Nigerian Coastal Region's Vulnerability to Climate Change

Abstract

Nigeria’s coastal region is considered to be highly vulnerable to climate change and climate variability due to its proximity to the sea. With increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall, fewer resources to adapt: socially, technologically, and financially, it is being challenged and threatened by a multitude of environmental problems such as sea-level rise, Saltwater intrusion in the aquifer, inundation of low-lying areas, flooding, soil and coastline erosion, pollution, habitat loss, loss of biodiversity, etc. A substantial amount of work has already been done by many researchers on assessing the impacts and vulnerabilities of climate change, as well as considering possible adaptation options. However, they have been focusing on individual components of complex systems and have not been able to fully address issues or inform interventions such as those that aim at empowering communities from a gender perspective in the study areas in a holistic manner. This paper which seeks to address this gap presents a review of several past research studies by carrying out an in-depth study of methods adopted, findings, and recommendations. The study identified risks, classified vulnerabilities, and assessed results, revealing that climate variability and change interventions face challenges or are only partially effective.. Reducing the vulnerability of coastal communities to the impact of climate change requires a holistic approach. To assist adaptation planning and the implementation of strategies, barriers and enablers which are critical have been identified. Our findings will contribute to the field of climate change impacts in understanding the complexities of rural development