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Decolonising Climate Change Communication Language for
Sustainable Environmental Management in Plateau State, Nigeria's
Jos North Local Government Area
Damar Jennifer Akor
1
, Dr. Emmanuel Yusuf Damar
2
1
Institute of Strategic and Development Communication, Nasarawa State University Keffi
2
World Health Organization. Bauchi State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.910000463
Received: 16 October 2025; Accepted: 21 October 2025; Published: 16 November 2025
ABSTRACT
The effects that climate change is having on current and future generations are multifaceted, with new
repercussions constantly surfacing that put human and environmental health at a low point. Due to their oblivious
environmental practices, rural areas are more susceptible to climate effects. The language used in communication
is examined to determine how effective it is at guiding people through this natural slip to promote understanding
of climate causes, mitigation, and adaptation. To encourage environmental awareness and action, it also becomes
important to record indigenous languages. In Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria, the study examines decolonising
the Language of Climate Communication for Sustainable Environmental Management. With a foundation in
Participatory Communication Theory, the study employed a combination of questionnaires and Focused Group
Discussions (FGD) to gather data. Seven wards in the research area were used to distribute a total of 70
questionnaires to 70 responders. Sixty-seven completed surveys were validly returned for constructive analysis.
Simple percentages were used to analyse the data and record it in tables. Thirty-five people participated in FDG,
five of them represented each of the seven wards. Respondents stressed the importance of using indigenous
languages to teach them about the causes, effects, mitigation strategies, and adaptation measures of climate
change. The dissemination of information tends to resonate with them, instilling a sense of identity and inspiring
them to take action. The study came to the conclusion that to increase participation in climate discussions, rural
people must be included, and the best communication channel should be used. To guarantee complete inclusivity
in promoting environmental sustainability, it was suggested that both governmental and non-governmental actors
urgently need to enhance climate change communication in indigenous languages, employing visual, aural, and
graphic arts, whenever possible, with cultural signs.
Keywords: Environment, Culture, Indigenous Languages, Climate Change, and Communication.
BACKGROUND
We are in a position as a community to promote the development and sustainability of our environment for
present and future generations. By achieving the aforementioned, we become aware of climate change, one of
the greatest hazards to human health and the environment. Compared to the pre-industrial age, our Earth is
already 1 degree Celsius warmer today. If global warming continues at its current pace, we expect the
temperature to rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2030 and 2050 (IPCC, 2019). The health and physical well-
being of the world, its inhabitants, animals, plants, the environment, and other planets are severely harmed by
this quantum shift in temperature. Extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts, along with wildfires
and rising sea levels, hurt the health of the ecosystem as a whole. Due to ecological changes, climate change also
indirectly affects human health. For example, it can lead to food and water insecurity and the spread of infectious
diseases that are sensitive to climate change, which greatly increases the risk of animal-to-human disease
transmission, including coronavirus, Zika virus, Ebola, and avian influenza (United Nations Environmental
Programme, 2020). In support of this, Amoo, Hambali, and Amoo (2013) contend that to completely comprehend
the gravity of climate change and environmental concerns, one must know how they impact society and the
natural environment, as well as the necessities for human survival, such as energy, transportation, water, wildlife,
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ecosystems, and basic health. Given that drought can lead to decreased food production and that rising sea levels
can worsen flooding, disease transmission, and infrastructure destruction, this illustrates a clear relationship
between climate change and its effects (Damar and Bwakan, 2024).
Nigeria's location in Africa's sub-Saharan region, where temperatures are rising and rainfall patterns are
unpredictable, makes it one of the most susceptible to the consequences of climate change. Heavy rainfall in
September 2024 caused severe flooding in several northeastern Nigerian states, including Adamawa and
Maiduguri, resulting in food insecurity, infrastructure damage, thousands of displaced people, and a lack of
health care. Due to growing desertification brought on by climate change, Nigeria loses about 350,000 hectares
of land annually, making the effects of these floods extremely noticeable (Punch, 2024). Desertification of the
soil increases the risk of flooding in the impacted areas during periods of high rainfall. Prolonged drought alters
the soil's composition, decreasing its ability to absorb water and increasing the likelihood of flooding. Surface
erosion produces sediment, increasing the density of water and intensifying the impact of flash floods (UNDRR,
2024).
