The Dynamics of Climate Change and Global Warming: Imperatives for Food Security in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the imperatives for food security in the dynamics of climate change and global warming at the local Nigerian scale. Results revealed that exposure and sensitivity to climate risks vary across the country over the years. Analyses of sensitivity to inter-annual and intra-annual climate variability using bivariate correlation and multiple regression methods suggests impending drought in the northern region where livestock farming is predominant. An estimation of the relative contributions of each climate independent variable in determining the variability of crop yield using the backward selection procedures for the regression in the case of inter-annual variability was also conducted. Stepwise approach was adopted for the intra-annual study indexing the impacts of annual climate variability by a parameter computed as annual yield minus mean annual yield, divided by the standard deviation. The results produced a Z-distribution array with values varying from approximately -5 to approximately +5. Values < –3 or > 3 indicate impacts that are significant at 95 percent confidence levels. This study, therefore, established the interwoven relationship between climatic change, global warming and food security; and concludes that storage and preservation techniques or methods be developed as a strategic effort towards food security in Nigeria.