RURAL DWELLERS’ AWARENESS OF CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY IN UKWUANI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, DELTA STATE
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Resumo
This study assessed the awareness of rural dwellers in Ukwuani Local Government Area (LGA), Delta State, Nigeria, regarding climate change vulnerability. Data were collected from 382 respondents across five communities using structured questionnaires, with a focus on understanding climate change causes, perceived impacts, and local adaptation strategies. The findings revealed that 53% of participants were highly aware of the term "climate change," while knowledge about specific terms like "greenhouse gases" was less widespread. Awareness of climate change's effects on daily activities was higher, but recognition of changing weather patterns was inconsistent. Notable variation in awareness levels was observed across communities, with Ebedei showing the highest level of awareness. Despite moderate to high awareness, gaps remain in understanding specific environmental changes and the science behind climate change, especially concerning greenhouse gases and weather patterns. A moderate positive correlation between awareness and vulnerability was observed, though it was not statistically significant. The study recommends targeted educational programs to address these gaps and enhance understanding of climate change science, thereby empowering communities to better respond to its impacts and vulnerabilities. Further research is needed to explore the factors influencing the relationship between awareness and vulnerability.
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