Floods in Jos North were worsened by climate change and human-caused environmental patterns in 2022 and
2024, resulting in the displacement of people and the submersion of farmlands in the settlements of Angwan
Rogo, Bauchi Road, and Naraguta (Daily Trust, 2023). Given the negative effects of climate change and the
susceptibility of communities in Jos North, it is critical to examine the communication channels for climate
change to make a crucial first step in developing an environmentally conscious community capable of adapting
to and mitigating climate changes. According to McGahey and Lumosi (2018), various stakeholder groups'
responses to climate change adaptation are increasingly influenced by appropriate and effective communication
about the issue. By enabling people and communities to comprehend the issue, increase awareness, promote
discussion, and affect behavioural change, effective communication can aid in closing the action gap on climate
change. Inadequate use of indigenous languages hinders learning and creates assimilation gaps among the
people. Presenting information in a language they don't understand exacerbates this situation. The most often
spoken languages in the research area are Hausa, Afizere, Berom, and Anaguta.
The study thus examines how effectively decolonising the language of climate change communication can
imprint the proper understanding, attitudes, environmental habits, and behaviours in response to changing
climatic patterns and their accompanying difficulties.
CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATIONS
Climate Change
According to the World Health Organisation (2024), climate change has a variety of effects on people's lives
and health. It can undo decades of advancements in global health and threatens the fundamental components of
good health, including clean air, safe drinking water, a wholesome food supply, and safer housing. In support of
this, the UNFCCC's Conference of the Parties declares that one of the most significant issues of our day is climate
change. In addition to the natural climate variability seen over similar time periods, climate change is
characterised as a shift in the climate that is either directly or indirectly caused by human activity and modifies
the composition of the global atmosphere (United Nations Statistics Division, 2016).
The growing effects of climate change have brought it to the forefront of international discussion. Our modern
society intricately weaves greenhouse gases (GHGs) into its production and consumption processes, major
contributors to climate change. This results in elevated carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in the atmosphere,
which hinder heat transfer from the planet. This process has the effect of raising the temperature and humidity,
which drastically alters the patterns of the climate. Every year, 1.2 million people die from respiratory and
cardiovascular illnesses as a result of high temperatures that increase ozone and other pollutants (WHO, 2016).
Climate Change Communication
Deciphering climate change and its associated impacts on humans, the natural cycle, and the environment makes
it important to identify efficient channels for spreading climate awareness, adaptation, resilience, and mitigation
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measures. Ekeka and Adikuru (2022) assert that choices concerning the location, timing, and mode of message
delivery might be just as significant as choices regarding the content of the message. This implies that figuring
out the most effective and suitable way to reach the largest audience is crucial.
Reducing losses and establishing a breathing atmosphere depend heavily on the effective communication of
underlying climate messages. Enquiries about what and how will become stepping stones for awareness-raising
and adaptation. Information plays a crucial role in this situation, helping to combat ignorance and fostering a
proactive psychological awakening among the enlightened. According to the National Environmental,
Economic, and Development Study (NEEDS) report, a lack of knowledge is one of the difficulties in developing
climate change policies in Nigeria. It emphasised that current data must be logical and easily accessible to be
used for climate change analysis and information dissemination, as well as to enhance our understanding of the
climate issue (Olatumile and Tunde-Awe, 2019). An effective climate change communication model can be used
to increase public knowledge and promote different connections about how the environment functions in
accordance with preserving and repairing nature's ecosystem. Such knowledge becomes crucial for handling the
numerous socioeconomic issues brought on by the effects of climate change.
Decolonising Climate Change Communication Language
When it comes to efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, indigenous languages are crucial. Accessible
climate communication is essential as the globe struggles with the environmental damage and socioeconomic
decline brought on by climate change (SAIS, 2023). To communicate climatic information inclusively, language
is an essential component of culture that can be internalised. Here, the use of indigenous languages for
communication enables those who struggle with English to understand the meaning. In a survey of 166 nations
worldwide, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) states that Latin American
and African nations are the "least prepared" to use cutting-edge production techniques, which can help
stakeholders socialise their local climate solutions into globally applicable and contextually adapted inclusive
innovation strategies through inclusive communication (2023).
