This research examines the impact of climate change on societal conflict in Nigeria and Niger Republic. The objectives are to determine the impact of climate change on social conflict in Nigeria and Niger Republic; identify the progenitors and victims of climate change in Nigeria and Niger Republic; examine citizens’ perceptions on nationalist identities; and proffer solutions through mitigation and adaption strategies for mutual interdependence.
Two key areas of conflict necessitated this research. First, subnational agitations for environmental protection arising from environmental degradation, pollution, gas flaring, biodiversity depletion and destruction of the aquatic habitat which tends to undermine national unity. Second, farmers/herders clashes occasioned by deforestation and desertification of the Sahel region and the Lake Chad basin which undermine national security, peace and sustainable development in both countries. The anger of nature (astronomical) against humans (anthropogenic) on its endowments, and the reactive consequences of nature on how human beings and their agents have abused and destroyed the material/mineral resources freely provided by nature for man’s economic and social sustainability when not addressed drastically would negatively impact on subnational and interstate disharmony. The social conflict analytical approach, the Social Conflict Theory and the Anthropogenic Global Warming Theory are used to theoretically justify potentials of these social conflicts in redirecting the narratives of national unity and ethnic identity in both countries. This study uses descriptive research design and content analysis. The data employed for the study will be gathered from secondary sources. This work observed the devastating nature of social conflicts arising from climate change, especially in the Middle Belt in Nigeria, by headers/farmers crisis. It attributed it to lack of understanding, intolerance, accommodation and burden sharing. It enjoined citizens to stop religious and politicization of the crisis and give peace a chance for unity, solidarity and mutual co-existence in both countries.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION - CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of Problem
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Significance of the Study
2. CHAPTER TWO - LITERATURE REVIEW AND METHODOLOGY
2.1 Literature Review
2.1.1 Conceptual Literature Review
2.1.2 Theoretical Literature Review
2.2 Methodology
3. CHAPTER THREE - DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
3.1 Data Presentation
3.1.1 Impacts of Climate Change on Social Conflict in Nigeria and Niger Republic
3.1.2 Causes of Climate Change in Nigeria and Niger Republic
3.1.3 Climate Change Causalities (Victims) in Nigeria and Niger Republic
3.2 Discussion of Findings
4. CHAPTER FOUR - SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 Conclusion
4.2 Recommendations
Research Objectives and Key Focus Areas
This study aims to examine the nexus between climate change and social conflicts in Nigeria and the Niger Republic, specifically investigating how environmental degradation and resource scarcity contribute to societal instability and disharmony.
- The impact of climate change on social conflict and disharmony.
- Identification of anthropogenic and natural causes of climate change.
- Analysis of progenitors and victims of climate-induced conflicts.
- Evaluation of existing adaptation and mitigation strategies by stakeholders.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Background to the Study
Climate change is seen as a conflict trigger in Nigeria and Niger, two climate change prone countries within Lake Chad Basin. Environmental experts and policy makers have identified climate change as the greatest threat to human civilization and international peace and security. This is because it stimulates both domestic and global tensions thereby aggravating societal conflicts. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) identified Nigeria and Niger Republic among the seventeen most vulnerable countries in Africa to climate change variability, and as a high-risk trigger to social conflict.
Similarly, the Commission on Human Security (CHS, 2010) also identified three sources of threats to climate change in Nigeria and Niger Republic. The first threat is the exploration, exploitation, refining and utilization of fossil fuels and the attendant pollution in both urban and rural areas in both countries. The second is the over use of fossil fuels and other industrial and mechanical activities in the environment that resulted into soil erosion, desertification, environmental degradation, deforestation and biodiversity depletion in both countries. The third is the build-up of Green House Gas Emission (GHG) arising from gas flaring, emission of gaseous substance in petrochemical industries and burning of fossil fuels and other hazardous substances in both countries. These climate threats have also been identified as conflict triggers in Nigeria, Niger, Africa and across the globe by conflict experts and analysts (Annan, 2016; Ki-Moon, 2007; Saul, 2009).
Chapter Summaries
INTRODUCTION - CHAPTER ONE: This chapter provides the background and context for the study, establishing climate change as a major threat to security and outlining the research objectives and significance.
CHAPTER TWO - LITERATURE REVIEW AND METHODOLOGY: This section reviews existing literature on climate change and conflict while establishing the theoretical framework based on Anthropogenic Global Warming and Social Conflict Theory.
CHAPTER THREE - DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS: This chapter presents empirical data regarding climate-induced casualties and identifies the specific causes of environmental changes in Nigeria and Niger.
CHAPTER FOUR - SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This final chapter synthesizes the research findings, concludes on the relationship between environmental factors and conflict, and provides strategic recommendations for stakeholders.
Keywords
Climate Change, Social Conflict, Nigeria, Niger Republic, Lake Chad Basin, Anthropogenic Global Warming, Environmental Degradation, Desertification, Resource Scarcity, Sustainability, Migration, Mitigation, Adaptation, Conflict Analysis, Socio-economic Stability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The work focuses on the link between climate change and social conflict, examining how environmental stressors trigger or exacerbate tensions in Nigeria and the Niger Republic.
What are the central themes of the study?
Key themes include the impact of environmental degradation, resource competition, migration patterns, and the role of government and global stakeholders in climate mitigation.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine the impact of climate change on social disharmony and to suggest strategies for stakeholders to better manage adaptation and mitigation challenges.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The study adopts a descriptive design using secondary data, content analysis, and a theoretical approach grounded in Social Conflict Theory and Anthropogenic Global Warming.
What does the main body address?
It addresses the conceptual and theoretical foundations, presents empirical data on climate-induced casualties, and discusses findings concerning farmers/herders crises and militancy.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Climate change, social conflict, environmental degradation, Nigeria, Niger, resource scarcity, and adaptation strategies.
How does the study explain the farmers/herders crisis?
The study attributes the crisis to migration triggered by desertification and deforestation in the Sahel, which forces herdsmen into the Middle Belt in search of herbage, leading to conflict with local farmers.
What role does the Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW) theory play?
The AGW theory is used to explain how human activities, such as fossil fuel usage and deforestation, alter the climate, thereby acting as a root cause for the conflicts analyzed in the text.
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- Leo Ebenezer (Autor:in), 2021, Climate Change and Social Conflicts in Nigeria and Niger Republic. A Comparative Analysis, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1126324
