Emissions from Waste Burning, Uneven Rainfall and Flood Events as Predictors of Climate Change Effects in a Nigerian Community

Abstract

Flooding and waste management related problems have become matter of public health concern in the last few years in Ibadan, Nigeria. In this study, waste management activities at Kube-Atenda in Ibadan with a focus on greenhouse gases emissions (GHS), rainfall pattern and occurrence of flooding were investigated. Data were collected, using calibrated digital meters; portable global positioning system (GPS) device and ArcGIS 9.3 to developed maps of GHG distribution pattern in the community; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) model for GHG generation potential of solid waste burning in a year and, gamma and Weibull distribution for prediction of rainfall pattern and flooding in the area. The levels of GHGs reduced with distance away from the dump site and were higher than regulatory limits. Since β=6.744 is positive, in 3 years from 2014 upward, there could be flooding in the study area if there is no proper management plan.