ABSTRACT
Climate change has the potential of degrading the environment both the biotic and abiotic component beyond man’s expectation. This is because climate change is on a fast move with its effect already eating deep into the environment while adaptation measures essential for curbing the impact of climate change crawls like a snail. That is, there is no drastic or far-reaching adaptation measures despite the serve burnt of climate change. This study seeks to address climate change adaptation measures in agricultural, water resources, health, and infrastructural sectors of inhabitants in Enugu. 210 copies of a questionnaire were administered, of which, 178 were returned in seven districts (GRA, Ogui, Ogbete, Coal Camp, Trans-Ekulu, Emene and Achara) of Enugu. Climatic data (rainfall and temperature) from 1952- 2012 was sourced from Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Oshodi, Lagos State and analyzed using graphs such as line, pie, bar, percentage and time series. The result reveal that climate change is visible in Enugu that is, the annual rainfall between the periods of 1952-1982 (1780mm) is higher than the periods of 1983-2012 (1757mm). The difference in increase is 23mm. The mean annual temperature of the two climatic periods showed a difference of 0.48oC indicating increase in the latter period (1983-2012). These changes are significant to account for changes in the atmospheric system (weather and climate). The study also, shows that climate change have numerous causes including nature and man’s inadvertent actions such as deforestation, bush burning, emission of greenhouse gases amongst others. It also discloses measures to reduce the causes of climate change such as afforestation, government policies amongst others and the impact of climate change on human and environment to include the following; pest and disease outbreak, hunger, death, high cost of living, erosion, flood, acid rain, bad roads amongst others. Furthermore, the study indicated the adaptation measures practiced by the inhabitants as well as the rate of practice, utility, efficiency and effectiveness of such measures; and shows that there are no considerable barriers and limitations to climate change adaptation measures in the study area. This study therefore, recommends rigorous strategies such as use of solar power and wind energy in curbing the effects of climate change as they are no reasonable constraints inhibiting Enugu from using it.
