Thirteenth International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

Adapting to natural catastrophes escalating from climate change is still a pressing issue in the world today. Climate change increasingly impacts roads, farmlands, landscapes, residential areas, which brings about landslides, flooding, and wind damage to economic trees, houses, electric poles, offices, and shops. This scenario is observable in Abia state and the government has continued to fund its alleviation. The resilience that is rooted in a profound understanding of land-use plans and its strict adherence is central in combating natural catastrophes. Most Abia State citizens are less sensitive, very susceptible to harm by a natural catastrophe like flooding and therefore lack adaptation capacity. Assessing rural and urban dwellers response to land use plans in Abia State is significant in reducing vulnerability through adaptation. This research, therefore, aimed to assess the awareness of Abia State citizens in the established state land use plans, their attitude towards the land use plans and factors influencing their attitude. A simple random technique was used to assess six local government areas in Abia State. Rural and urban dwellers were aware of land use plans of the state but have very poor attitudes toward its implementation. Adaptation to land use plans is hampered by a lack of constant campaign on land use plans, illiteracy, high cost of adaptation, poor farming practices, poor location of residential areas, office and business buildings, and scarcity of refuse bins. We recommend a campaign on embracing state land use plans be provided through extension services