Nigeria ranked low among countries with major ‘climate change’ literacy as changes in weather patterns and environmental degradation continue to spread across the continent, according to a report by survey research network, Afrobarometer.

According to Afrobarometer, the survey was conducted across 28 African countries, showing that 58 per cent of the total population of those countries are aware about climate change — amounting to nearly six in 10 people saying they have heard about the phenomenon.

Among the 28 countries that were studied, Nigeria is among the lowest countries in climate change literacy with 73 per cent of its population saying they lack knowledge about the phenomenon, with only 27 per cent answering yes’ to knowing about climate change, revealing the inadequacy of government action on the issue. 

The report noted that Mauritius has the largest share of population that are aware of climate change, which stood at 83 per cent. Gabon is second in the ranking with 79 per cent, Malawi followed closely with 77 per cent while Cape Verde came fourth with 76 per cent.

Among citizens who are aware of climate change, eight in 10 (80 per cent) said climate change is making life in their countries worse, including half (49 per cent) who answered, “much worse.”

The report also showed that about two-thirds (65 per cent) believe that the main cause of climate change is human activity, while 20 per cent said the issue is caused by natural processes and 11 per cent think that both human activity and natural processes have caused climate change.

Meanwhile, at 82 per cent, a large portion of the population across the 28 countries endorsed investments in climate-resilient infrastructure in tackling climate change as 77 per cent said rich countries must be pressured to provide more climate aids to poor countries while 66 per cent believe more funding should be invested in wind and solar energy.