Sensitizing Nigerian Citizens on the Effects of Climate Change: Challenges for Social Studies Curriculum Planners and Implementers
- October 22, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: IJRISS, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue IX, September 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
Mofoluwawo Esther Omoniyi
Department Of Social Studies
Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, Nigeria
Abstract: Climate change is a contemporary issue and environmental problem worldwide. Its attendant problems are affecting the sustainability of man and his environment. The cumulative effects of climate change are already visible in Nigeria. These include floods, drought and famine, landslide and so on. It will not only have a negative effect on food supply but also bring some diseases caused by pests such as malaria (mosquitoes). The biggest obstacle is the lack of its sensitization and knowledge and Nigerians need to be sensitized and informed about it. To do this successfully, it has to start from elementary to the highest levels of educational system. Since climate is not restricted to any discipline and social studies is a problem solving subject which’s contents are derived from different areas like environmental education, family life and HIV/AIDS education and other social science disciplines to tackle different problems facing man in his environments, its curriculum should be enlarged to include important aspects of climate change. This paper therefore discusses the concept, types, causes, as well as global effects and specific effects on Nigeria, level of its sensitization in Nigeria, how Nigerians can be better sensitized of its effects and what the social studies curriculum planners and implementers should do to face the challenges.
Keywords: Sensitizing Nigerians, Citizens, Climate Change, and Social Studies teachers.
I. INTRODUCTION
The greatest environmental problem of our time is climate change or global warming. It is global in its causes but its consequences are far more reaching in developing countries particularly Nigeria. Its attendant problems has made it a worldwide challenge. It is a contemporary issue worldwide because of its attendant problems that are threatening the sustenance of man as well as his environment.
Jekayinfa (2011) reiterates that its problem is becoming more severe in the under-developed and developing countries. Climate change as the new reality of our time brings with it changes in weather patterns that can have serious repercussions for human beings, harming ecosystem and water supply, affecting agriculture and food production, upsetting seasonal cycle, and causing sea-levels to rise. The cumulative effect of climate change is already visible in Nigeria (Reilly, 1999).
