Research Article
Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Selected Earth Processes in Osun State, Nigeria: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
130-153
Received:
24 May 2026
Accepted:
3 June 2026
Published:
11 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijema.20261404.11
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Abstract: Climate change poses significant threats to the environment, human health, and socioeconomic development. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, flooding, and soil degradation have far-reaching consequences for overall livelihoods. Effective mitigation and adaptation strategies are essential to prioritize environmental sustainability and socioeconomic development. This study assessed the effects of climate change on selected earth processes (precipitation, temperature, wind speed, relative humidity) that affect atmospheric and land surface conditions in Osun State, Nigeria, with a view to developing targeted mitigation strategies. The objectives include examining trends in carbon stock and land use, analyzing the dynamics of land use and land cover changes, identifying areas of vulnerability, and developing a framework for integrating mitigation and adaptation strategies. The study used datasets from MERRA-2, the United Nations World Conservation Monitoring Centre, and Landsat imagery to assess the impacts of climate change on processes that affect atmospheric and land conditions. Results show a gradual warming trend, with mean monthly temperatures fluctuating between 24.4°C and 25.34°C, and increasing climate variability. The study also found significant declines in vegetation cover, from 77.5% in 2003 to 56.16% in 2023, correlating with increased cropland area and urbanization. The loss of vegetation has direct implications for carbon stock, with biomass reduction diminishing the landscape's ability to store carbon. The analysis also revealed substantial changes in land use patterns, including a significant reduction in vegetation due to urban sprawl and agricultural expansion. The study identifies areas experiencing the greatest loss in vegetation and carbon stock as most vulnerable to climate change impacts. A framework for mitigation and adaptation is proposed, including integrated strategies for sustainability. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and communities to develop and implement sustainable practices that balance development with environmental sustainability.
Abstract: Climate change poses significant threats to the environment, human health, and socioeconomic development. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, flooding, and soil degradation have far-reaching consequences for overall livelihoods. Effective mitigation and adaptation strategies are essential to prioritize environmental sustainability and s...
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Seyi Festus Olatoyinbo
