KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA

Abstract

This study was embarked upon to find out the level of knowledge of climate change possessed by undergraduates of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Five specific objectives with five corresponding research questions, and one null hypothesis guided the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population for the study consisted of 21,907 regular undergraduates of UNN. The sample was 960 undergraduates selected through multi-stage sampling technique. Researcher-designed valid and
reliable questionnaire was used for data collection. Percentages were used to answer the research questions, while chi-square (X2) statistic was used to test the null hypothesis at .05 level of significance. Results of the study am()n~ others indicate that undergraduates of UNN possessed high level of knowledge regarding concepts (60.4%) of climate change; average level of knowledge regarding causes (53%), effects (59%). and mitigatio~ strategies (59.8%)for CC; male (63.5%) andfemale (60%) undergraduates of UNN had high and average level of knowledge of CC in all dimensions of CC studied respectively. but nudes had slightly higher knowledg of CC than females. Gender had no significant influence on knowledge of climate change possessed by undergratluates. Based on the findings. recommendations were. made among which is that students' level of knowledge ofclimate change should be increased. This, could be achieved by the active involvement and participationof relevant stakeholders such as the government, research institutions, and NGOs in teaching students the concepts and activities that help alleviate climate change.