| dc.description.abstract | Every area on the planet inhabited by humans is already experiencing the effects of climate
change, with human activity responsible for many of the observed extreme climatic
condition and changes in weather. Africa, particularly Nigeria, is among the continent’s most
susceptible to the effects of climate change. It is especially susceptible to the consequences
of climate change because of its heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture, pervasive poverty,
and little capacity for adaptation. This study aimed to assess the perception of climate change
among university students in Kogi State, Nigeria. The methodology employed encompassed
a sampling design utilizing data collection instruments such as questionnaires, interviews,
and focus group discussions. The research examined the level of awareness of climate
change, climate risks and its impacts on student and their local environment. The study also
examined the accessible and available medium for knowledge about climate change in
selected universities. Furthermore, this is critical, particularly in terms of providing the
students with the knowledge they need to adapt to and lessen the effects of climate change.
It investigated the role of the selected universities in climate change education. The study
adopted a descriptive survey design to collect primary and secondary data. Results revealed
that there is generally high awareness of climate change among university students, with
over 95% of respondents from each university. The findings also reveal that 84.9% of the
respondents acknowledge climate change as a risk to their environment, while the other
respondents either do not know or are uncertain. Half of the respondents were neutral about
their university’s role in climate change education, 34.75% expressed that it was effective
and 15.1% expressed that it is ineffective. This explains that the university is not doing
enough in terms of climate change education. The results also show that climate change
education is not included in the curriculum of some of these universities. It is necessary to
take more steps to build their capacities for facing this future challenge and encouraging
engagement in combating the effects of climate change. It is also necessary that more courses
addressing the causes and impact of climate change be added to the curriculum and
universities should continually play an active role in climate change education. | en_US |
