A Review of Climate Change Anomalies and Environmental Productivity of Resources in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

This study reviewed climate change anomalies and environmental productivity of resources in Northern Nigeria. The study examined instances of shift of weather patterns which result to threat to crop production through increased instability of precipitation, raising sea levels, pollution of coastal freshwater reserves and increased the risk of disastrous flooding. Increasing warming of the atmosphere has aided the poleward spreading of pests and diseases that was once limited only to the tropics. The study used available meteorological data on surface air temperature and rainfall for all regions in Nigeria since 1920 to show evidence of climate change. The findings of the study reveals how changes in rainfall and temperature trends affect agricultural productivity. The study findings revealed that the anthropogenic causes of climate change coupled with economic development, urban expansion and fast growing populations are most likely to reduce per capita surface water availability in the country and the region entirely, and climate change is expected to worsen this situation especially in the seasonally dry areas. Nigeria experiences below average reduction in cereals production as a result of unpredictable temperature and rainfall patterns, which are exacerbating the impact of rising unemployment, rural - urban migration and increasing poverty amongst youths. Thus, Agriculture has been pushed by climate change into new era of uncertainty surrounded by shocks. The study concludes that climate change has serious implication on peasant farmer’s livelihood and household food security in the region. Based on the findings, the study recommends the need to aggressively implement climate change adaptation strategies to minimize losses in farm output and income of rural farmers, carefully design climate change policy response which should be incorporated and implemented by both federal and state government in their development plan.