Because climate issues and causes are frequently communicated in English, there is a knowledge gap in Nigeria.
According to Comfort Onyaga, more than 70% of Nigeria's subsistence farmers, who are most affected by
climate change do not have access to enough knowledge to help them adapt to the phenomenon and minimise
its effects. These resources aren't available in native languages, even when they do. When they receive
information in English, they often adopt a pessimistic perspective (Izau Africa, 2023). This phenomenon is a sad
reality in the study area because the language medium used to disseminate the information causes rural
communities to lose useful message content about how the environment can be purposefully managed in terms
of waste management, harmful gases, health risks, and intentional healthy attitudes. This trend emphasises how
important it is to localise climate change content to increase awareness and create inclusive climate action plans.
Mbah and Ayegba (2013) reiterate that the main obstacle to effective management of the human environment is
the improper transmission of information. A significant portion of people still do not understand how their
actions harm the natural cycle. Poor waste management is one example of this; during rainy seasons, some
residents of the community dispose of their trash in water drainage systems, believing that the rain will carry it
away. However, they are unaware that this action has the long-term consequence of obstructing water channels,
which inevitably results in flooding when rainfall patterns increase. A victory for environmental sustainability
is the ongoing dissemination of appropriate waste management in a language they can understand.
The primary function of language is to transmit meaning from one individual to another. However, language
does not exist independently of culture. As an essential component of culture, language is located within the
sociocultural community (Olatumile and Tunde-Awe, 2019). This characteristic makes it an excellent tool for
spreading awareness of climate change issues. The effectiveness of communication is crucial to humankind's
ability to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change (Mawa, 2023).
Framework of Theory
The theoretical underpinnings of participatory communication theory serve as the foundation for this
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investigation. This approach aims to encourage community members to actively engage in discussions about
their concerns, which inevitably leads to improvements in societal issues. Paulo Freire introduced the philosophy
of participatory communication in 1983. Freire is a well-known academic whose critical pedagogy, as
encapsulated in his book, "Pedagogy of the Oppressed," greatly aided in the development of this philosophy,
which development specialists and scholars now recognise for its effectiveness in carrying out development
projects. His notion of participation is predicated on the belief that people are capable of critical thought,
conceptualisation, decision-making, alternative selection, and the deliberate planning of social change.
Freire also highlights two-way communication or debate as a technique to reach an agreement on sustainable
development efforts. Additionally, according to Mishra (2017), participatory communication theory places a
strong emphasis on two-way communication practices and principles, which have shifted increasingly towards
a horizontal two-way model that enables direct and active interaction between people through consultation and
dialogue with the aid of the media. The two main development-based tenets of the idea are communication and
involvement. This suggests that participation is based on the belief that ordinary people can conceive and enact
the changes they envision to transform society and the environment. They can do this by conversing and
participating in empowering processes that are embodied in their communication patterns for behavioural
change, as well as by sharing information, knowledge, commitment, trust, and the proper attitudes towards
sustainable production and environmental management. The theory provides a suitable platform for participatory
communication, enabling members to comprehend the complexities of climate change causes and implications.
Outline of the Problem
The environment is still severely impacted by poor environmental management and ongoing bad human
behaviour, demonstrating that people are not fully aware of how habitual attitudes harm the ecosystem.
According to Mawa (2024), the inability of state and non-state actors to effectively explain climate change is
why many people, particularly those in rural areas, do not take mitigation and adaptation measures seriously,
which hinders their understanding of environmental sustainability. Language is the primary means of
communicating climate issues, and the type of language used significantly impacts how climate information is
produced and understood by the audience. When the language used to communicate climate change information
is mostly foreign to the community, it obscures the idea that knowledge equals power. Olatumile and Tunde-
Awe (2019) state that the majority of radio and television shows, as well as newspapers, typically broadcast
environmental messages in foreign languages. In addition to making the messaging seem foreign and elite-
focused, the packaging language causes the intended audience to become disengaged. But as time progresses,
radio and television programs are incorporating indigenous languages to communicate climate change issues.
But more needs to be done to boost communal acceptance and understanding.
Therefore, to effectively communicate information and encourage deliberate climate awareness, mitigation, and
adaptation actions in the study area, the study recommends a strong use of indigenous languages for climate
change communication.
