Perceived Climate Change Impact on the Livelihoods of Rural Families in Numan, Adamawa State- Nigeria

This study examined the perceived climate change impact on the livelihoods of rural families in Numan Local Government Area, Adamawa State-Nigeria. Four objectives and three null hypotheses were stated for this study. The study used a descriptive survey research design and the population consists of one thousand and twenty respondents (1020) from the three villages in Numan district, Numan LGA- Adamawa State, namely Pullum (351), Shafforon (424), and Zambun (245). The sample for the study was two hundred and fifty-five (255) respondents. This was systematically obtained using systematic sampling techniques of an interval of four families in each of the villages’ population, with Pullum (88) Shafforon (106), and Zambun (61). The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire developed by the researcher titled Climate Change Impact Questionnaire (CCIQ) with a reliability coefficient of 0.79. The instrument consisted of four sections. Frequency and percentages were used to answer research question 1, while mean scores was used for 2,3 and 4. T-test statistics was used to analyze the three null hypotheses. Results indicated that out of 255 (100) respondents, 221(87.00) agreed to have had information about climate change while 34(13.00) did not. Radio was seen to be the main source of information 93(42.10), followed by religious leaders 56(25.40). Respondents had good knowledge of the signs of climate change (4.72) but poor knowledge of causes of climate change (2.75). Respondents had good perceptions of climate change impact (4.29) and adaptation strategies (4.27). No significant difference in the responses of males and females on signs of climate change (p=0.94; p>0.05), causes of climate change (p=0.86; p>0.05), climate change impact on the livelihoods of rural families (p=0.91; p>0.05) and that of adaptation strategies (p=0.97; p>0.05). In conclusion, this study shows that the climate change issue has no gender bias and that rural families are more vulnerable to the adverse impact of climate change. Poor knowledge of respondents on the causes of climate change is an indication that more work needed to be done in ensuring that rural families are to be educated by Home Economists professionals and other environmental experts on the signs, causes, and climate change impact.