Climate change: knowledge, attitude and practice among the residents of Ifo LGA, Ogun State, South West, Nigeria - challenges and prospects towards site-specific interventions

Abstract

The end of the 19th century witnessed an increase in mean global temperature, with rising sea levels, due to discernible human influence on the global climate, causing untoward effects on lives and properties. The study determined the knowledge, attitude and practice towards climate change among the residents of Ifo LGA, Ogun State, South West, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was done among 410 residents in Ifo L.G.A, using an interviewer – administered questionnaire. Almost six out of ten (57.6%) respondents had poor knowledge on climate change, 48% had positive attitude, while more than two thirds (69.8%) had poor practices concerning the mitigation of climate change. The study revealed inadequate knowledge and practices towards climate change mitigation among the residents, while their attitude was fairly positive. However, respondents demonstrated willingness to reduce carbon emissions. Educational campaigns, aimed at improving climate change knowledge, its effects on lives and properties, need to be instituted in this community. Such campaigns together with approaches at fostering institution-community partnerships, will translate into positive attitude and actions towards mitigating the impact of climate change.