The Objectives of The Study
The following goals serve as the study's guidelines:
1. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of community members in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria,
in communicating the causes, effects, adaptation, and mitigation measures of climate change using
indigenous languages.
2. The study aims to integrate indigenous languages into climate change communication by both
governmental and non-governmental actors for effective environmental sustainability in Jos North,
Plateau State, Nigeria.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Finding answers to the following queries is the primary goal of the study:
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)
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1. Can community members in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria, effectively communicate the causes,
effects, adaptation, and mitigation measures of climate change using indigenous languages?
2. For effective environmental sustainability in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria, should governmental and
non-governmental actors integrate indigenous languages into their communications about climate
change?
THE METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH
The research utilised a mixed-method approach to collect data, which was necessary to accommodate
respondents who were illiterate in English. The techniques were applied in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria, to
evaluate the effectiveness of decolonised language in communicating about climate change and promoting
environmental sustainability. Focused group discussions (FGD) and questionnaires were used. Seven of Jos
North's fourteen wards Abba Na Shehu, Ali Kazaure, Garba Daho, Gangare, Jenta Adamu, Naraguta "A," and
Tudun Wada were used to select the responders at random.
To learn more about the opinions of the community regarding the use of indigenous languages for climate change
communication to create healthier environmental spaces for people and crops in Jos North, Plateau State,
Nigeria, a Focused Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted with 35 participants, five from each of the wards
that were chosen. The study's target population received seventy (70) copies of the questionnaire, which
evaluated how well indigenous languages conveyed information on climate change. Sixty-seven (67) of the
seventy (70) questionnaires given to the responders were completed properly and returned. One (1) questionnaire
was incomplete, and two (2) questionnaires were not returned. Questions and answers were gathered and
calculated as a straightforward percentage.
NR 100
TR 1
Where NR = Number of respondents
TR = Total number of responses
100 = Is the percentage
1 = Is constant
Data Analysis
Table 1: Demographic Data
Age Bracket
Frequency
Percentage (%)
20-29
25
37.3
30-39
27
40.3
40-49
10
14.9
50 and above
5
7.5
Total
67
100
Gender
Frequency
Percentage (%)
Male
39
58.2
Female
28
41.8
Others
0
0
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Total
67
100
Educational Background
Frequency
Percentage (%)
NCE
28
41.8
DEGREE
23
34.3
PGDE
16
23.9
Total
67
100
Source: Field Survey, 2024
Analysis of Table 1
According to the age analysis of Table 1, 37.3% of people are between the ages of 20 and 29, 40.3% are between
the ages of 30 and 39, 14.9% are between the ages of 40 and 49, and 7.5% are beyond the age of 50. In terms of
gender, 41.8% are women, 58.2% are men, and 0% are others. Of those with educational qualifications, 41.8%
possess an NCE, 34.3% have a degree, and 23.9% have a PGDE.
Research Question 1: Can community members in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria, effectively communicate
the causes, effects, adaptation, and mitigation measures of climate change through indigenous languages?
Table 2: The effectiveness of indigenous languages in communicating about climate change.
Responses
Frequency
Percentage (%)
Very Large Extent
40
59.7
Large Extent
20
29.9
Low Extent
5
7.5
Undecided
2
2.9
Total
67
100
Source: Field Survey, 2024.
Analysis of Table 2
According to the data in Table 2, 40 respondents, or 59.7% of the sample size, agreed that indigenous languages
are effective when used to communicate climate change issues, causes, impacts, and actions among community
members in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria, as "Very Large Extent." Twenty respondents, or 29.9% of the
sample size, evaluated the effectiveness of indigenous languages in communicating about climate change as
"Large Extent"; five respondents, or 7.5% of the sample size, rated it as "Moderate Extent"; and two respondents,
or 2.9% of the sample size, were indifferent.
Research Question 2: To effectively promote environmental sustainability in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria,
should governmental and non-governmental actors integrate indigenous languages into their communications
about climate change?
Table 3: Using native languages to communicate about climate change.
Responses
Frequency
Percentage (%)
Yes
58
86.6
No
5
7.5
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Undecided
4
5.9
Total
67
100
Source: Field Survey, 2024.
