People’s Perceptions of the Impact of Climate Change and the Effect of a Community Development Project in Nigeria

Abstract

This research aims to explore the impacts of climate change on communities in low-income countries. A review of the literature on this important and pressing global topic is presented. Since this issue is multidimensional and complex, we try to approach it comprehensively. The social quality scientific perspective has specific affinity with traditional African “holistic thinking.” The empirical part of our research concerns a study in northern Nigeria on rural residents’ perceptions of various aspects of environmental changes caused by climate change, and the impacts on the social quality of their daily lives. The protective effects of a community development project (the National Climate Change Policy Response, NCCPR) are also explored. Farmers appear to be the most vulnerable group. Climate change significantly compromises their socioeconomic security, personal security, well-being, and health. We conclude that communities in low-income countries will continue to suffer disproportionally from various kinds of climate-caused disasters. Community development projects have the potential to decrease their vulnerabilities. This article justifies a strong normative plea to the countries that have caused the human misery depicted to take responsibility by contributing to restoration payments and enforcing sustainable behavior of CO2-emitting industries.