Social Impact and Public Perception of Climate Change

Abstract

This study investigated the social impacts and public perception of climate change, particularly among university students, which is crucial for developing effective adaptation strategies and disseminating accurate information about the consequences of climate change on sustainable health conditions. The research employed a descriptive survey design. The target population consisted of 1212 undergraduate students in Science and Technology Education at Bayero University, Kano-Nigeria. A random sample of 120 students was selected for data collection. The primary data collection tool used was a questionnaire titled "Social Impact and Public Perception of Climate Change Questionnaire." The collected data were analyzed using frequency counts and simple percentages. The findings highlighted that a significant majority of the respondents, 68 individuals (58.6%), strongly agreed that the social impact of climate change manifests as extreme weather conditions, which severely impede agricultural production, resulting in decreased quality and quantity of crops. Based on the study's results, it is recommended that governments, individuals, and the scientific community allocate more resources and funding to address the adverse effects of climate change.