Assessing the Socio-Economic Impact of Climate Change and Poverty in Birnin Kudu Local Government, Jigawa State, Nigeria.

Abstract:

This study investigates the intertwined socio-economic impacts of climate change and entrenched poverty in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research examines how climate change exacerbates existing poverty vulnerabilities, leading to decreased crop yields, reduced water availability, increased health risks, and heightened economic insecurity. The research found that climate change disproportionately affects the poorest households with limited adaptive capacity. Farmers and livestock owners face severe challenges due to unpredictable rainfall, increased temperatures, pest infestations, and declining land productivity, directly impacting income and food security. Water scarcity intensifies existing resource conflicts and further marginalises impoverished communities. The study also reveals a rise in heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases, and malnutrition, which compound the health burdens already faced by impoverished populations. These findings underscore the urgent need for climate change adaptation strategies that explicitly address poverty, including targeted social protection programs, improved access to resources and technology for vulnerable households, and strengthened public health systems.