CLIMATE CHANGE PERCEPTION IN SAMARU, SABON–GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.

Isma’il, M* ., Muhammad, M. A., Salisu, A., Kim, I. Musa, I. and Ibrahim, I. D.

This study examined how the residents in Samaru, Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria perceive climate change and their adaptation strategies. A total of 200 questionnaires were administered to respondents in the study area over a period of two weeks. Systematic random sampling technique was used in the administration of the questionnaire. Findings revealed that Samaru residents perceived climate change in form of temperature and rainfall variabilities. Results showed that 57% of the respondents believed temperature has been rising over the past few years, while 11% of the respondents said that the temperature is decreasing, while about 32% of the respondents perceived no change in temperature condition over the years. Moreover, about 64% of the respondents confirmed that rainfall is decreasing every year, while 25% believed that rainfall is increasing and about 11% viewed rainfall conditions to be normal. Majority of the people attributed the climate change to human activities such as deforestation and urbanization, while some few view the change as a result of natural factors, and a very little see it as an act of God. It was discovered that the people have developed some climate change adaptation strategies which include planting different varieties of crops and irrigation/fadama farming. Although there is some level of awareness on climate change among the people, there is the need to increase the level of awareness through enlightenment.

Key words: Climate Change, Perceptions, Adaptation, Samaru, Basawa, Sabon-gari.