POST 2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA IN THE NIGER DELTA

THE FIRST MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL (MDG 1) AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Abstract

This paper drew attention to the need for the integration of climate change issues in poverty reduction strategy in Nigeria. It focused on the Niger Delta for two reasons. First is the fact that the region occupies more than half of Nigeria’s coastline. The second point is that about 70 percent of the population whose occupations depend directly on the weather live along the coastline. Designed as a desk study, the paper reviewed and analyzed climate change effects in the Niger Delta and noted the negative impacts on farming and fishing, the major occupations in rural Niger Delta. The point was made that in order to checkmate the rising incidence of poverty, poverty reduction policy should address climate related threats to farming and fishing by making adaptation to climate change a fundamental policy.