Analysis of Table 3
According to the data in the above table, 58 respondents, or 86.6% of the sample size, agreed that both
governmental and non-governmental actors should integrate indigenous languages into climate change
communication for effective environmental sustainability in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria. Five respondents,
or 7.5% of the sample size, appeared to disagree on the location of integrating indigenous languages for climate
change communication, while four respondents, or 5.9% of the sample size, expressed no opinion.
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
Research questions were developed based on the framework of the questionnaire distributed to study participants
to address the problem statement. According to the theory and literature examined in the study, the research
questions are given corresponding responses. The results are provided and further examined in accordance with
the stated goals of the study.
Research Objective 1: To evaluate how well indigenous languages in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria, convey
the causes, effects, adaptation, and mitigation strategies of climate change to the local population.
In Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria, 59.7% of respondents acknowledged that indigenous languages are highly
functional in enhancing the communication of climate change messages, giving it a "Very Large Extent" rating
when asked if they are effective in communicating climate change issues to community members. When asked
how effective indigenous languages are at communicating issues related to climate change, 29.9% of respondents
assessed it as "Large Extent," 7.5% as "Low Extent," and 2.9% as "Indifferent." This implies unequivocally that
indigenous languages are effective tools that improve community mobilisation. This is consistent with the
findings of Okafo and Noah (2014), who found that 98.07% of survey participants believed that the language
used to carry out developmental activities that include environmental sustainability is crucial to the project's
success. According to 59.7% and 29.9% of the respondents, indigenous languages play a crucial role in
improving community members' comprehension and subsequent actions. According to Epelle (2023), accessible
communication is essential, given the environmental damage and socioeconomic decline brought by climate
change. To greatly encourage beneficial climate activities, it is important that communications about climate
adaptation and mitigation be translated into indigenous languages and made accessible to diverse groups.
According to 29 community members who participated in the focused group discussions, discussing climate
change in their native tongues foster a sense of ownership, encourages learning coping mechanisms, and teaches
the proper attitudes and behaviours that will help preserve their environment, and climate change concepts like
the ozone layer, ecosystems, greenhouse gases, and a variety of climatic terminologies that are foreign to them
provide a significant obstacle, particularly when the means of communication is in a language they do not fully
comprehend. Recommending that these be made simpler in native tongues such as Hausa, Afizere, Anaguta,
Berom, etc. The result improves their cognitive dispositions and assimilation, which helps them set long-term
objectives to create safer, greener environments.
Research Objective 2: To effectively promote environmental sustainability in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria,
both governmental and non-governmental actors must incorporate indigenous languages into their
communications about climate change.
In order to accomplish this goal, research question 2 is essential. 86.6% of respondents agreed, 7.5% disagreed,
and 5.9% were undecided when asked if indigenous languages should be used in climate change communication
by both governmental and non-governmental entities for successful environmental sustainability. As a result, the
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federal and state ministries of the environment must coordinate their efforts to combat climate change by
establishing the role of indigenous languages in teaching their citizens—particularly those living in rural areas—
about environmental challenges and sustainability. In support of the aforementioned, Oyero (2017) claims that
the relationship between language variety and climate action involvement recognises the critical role that
language plays in determining how people and communities view, comprehend, and interact with environmental
concerns. According to Theresa (2024), identifying and removing language barriers is crucial to advancing
inclusive and equitable environmental initiatives that appeal to a variety of demographics and support
international efforts to address climate change.
Additionally, adaptation is acknowledged by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) as a crucial strategy that nations should employ in order to lessen the effects of climate change.
Additionally, this change must be conveyed in an efficient and effective language medium. In the "2050 Long-
Term Vision for Nigeria," the Nigerian government, through the Federal Ministry of Environment's Department
of Climate Change, acknowledges the necessity of creating efficient adaptation programs to lessen climate
change vulnerabilities. In order to accomplish this, the study suggests that all chances to increase climate
resilience be investigated while including indigenous languages to facilitate active and successful climate change
communication in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria.
The Focused Group Discussion participants bemoaned the government's marginalisation of farmers in particular,
when it came to climate change intervention initiatives. To avoid drought, taunting their agricultural challenges,
the majority of them complained about not receiving accurate information on rainfall patterns to decide when to
plant their crops. They added that to ensure that those who do not speak English do not miss out on important
information for environmental sustainability, climate change communication should also be distributed in
indigenous languages. Non-governmental actors have made an effort to communicate, but they maintain that
more work has to be done to ensure human survival and progressive environmental management.
