CLIMATE CHANGE AND LIVELIHOOD: THE TWO SIDES OF A COIN

Abstract

The economic, social, cultural and physical environment of man is interrelated with climate
change. This can be justified by several cities and people, particularly in developing
countries facing alarming threats of climate change. Scholars affirmed that low or poor
capacity to mitigate climate change in most developing cities would in long term swamp the
natural and human capacity systems required to adapt to prevailing impacts of climate
change. The impacts of climatic change on socio-economic activities have being a disturbing
developmental issue for governments in developed and developing world. In Most countries
climate change is a notable environmental factor that shape and re-shape sources of
livelihoods. It has over time forced vast number of people into shackle of poverty through
destruction of their means of livelihoods. This in recent time manifested in the lost of
properties, lives, and destruction of infrastructural facilities. This paper unveiled the nexus
between global climate change and livelihoods. It explored the concepts of livelihood and
vulnerability in relation to climate change and its consequent impacts on livelihoods. The
paper also examines the roles of governance towards adapting and mitigating the effects of
climate change. It emphasized the need for improved infrastructural facilities, environmental
education/ enhanced climate change awareness programme, improved and monitor physical
planning activities, good/effective governance and establishment of climate change insurance
scheme.