Responding to the Challenges of Global Climate Change in Nigeria through GIS mapping of Carbon IV oxide gas emission

Type Journal Article - International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 4 (11)
Title Responding to the Challenges of Global Climate Change in Nigeria through GIS mapping of Carbon IV oxide gas emission
Author(s)
Volume 4
Issue 12
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
Page numbers 765-774
URL http://www.ijser.org/researchpaper/Responding-to-the-Challenges-of-Global-Climate-Change-in-Nigeria.​pdf
Abstract
Climate change is a global phenomenon and arguably the biggest threat to nature and humanity in recent times. In the
developing countries (DCs), such as Nigeria, rapid growth in urbanization and demography increases the vulnerabilities of human
populations to climate change events, such as flooding, landslide and hurricane. Responding to the challenges of global climate change
(GCC) is focused on mitigating risks associated with climate change events, and assisting human populations to adapt to them. However,
lack of accurate data, also limited access to technology, has caused major bottlenecks in achieving such goals in the DCs. To overcome such
constraints, advantage should be taken of freely available data and open source applications by means of information technology (IT) and
the internet, both of which can be used to good effect. Carbon IV oxide gas (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas commonly emitted in a range
of anthropogenic activities, such as cooking, lighting and solid waste disposal, but an important consideration while responding to the
challenges of GCC has been how to reduce the emission of such a greenhouse gas. This paper discusses Geographic Information System
(GIS) and IT as useful tools for responding to the challenges of GCC, and presents an assessment of CO2 emission across the States of
Nigeria, utilizing demographic data, while considering cooking, lighting and solid waste disposal. From the results, high scale emission of
CO2 is taking place in 14 states of Nigeria, accounting for more than half of the total CO2 emission across the country from those
anthropogenic activities considered, with Kano and Lagos States emitting the most. A regression analysis of those anthropogenic activities
with emitted CO2 shows that cooking contributes most to CO2 emission in the country. This can be attributed to extensive use of firewood
and kerosine in many places as substitutes for more convenient cooking energy, such as gas and electricity cookers, both of which are
becoming too expensive to be afforded by average Nigerians. It is however believed that the results of this study will widen the awareness
of GCC in Nigeria, as well as inform the decision-making of key stake holders towards economic planning and environmental
management in respect of reducing CO2 emission across the country.

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