. Emeka E. Osuji, Bernadine N. Aririguzo, Fidelis O. Nwosu, Maryann N. Osuji, Uzoma C. Anochie, Idoko Ojochenemi, Esther U. Nwachukwu, Ogonna O. Osuafor, Ifeanyi A. Maduike, Rosemond A. Alagba, Cnythia O. Obi-Nwandikom, Onimisi H. Abu, Hassan Achimugu,
Abstract
Changes in climate and non-climate factors have been observed to impose significant environmental and economic costs, leading to widespread degradation of ecosystems and deterioration of environmental quality. Hence, the research survey examined synthesis of climate and non-climate variables on the environment and ecosystems in Nigeria. The study explored time-series data covering for 30 years (1993–2023), found from Global footprint Network, Food, Agriculture and Organization, Worldometer and Statista. Climate change variables considered include, temperature, rainfall, while the non-climate variables include population growth and energy consumption. Data obtained were analyzed using autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. The result shows that temperature, rainfall, population growth and energy consumption all exerts a devastating negative influence on the environment and ecosystems. These negative exertions degrade the environment and cause ecosystem imbalances. The result reveals that about 85% of the disturbances in environment and ecosystems normalized following a rapid disruption in climate and non-climate variables. Results further showed absence of multicollinearity, homoscedasticity, heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation between the considered variables. The study recommends effective legislation and policy engagements regarding climate change mitigation, financing and trade-offs. Also, policy pitched towards population growth control and use of renewable energies in place of fossil fuels should be enforced and championed. These will restore the ecosystem saneness and environmental balances.
Keywords: Temperature, Rainfall, Population Growth, Energy Consumption, Ecosystems.
