Journal of Research in Peace, Gender and Development (ISSN: 2251-0036) Vol. 3(4) pp. 54-57, June, 2013
Available online@ http://www.interesjournals.org/JRPGD
Copyright ©2013 International Research Journals
Review
Global warming and its implication on the economy: the
Nigerian perspective
Promise E. Kigho
M. Sc. Student, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
E-mail: sociologistmudy@hotmail.co.uk; Tel: +2348037761257
Abstract
The impact of global warming are almost felt in all facets of the economy. Scientists and economists
are beginning to grapple with the serious economic and environmental consequences of global
warming quickly and deeply. The costs of global warming are so tremendous that the estimates of the
costs vary from country to country but most figures put out are in the trillions. This paper therefore
sought to examine the impact of global warming on the Nigerian economy. The data used for this study
was primary coming from the field work of questionnaires in six zones of the federation. A statistical
method for a test of the collected data, outcomes of questionnaires has been used through the present
study. The results of the study revealed that global warming has significant impact on the Nigerian
economy.
Keywords: Global warming, climate change, green, economy
INTRODUCTION
The impact of global warming is almost felt in all facets of
the economy. Scientists and economists are beginning
to grapple with the serious economic and environmental
consequences of global warming quickly and deeply. The
costs of global warming are so tremendous that the
estimates of the costs vary from country to country but
most figures put out are in the trillions.
Nigeria
particularly is vulnerable to global warming and this
vulnerability has been demonstrated by the devastating
effects of recent flooding in the Niger Delta region of the
country and the various prolonged droughts that are
currently experienced in some parts of Northern region.
Thus, for many countries that are highly vulnerable to
effects of global warming, understanding the effect is
crucial, as it will help in designing appropriate coping
strategy (Dinar et al, 2006). According to Adams et
al.(1998), global warming is, quite literally, when
temperatures of the world's atmosphere rises. Between
the periods 1956-2005, the average earth's temperature
rose and 13°C per decade. This might not seem like
much, but it was double the rate for the 100 years from
1906 to 2005. Temperatures in colder areas, like the
Arctic, rose twice as fast as the average. The increase of
temperatures on the land doesn't tell the full story. That's
because the ocean absorbed 80% of the heat. This has
led to the ice caps melting at a rate of 2.7% per decade
since 1978. It also caused sea level to rise at an average
rate of 3.11mm per year between the periods 1993-2003,
nearly double the rate between the periods 1961-2003.
(IPCC Climate Change 2007).
Akinyosoye (2006) opined that a large number of
scientific and government organizations have agreed that
global warming is caused by a man-made increase in
greenhouse gases, which include carbon dioxide,
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs).
These gases sit in the earth's atmosphere, absorbing the
sun's radiation. Current levels are at 370 parts per million
volumes (ppmv), up from 280 ppmv 100 years ago. It is
one major worldwide change that most people do not
take into account in the economy. Smith (2010) stressed
that some people benefit financially from global warming
while other people suffer from the adverse effect of global
warming. Some companies that benefit financially are
those that are in the higher lands that will not become
flooded, those that can easily adapt to the needs of the
Earth and of Earth's population, and people whose job it
is to study the environment."Green" companies are
already reaping financial benefits from global warming, as
people are trying to buy products that do not
hurt the environment when they are
made.
Kigho 55
On the contrary, Ayinde et al. (2010) emphasized that
many businesses and types of jobs become obsolete and
quickly go bankrupt. Those who go bankrupt due to
global warming will crumble because they were in the
wrong area, could not adapt quickly enough to the
changing needs of the world or their job is not possible
anymore. This paper assesses the impact of global
warming on the economy. The paper is divided into four
(4) parts: Literature Review, Methodology, Data Analysis
and Conclusion/Recommendations.
Literature review
Climate change refers to a change in climate that is
attributable directly or indirectly to human activities, that
alters the atmospheric composition of the earth which
leads to global warming. Climate change has the
potential of affecting all natural and human systems and
may be a threat to human development and survival
socially, politically and economically (Deressa and
Hassan, 2010). Nigeria has a variety of ecosystems, from
mangroves and rainforests on the Atlantic coast in the
south to the savannah in the north. Whether dry or wet,
the ecosystems are being battered by global warming
while excessive flooding during the past and occurring
now in some part of the South-South (Bayelsa and River
State), East (Anambra State) and North (Adamawa,
Yobe) has hurt farming in coastal communities and
rendered people homeless. But it has been discovered
that the real problem is climate change. According to
Deressa et al. (2008), rainfall in the Sahel declined
steadily since the 1960’s. The result has been the loss of
farmlands and conflicts between farmers and herdsmen
over ever decreasing land. Many different communities,
including fishermen, farmers and herdsmen, are now
confronted with difficulties arising from climatic changes.
Nigeria is one of the countries expected to be most
affected by the impacts of climate change through sea
level rise along her coast line, intensified desertification,
erosion and flooding disasters and general land
degradation.
