Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Conservation from the Yoruba Cultural Perspective.

This study examines the public perception of climate change and its impacts within Yoruba communities across eight (8) states in southwestern Nigeria. An online survey, using snowball sampling, was administered to 800 respondents, assessing climate change awareness, environmental challenges, and the role of Yoruba cultural practices towards environmental sustainability. Key climate-related concerns identified by respondents included heat-related illnesses (19.6%), food and water scarcity (18.7%), and agricultural decline (17.9%). Results indicated strong support for the integration of Yoruba culture in environmental conservation, with 56.4% of participants affirming that practices such as taboos and sacred groves promote pro-environmental behavior. Additionally, 70.8% believed Yoruba agricultural practices contributed to sustainable land use. A majority (75.9%) recognized the role of greenhouse gas emissions in environmental degradation, while 82.3% acknowledged the negative effects of land use changes, such as deforestation. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that higher educational attainment was positively correlated with increased climate change awareness. The study also explored climate change’s influence on conflict, with 42.4% of respondents noting minimal impact on Fulani herdsmen clashes. The findings underscore the potential for integrating cultural practices into climate change mitigation efforts within Yoruba communities.