Impacts of Climate Change on Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Economic, social, and environmental issues associated with climate change pose a serious threat to sustainable developmentSustainable development globally. In NigeriaNigeria and indeed other developing countries, the devastating effects of climate change are felt on the livelihood and health of the people more than the developed economies where there is advanced knowledge and understanding of the issues and where efforts have been made toward mitigationMitigation of the impacts and adaptationAdaptation of systems to cope with the impacts. This chapter presents a deeper understanding and knowledge of the concepts of sustainable developmentSustainable development and climate change and the nexus between the two. The status of sustainable development and challenges is discussed. The causes of climate change in NigeriaNigeria are presented, followed by the impact of climate change on sustainable development with emphasis on how the impact affects urban and rural dwellers as well as gender and socio-economic dimensions of the impact. The chapter ends with suggestions on sustainable strategies for mitigating the impacts, strengthening the relevant institutions and thus fostering the achievement of the SDGs in Nigeria. Data used for the development of the chapter were obtained through structured questionnaires as well as desk study using a comprehensive literature review approach. Samples and case studies were drawn from rural and urban dwellers. Recommendations were provided on a sustainable strategy for mitigating the impacts based on building sustainable resilient and adaptationAdaptation initiatives, strong institutions, and investments that will minimize the impacts of climate change on sustainable developmentSustainable development in NigeriaNigeria.