SOCIAL ECOLOGY, CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AMONG URBAN/SEMI-URBAN SETTLEMENTS IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA: PROBING ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR AND COMMUNITY – SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This study examined knowledge of symbiotic relationship between man and natural environment, climate change and their implications to sustainable environmental behaviour and sustainable development among the urban/semi urban settlers in southeast Nigeria. The study was guided by Environmentally Responsible Behaviour (ERB) model, to understand the extent of environmental and ecological knowledge, and pro environmental sustainability behaviour among the citizens. 640 respondents (18+) from 16 settlements across the region were randomly selected for the study, while survey design was adopted for the study with the aid of questionnaire instrument. The data collected were analysed with aid of descriptive and inferential statistics tools for testing the relationship of substantive variables in the study. From the findings of the study, positive predictors of knowledge of social ecology included public media enlightenment on environment (p < .000), public institution quality (p < .000) and environmental citizenship (p < .000). Knowledge of solid waste management (p < 0.01) positively correlate with pro environmental behaviour. Positive predictors of global climate change awareness include knowledge of the natural environment, public media enlightenment on environment and duration in the place of residence (p < .000).