Eleventh International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

Change in Climate is surreptitiously impacting the environment and humans with ominous consequences on vulnerable residents and communities. This study thus examines households and communities’ vulnerabilities and response patterns to impacts of climate change in Ibadan, Nigeria. 45 years data on temperature and rainfall (1970-2015); Incidence of clinically diagnosed Climate Related Diseases (CRDs) (2000-2014) among aged people (≥50years); residents’ perceptions of impacts, exposure, sensitivity and response patterns to climate change were sourced secondarily and primarily. The study examines relationship between climatic parameters and CRDs with Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) and projects incidences into year 2050. Four indices: Hazard Exposure (HEI); Hazard Sensitivity (HSI); Adaptive Capacity (ACI) and Perceived Vulnerability (PVI) were developed to analyse residents’ vulnerability to climate change Relationship between households’ and communities’ attributes and perceived vulnerability was examined with multiple regression analysis. Findings showed a continuous increase in mean temperature and rainfall (r = 0.99). Three most prevalent CRDs were hypertension (35.1%), respiratory disease (21.7%), diarrhoea (14.6%). Vulnerability to climate change was near universal among households (99.8%) and communities (97.8%) and increased with age (r = 0.320), but inversely related with income (r = - 0.056) and length of stay (r = -0.019) in community. Responses to impacts included use of fans/air-conditioners (93.6%) and use of water storage tanks (81.3%) among others. Thus, households and communities in Ibadan are held continuously vulnerable to climate change impact. This study recommends opportunity advocacy, security enhancement and stakeholders’ participation in decisions and implementation of adaptive capacity projects meant for them.