekpoh (2011) asserted that climate change specialists have repeatedly pointed out that a solution to climate change problem will require climate change awareness and its proper understanding.
The most severely affected region of Africa has benefited the least from the international climate change regime, which relates almost exclusively to funding and investments for green, low carbon growth, because past and present global climate change agreements have little bearing on the continent's climate and environmental issues. Hence, this research tends to examine the Level of Urban Residents Awareness on the Impact of Household Activities on Climate Change.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to determine the impact of household activities on climate change and the ways in which urban residents' awareness can be improved. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To ascertain whether urban residents are aware about the causes of climate change in the study area;
- To examine the level of awareness of urban residents to household activities;
- To identify the consequences of climate change on household activities; and
- To proffer possible ways by which urban residents' household activities awareness on climate change can be efficiently improved.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are urban residents aware about the causes of climate change in the study area?
- What is the level of awareness of urban residents to household activities?
- What are the consequences of climate change on household activities?
- What are the possible ways by which urban residents' household activities awareness on climate change can be efficiently improved?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Urban residents are not fully informed about the causes, contributors and consequences of climate change in the study area
- H1: Urban residents are aware about the causes, contributors and consequences of climate change in the study area
1.7 Significance of Study
The outcome of this research when completed will add to knowledge and may be used as a guide for future research. It will be of great assistance to other researchers who hope to learn more about this topic. Non-researchers may also utilize it to expand on their own field of study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Improving Urban Residents Awareness of the Impact of Household Activities on Climate Change using Gwandu Local Government Area of Kebbi State as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research Material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Climate Change:
It refers to long-term statistical shifts of the weather, including changes in the average weather condition or in the distribution of weather conditions around the average (i.e. extreme weather events).
