Climate Change Policy and Environmental Degradation in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Climate change policy is one of the critical areas that the various stakeholders should focus their attention and concentrate more of their energy, because it is one of the important aspects of climate change that have been ignored. Descriptive Research Design was adopted for the study and questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Data from both primary and secondary sources were utilized. 120 respondents were randomly selected using Purposive Random Sampling Technique. With the aid of SPSS, two hypotheses were formulated and tested using descriptive statistical tools. The data analysis revealed that climate change policy has significant impact on environmental degradation and also that in Calabar Metropolis, there have been no adequate policy frameworks in place to mitigate climate change effects and vulnerability. It was concluded that adequate policy frameworks have not been put in place to checkmate climate change effects and vulnerability in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. The issue of climate change should not be left in the hands of government alone but the private sector should equally be given collaborative opportunity as partners, was the policy recommendation. This is because corruption in public office has become a norm and can affect the aggressive pursuit of climate change to a manageable end.