THE PERCEPTION OF TIMBER SAWYERS AND CHARCOAL MAKERS ON THE EFFECTS OF DEFORESTATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Abstract

Climate change and its devastating effects to human existence and environmental biodiversity have for some time now been a major challenge all-round the globe. The study focuses on the perception of timber Sawyers and charcoal makers in north Central Zone of Nigeria, on the factors responsible for deforestation and their effects on climate change. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study while three research questions were posed to guide the study. A 37-item structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experts and had a reliability coefficient of 0.89 using Cronbach Alpha. The research questions were answered using the mean and standard deviation. The results revealed that logging for timber production, production of charcoal and firewood for cooking, bush burning and bush clearing for farming activities are the greatest factors for deforestation. Air pollution, excessive gully erosion, desertification, excessive floods, depletion of the ozone layer and global warming were found to be the effects of deforestation activities. Timber sawyers and charcoal makers agreed that advocacy on the dangers of deforestation activities on climate change, the use of alternative safe sources of clean energy, afforestation and climate adaptation programmes are some solutions for deforestation and climate change. The study recommended that reforestation programme be revitalized, households be encouraged to switch to renewable source of energy for their cooking, trees should be planted in both residential and industrial areas to absorb polluted gases, NYSC participants to plant one tree each as part of their graduation activities and stiffer penalties for bush burning and illegal logging activities.