Climate Change Perception and Livelihood Disruptions Among Coastal Communities of Southwestern Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1015-5608Keywords:
Climate Change, Vulnerability, LivelihoodAbstract
This study investigated the trend in fisher folk’s perceptions of climatic variability relative to observed climate variation. Data on actual climatic variation over 30 years (1994-2024) was reviewed and compared with the fishers’ sensitivity to climate change. The study examined 400 fisher folk in coastal communities in Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo states. The mean age of the respondents is 49.4 years, and their mean fishing experience is 24.7 years. The mean fishing income is 215,012 Naira. 66 percent of respondents across the study areas were educated up to the secondary school level. The respondents reported a high perception of climate change and there was an alignment between the respondents’ perceptions of climate change and actual climate variations. The study reported a perceived decline in average fish catch, incessant changes in fishing areas, disrupted fishing operations, limited market access, and damage to fishing gear as direct impacts of climate change. In Lagos State, respondents reported the highest sensitivity to ocean surges, shoreline erosion, and windstorms; in Ondo State, to prolonged rainfall and ocean surges; and in Ogun State, to windstorms and rising surface air temperature. Overall, the findings show that the fisher folk accurately perceived critical climate change patterns. Socioeconomic variables, including age, education, fishing experience, fishing income, and social capital positively influenced fishers’ perceptions of climate change patterns in the study areas.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Olakunle Fakayode, Adekemi A. Obisesan, Anthony O. Thompson
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