Changes In Income Levels And Consumption Patterns: The Demographic Drivers Of Climate Change In Jalingo Metropolis Of Taraba State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Income levels and consumption patterns are said to be significant contributors to the rising temperatures worldwide, while climate change has been a critical global challenge. As the global population continues to grow and urbanize, the demand for energy, transportation, and goods rises which influence climate change. Two theories were adopted for the study which include; Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) Theory and Ecological Modernization Theory. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design which efficiently enabled the researchers to collect data from a sample within a short period of time and make broader conclusions on the entire study’s population. For the comprehensive exploration of the research issues related to the influence of changes in income levels and consumption patterns on climate change in Jalingo Metropolis, Taraba State; Taro Yamane’s formula was adopted to generate 400 sample size out of the 581,000 population of the study’s universe. Two-Way ANOVA was employed to test the hypothesis since it deals with two independent variables and a dependent variable analysis. The findings of the study were significant at the P-value of 0.007. This implied that changes in income levels and consumption patterns are significantly responsible for climate change in Jalingo Metropolis, Taraba State. Based on the findings, the study recommends that environmental regulations should be strictly enforced and offenders should be handsomely fined in respect to uncontrolled dumping of waste resulting from their behaviourial consumption patterns, public awareness campaign on the dire consequences on waste generation should be organized, including the effective implementation o.f recycling programmes. In addition, waste reduction practices that can limit greenhouse gas emissions related to waste disposal should also be advocated for.