According to a report in Guardian
Newspaper, Nigeria lose close to $9 billion as a result of
the catastrophe while, at least, 80per cent of the
inhabitants of the Niger Delta will be displaced due to the
low level of the oil-rich region (Hassan and Nhemachena,
2008). As Nigeria’s economy improves, its per capita
greenhouse gas emissions may approach those of the
developed nations of the world. This combined with
continued gas flaring and a large population will further
worsen Nigeria’s standing as a key emitter of greenhouse
gases globally (Nkomo, Nyong and Kulindwa, 2006).
According to Niggol and Mendelsohn, (2008) human
activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels for
transportation and energy production, are increasing the
concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the
atmosphere trapping heat and causing global warming,
climate change and sea level rise. Climate change is
indeed a global problem. Therefore, there is the need for
serious attention from the government and individuals to
play its role in order to protect the darling earth. Nigeria
has a population of about 140 million impacting on the
physical environment through various activities within the
area of 923,000 square kilometres. This couple with
variability in elements of climate such as rainfall and
temperature exposes the country to the impact of climate
change. Nigeria’s vulnerability will be in two manners;
first, the resulting impacts of climate change and second,
the impact of response measures. This is because
Nigeria’s economy is highly dependent on income
generated from the production, processing, export and
consumption of fossil fuels and associated energyintensive products (Central Bank of Nigeria 2006).
Despite this huge implication of climate change
response measures for Nigeria’s economy, it is appalling
that there is no visible demonstration of the preparedness
of the government to tackle this issue. The greatest
cause for concern is that the blueprint for Nigeria’s
development Vision 2010 fails to give a mere
acknowledgement of the importance of climate change to
Nigeria’s economy, let alone stipulate the development
strategy with which to tackle it (Medugu, 2009).
The economic and social implication of climate change
in the country is multidimensional.
Most economic
activities that form the backbone of the nation’s economy
are located within the coastal zone. Environmentally,
Nigeria’s climatic regime stands to be severely disrupted
leaving its forests and water resources at risk (Naylor, et
al.2007).
The climate changes have had adverse
implications for water resources for power generation,
agriculture and the economy as a whole.The above
analysis clearly suggest that it will not only be
economically beneficial for Nigeria to craft a climate
change-response development strategy, but that
factoring climate change abatement into the overall
economic development plan is also crucial for its own
self-preservation. Besides, the headroom allowed
developing countries such as Nigeria to increase their
greenhouse gas emission but only temporary. Nigeria,
will inevitably be subjected to the International climate
change abatement measures and beginning now to put
adequate climate change abatement institutions and
regulatory framework in place will obviously be to its
benefits (Apata, Samuel and Adeola, 2009.
In Nigeria today, some state governments in
collaboration with the Federal government have begun
taking steps to mitigate the effects of global warming in
Nigeria. The government therefore need to largely
educate Nigerians on how best to safeguard their lives
and properties in the light of global warming in Nigeria.
METHODOLOGY
Nigeria has a population of about 140 million and an area
56 J. Res. Peace Gend. Dev.
Table 1. Contingency Table
2
ZONES
O
E
Ʃ(O – E)
(O – E)2/N
Z1
158
100
3,364
3.54
Z2
159
100
3,481
3.66
Z3
158
100
3,364
3.54
Z4
158
100
3,364
3.54
Z5
159
100
3,481
3.66
Z6
158
100
3,364
3.54
TOTAL
950
47.3949
2
X
21.48
Source: Field work, 2012
of 923,000square kilometres. It has a variety of
ecosystems; from mangroves and rainforests on the
Atlantic coast in the south to the savannah in the north.
Whether dry or wet, these ecosystems are being battered
by global warming. While excessive flooding during the
past decade has impaired economic activities especially
in the coastal communities, desertification is ravaging the
Savannah Sahel. Traditionally, desertification in the
Sahel has been blamed on overgrazing practices of the
local population. But it has been discovered that the real
problem is climate change. The inhabitants livelihoods
are being harmed, and people who are already poor are
becoming even more impoverished and people who lack
good habitats have none.
Primary data was used for this study and the primary
data consisted of 1,200 respondents’ (200 respondents
from each zone) but only 950 responses were useful.
This study analysed the determinants of global warming
on Nigeria using a multinomial choice model in all the six
zones in Nigeria.
Data analysis
Out of the 1,200 questionnaires that were administered to
respondents, 950 questionnaires were fully completed
and this constitutes the basis for our analysis in the
study: table 1 above
Where:
O
E
N
Z
DF
=
=
=
=
=
Observed Value
Expected Value
Number of observations
Zones
Degree of Freedom
2
Test Statistic: X =
significance:
Z
=
6
Df =
5
2
(O – E) /N at 0.05
level
of
Since the calculated chi-square value is greater than
the tabulated value, we reject Ho and accept Hi. From
the result of the above analysis, global warming has
significant impact on the Nigerian economy.
CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATIONS
The impact of global warming is almost felt in all facets of
the economy. The study therefore concluded that global
warming has significant impact on the Nigerian economy.
Arising from the analysis associated with global warming
in Nigeria, the following recommendations are made,
thus:
There should be used of high performance technology
equipments that have an environmental green technology
and renewable energy source.
