URBANIZATION AND THE CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN BENIN METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

This study assesses urban activity as it affects climate change in Benin metropolis. The study area is divided into three locations (core, intermediate and the periphery). Climatic data on rainfall and temperature were extracted in these locations. Core (paved surface near king’s square in Latitude 6.336N and Longitude 5.623E) Intermediate (open field near film house, opposite Ekosodin road in Latitude 6.405N and Longitude 5.59E) and the Periphery (bush fallow sapele road near Benin Bye-pass in Latitude 6.218N and Longitude 5.652E). The data extracted shows that minimum and maximum temperature in the three locations shows positive trend. While rainfall in the three locations shows negative trend using Microsoft Excel. However, using ANOVA statistical analysis to test the variation, both temperature and rainfall in the three locations showed no climatic significant spatial, this is because all the p-values in the significant column are greater than 0.05. Temporal variation of rainfall in the three locations also showed no significant temporal. However, minimum and maximum temperature in the three locations showed significant temporal, this is because all the p-values in the significant column are less than 0.05. Therefore, climate change has taken place Thermal satellite imagery from Landsat was super-imposed on land surface temperature (LST) and land cover (LC) map to examine the relationship between urban activities and climate change. In the land cover map of Benin metropolis, vegetation covers 55.8%, built-up areas 33.6%. While in the land surface temperature of Benin metropolis, it is observed that the highest value of land surface concentrated along the development corridor from the core to the periphery. Also a well-structured questionnaire was used to examine awareness, health effect and socio-economic effects of climate change. The questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS version 21. The result from this research shows that climate change affect the health, infrastructure and socio-economic activities negatively. Therefore, avoid burning of fuels and emissions from industries, cars and generators, and switching to low carbon energy sources like hydro-electrical power, solar, wind and if possible construction of electrical cars rather than fuel. Also, afforestation should be encouraged and residences in Benin metropolis should acquaint themselves to well-ventilated environments were recommended as measures in adapting effectively to climate change impacts.