CONCLUSION
In every social setting, knowledge serves as a hub for development and progress, especially within a community
of people who collaborate to ensure that the environment in which they live is maintained for the purpose of
sustaining life. A deteriorated form becomes apparent where the main idea of environmental sustainability is
lost. To keep the lifecycle moving, it is necessary to use a language that people can relate to while discussing
climate change issues. Adopting indigenous languages promotes awareness, ownership, and appropriate actions
towards environmental sustainability among community members, particularly those living in rural areas who
are more susceptible to the effects of climate change. Sustainable development and strengthening our collective
response to the climate catastrophe depend on indigenous climate communication based on indigenous-led
climate knowledge (Epelle, 2023). Since indigenous languages are ingrained in cultural manifestations that the
people identify with, communication in this context should be culturally reflective, which facilitates positive
connections to information and increases inclusivity. Other nations in Africa, America, and Asia are recording
successes in the indigenization of climate change language, using native languages to increase climate
awareness, action, and resilience. A major limitation in this study is the size of its population sample.
Contribution Of The Study
Decolonizing the language of climate change communication has immense benefits that extend beyond the
immediate community. This localization impacts indigenous knowledge, acting as a collector of signs and codes
that preserve an identity and carry it through a process of growth devoid of indignation and cultural fritter. Here,
it stands as a medium in advancing climate change and building the community’s resilience, which aligns with
SDG 13: Climate Action, one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations
in 2015. Approaches have been engaged in to indigenize climate language, but a gap still exists in incorporating
these indigenous practices and knowledge into prompt actions. The study pragmatically supports ownership of
indigenous processes in climate change communication. Further contributions on the decolonization of climate
change language are listed below.
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i. It creates a room for inclusivity and access to the information provided. When a group of people find
identity in what is being brought forward, it gives a sense of ownership that promotes active engagement
and a zeal to create change, no matter how large or small it may seem.
ii. Indigenous languages that preserve their valued knowledge and cultures aid in creating positive
environmental management practices, as it is presented in a medium, they understand. Informing climate
change mitigation and adaptation approaches.
iii. An adoption of indigenous languages for climate change communication creates a space for trust and
credibility, especially in communities where local languages are predominant. It empowers them and aligns
their thoughts to take collective actions that are practical and directed towards impacting environmental
change. This process is not devoid of challenges but is an effective, inclusive, and culturally sensitive
channel for climate change communication.
Suggestions
The research offers the following suggestions:
1. To guarantee complete inclusivity in promoting environmental sustainability, the Plateau State
government, through the Ministry of Environment, should use audio and visual channels to enhance
climate change communication for mitigation and adaptation efforts in indigenous languages.
2. Additionally, appropriate images, symbols, and colours with cultural connotations must be used. People
who are unable to read or understand what is being communicated electronically can relate to the images
that are provided, which promotes constructive behavioural adjustments.
3. Given their increased vulnerability and susceptibility to the effects of climate change, indigenous
populations must be purposefully included in discussions about climate change and community
intervention initiatives. However, this does not portray them as defenseless entities; rather, it shows that
they are capable of contributing in a meaningful way to the fight against climate challenges.
Implementation Plans
1. To institutionalise mechanisms for the participation of indigenous people in adaptation actions, the
Federal Government, through the Ministry of Environment, should adopt policies that are not merely
theoretical establishments but rather practical, actionable procedures that are oriented towards indigenous
people, as stated in her Adaptation Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change. Since the 2021 adaptation document recognised that more work must be done since
indigenous populations have been excluded from climate-related issues, the federal government must take
the initiative to include indigenous communities by using language to connect with and support them.
2. To educate and promote climate change discourse, adaptation, and mitigation actions among indigenous
communities, as well as to encourage indigenous content that can help address climate challenges, the
Ministry of Information and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) need to dust off their books and
facilitate more indigenous content in the information airwaves. Nigerian Meteorological Agency
(NIMET) can diversify its weather climate messages in various languages especially for rural
communities to boost understanding and foster engagement.
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