There should be public awareness of the global
warming problem and its solutions.
The government through its agencies should reduce
reuse and recycle wage by choosing reusable products
instead of disposables. Buying products with minimal
packaging (including the economy size when that makes
sense for you) will help to reduce waste.
The use of less heat and air conditioning should be
encouraged. Adding insulation to your walls and attic,
and installing weather stripping or caulking around doors
and windows can lower your heating costs more than 25
percent, by reducing the amount of energy you need to
heat and cool your home. Turn down the heat while
you're sleeping at night or away during the day, and keep
temperatures moderate at all times. Setting your
thermostat just 2 degrees lower in winter and higher in
summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon
dioxide each year.
Drive Less and Drive Smart: Less driving means
fewer emissions. Besides saving gasoline, walking and
biking are great forms of exercise. Explore your
community mass transit system, and check out options
for carpooling to work or school. When you do drive,
Kigho 57
make sure your car is running efficiently. For example,
keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas
mileage by more than 3 percent. Every gallon of gas you
save not only helps budget, it also keeps 20 pounds of
carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
There should be need to encourage buying energyefficient products. When it's time to buy a new car,
choose one that offers good gas mileage. Home
appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient
models, and compact florescent bulbs are designed to
provide more natural-looking light while using far less
energy than standard light bulbs. Avoid products that
come with excess packaging, especially moulded plastic
and other packaging that can't be recycled. If you reduce
your household garbage by 10 percent, you can save
1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.
The government should encourage planting of trees. If
you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. During
photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon
dioxide and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of
the natural atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth,
but there are too few of them to fully counter the
increases in carbon dioxide caused by automobile traffic,
manufacturing and other human activities. A single tree
will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide
during its lifetime.
The government should encourage others to
conserve. Share information about recycling and energy
conservation with your friends, neighbours and coworkers, and take opportunities to encourage public
officials to establish programs and policies that are good
for the environment.
REFERENCES
Adams R, Brian H, Stephanie L, Leary N (1998). Effects of global
climate change on agriculture: An Interpretative Review. Clim.
Res.; (11):19–30.
Akinyosoye VO (2006). Government and Agriculture in Nigeria: Analysis
of Policies, Programme and Administration. Macmillan Nigeria
Publishers Limited, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Apata TG, Samuel KD, Adeola AO (2009). Analysis of Climate Change
and Perception Adaptation among Arable Food Crop Farmers in
South Western Nigeria.Contributed Paper prepared for presentation
at the International Association of Agricultural Economists’ 2009
Conference, Beijing, China, August 16-22.
Ayinde OE, Ajewole OO, Ogunlade I, Adewumi MO (2010). Empirical
Analysis of Agricultural Production and Climate Change: A Case
Study of Nigeria. J. Sustainable Dev. Afri.; 12(6).
Central Bank of Nigeria (2006). Statistical Bulletin, Publication of CBN,
Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2003. Publication of the
Federal Government of Nigeria.
Deressa T, Hassen R, Alemu T, Yesuf M, Ringler C (2008). Analyzing
the determinantsof farmers’ choice of adaptation measures and
perceptions of climate change in the NileBasin of Ethiopia.
International
Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Discussion
Paper No. 00798. Washington, DC: IFPRI.
Deressa TT, Hassan T (2010). Economic Impact of Climate Change on
Crop Production in Ethiopia: Evidence from Cross-section
Measures. J. Afri. Econ.; 18(4):529–554.
Dinar A, Hassan R, Kurukulasuriya P, Benhin J, Mendelsohn R (2006).
The Policy Nexus Between Agriculture and Climate Change in
Africa. A Synthesis of the Investigation Under The GEF/WB Project:
Regional Climate, Water and Agriculture: Impacts on and
Adaptation of Agro-ecological Systems in Africa. CEEPA Discussion
Paper No. 39. Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy in
Africa, University of Pretoria.
Hassan R, Nhemachena C (2008). Determinants of African farmers’
strategies for adapting to climate change: Multinomial choice
analysis. AFJARE, 2 (1):83-103.
IPCC Climate Change (2007).The Impact of Global Warming on the
Economy.IPCC Report.
Medugu NI (2009). Climate Change: A Threat to Nigeria. Powered by
worldpress.com
Naylor RL, Battisti DS, Vimont DJ, Falcon WP, Burke MB (2007).
Assessing risks of climate variability and climate change for
Indonesian rice agriculture Proc. Natl. Acad.CBN J. Appl. Stat. 2(1):
49ci. 104 7752
Niggol S, Mendelsohn R (2008). Measuring impacts and adaptations to
climate change: A structural Ricardian model of African Livestock
Management Agricultural Economics, 38(2008): 151–165
Nkomo JC, Nyong AO, Kulindwa K (2006). The Impacts of Climate
Change in Africa. Final draft paper submitted to The Stern Review
on the Economics of Climate Change, July.
Smith SA (2010). How Global Warming Can Affect the Economy.
Retrieved
fromhttp://contributor.yahoo.com/user/57067/stephanie_a_smith.ht
ml on 6.10.2012