CLIMATE VARIABILITY, LAND DEGRADATION AND RURAL POVERTY IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
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Date
2015-07
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Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Abstract
The problems of climate variability, land degradation and rural poverty are intertwined. This paper reviews the extent, impact and linkages between these three environmental phenomena in Nigeria with particular emphasis on the northern part of the country. Poverty is generally assumed to impose higher risk for resource management. Degradation occurs when the capacity of a natural ecosystem to renew itself is constrained by frequent disturbances due to human activity in the face of increasing climate variability. Conceptualizing the relationship between poverty, land degradation and climate variability becomes important in order to find appropriate solutions to these problems. It is recommended that a proactive policy should be formulated to help in ameliorating the poverty plight associated with environmental problems. Until such is done, rising incidence of poverty and escalating environmental problems will continue to threaten the livelihood of vulnerable communities and the survival of the nation.
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Keywords
Climate variability. land degradation, rural poverty, nexus, and northern Nigeria