Common-Pool Resources and Climate Change Adaptation in Nigeria: Bridging Local Actions and Global Goals

Abstract

Despite the escalating challenges arising from climate change, the imperative of sustainably managing common-pool resources assumes a central role in bolstering local resilience and advancing global climate objectives. Nigeria, renowned for its abundance of communal resources, serves as an illuminating case study where the intersection of "Common resources and Climate Change Adaptation" takes precedence. This paper meticulously explores the intricate interplay between communal resources and strategies for adapting to climate change, shedding light on the pivotal role of these shared assets in harmonizing grassroots initiatives with international climate aspirations. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach that draws insights from environmental science, political ecology, economics, sociology, and governance studies, this study scrutinizes the dynamics of resource management, local adaptation practices, and the influence of policy frameworks. Methodologically, a comprehensive array of sources, including government reports, publications from national and international organizations, scholarly articles, books, research papers, and archival materials, informs the investigation. The theoretical foundations of this study encompass the Adaptive Capacity Framework, Social-Ecological System (SES) Framework, and Environmental Governance Theory. The paper underscores that Nigerian communities reliant on common-pool resources face heightened vulnerability to climate change impacts, encompassing intensified droughts, flooding, and extreme temperature. These adverse consequences jeopardize the availability and quality of common-pool resources, thereby affecting community well-being. In conclusion, this paper contends that communities reliant on common-pool resources have demonstrated remarkable adaptability and resourcefulness in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. However, persistent critical obstacles including resource degradation, deficient governance structures, and limited access to information and resources, demand attention. This paper emphasizes the imperative of fostering community-based resource management institutions and enhancing community access to climate information and early warning systems as viable measures to confront the multifaceted challenges of climate change in Nigeria.

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Keywords

common pool resources, climate change, adaptation

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