ANALYSIS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS AMONG STAFF OF JOSEPH SARWUAN TARKA UNIVERSITY, MAKURDI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/jaat.2025.1104.13Keywords:
Climate Change Awareness,, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University,, Staff Perception, Environmental Impacts, Climate Change Mitigation Staff Perception, Environmental Impacts, Climate Change Mitigation, Staff Perception,, Environmental Impacts,, Climate Change MitigationAbstract
This study assessed climate change awareness among staff at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), Nigeria, using a multistage sampling technique to collate responses from 104 staff across different university cores, Colleges, and Departments. Demographic results show that out of 104 respondents, 61.4% were male and 38.6% were female. The largest age group was 36 - 45 years (23.1%), followed by those aged 26 - 35 (19.2%), and 46 - 50 (21.2%). The majority were Christians (98.2%) and most were married (85.6%). Civil service was the predominant primary occupation (83.7%), while educational attainment was high, with 66.3% holding postgraduate degrees. Most respondents (80.8%) expressed awareness of climate change, though only a small fraction (9.6%) had received formal training on the subject. Awareness of climate change impacts varied, with 28.8% recognizing effects on health and 25.0% aware of broader environmental consequences, while many remained uncertain or unaware. Direct experiences with flood damage were reported by just 11.2% of staff. Multiple regression analysis showed that environmental and anthropogenic factors such as burning, deforestation, agricultural practices, and emissions from generators, industries, and vehicles significantly influenced climate change awareness among staff, explaining approximately 16% of the variance. Respondents perceived temperature changes (51.9%) and impacts on agriculture (33.7%) as the most significant local effects of climate change. While most staff viewed the university positively in promoting climate change awareness (96.7 % agreement), formal initiatives and personal mitigation actions varied; tree planting (41.3%) and reducing energy consumption (31.7%) were the most practiced activities. Suggestions to enhance awareness emphasized education, seminars, environmental campaigns, and sustainable campus policies. The findings highlight the importance of expanding climate education and institutional engagement to strengthen understanding and action on climate change within the university community.
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