Climate Change Communication in South East Nigeria: Analyzing Perspectives

Abstract

Climate Change is one of the major concerns of nations in the 21st century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) characterizes it as the latest challenge to sustainable human development. Nigeria, as a nation, is particularly vulnerable to climate change because a large share of its economy is dependent on climate-sensitive natural resources, and there is low level of adaptation measures due to poverty and low technological development. This has necessitated intervention measures communicated by the government and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) through various media such as radio, television, video, newspapers, magazines and new media to ameliorate the impact of climate change. The paper, therefore, is a theoretical review of the climate change in Nigeria. The paper adopts Mental Model to analyze different perspectives of climate change communication in Nigeria. Climate change, impact of climate change, climate change and variability as well as climate change adaptation and prevention are discussed as key issues on climate change communication in Nigeria. Against the backdrop of these analyses, the paper recommended that efforts be made by all concerned bodies on climate change intervention to review the content of the messages for clearer and better understanding to audience. Additionally, there should be creation of communication strategies that would address the major issues of climate change geared towards the achievement of a wider coverage of climate change interventions in the country in meeting the SDG goals.