Need for awareness of global warming, climate change and efforts towards curbing the concern: implication for curriculum design in science, technology and engineering programme

Abstract

The paper discussed the problems, causes and meaning of global warming, greenhouse effect and climate change. Reasons for global concern, threats posed and effects of these environmental problems were outlined. Prominent among the human activities to be controlled is burning of fossil fuels for transportation, electricity generation, industrial use and other forms of innovations that were introduced since the period of the first industrial revolution in Britain. Effects such as drought, hurricane, sea level rise, melting of sea ice, habitats and wildlife disruption, challenging health conditions and other hazards were detailed out in the paper. Some efforts being made by International organizations such as United Nations under different umbrella names/bodies and nations’ government and agencies in climate and environmental matters were outlined. Nigeria, being a member nation of the global community is at risk of being effected by global warming and climate change problems. Efforts of agencies such as National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Department of Climate Change Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Environment and other governmental and non-governmental bodies towards curbing the problem of environmental degradation, global warming and climate change were highlighted. The paper concludes by discussing the implication of these changes in global warming, greenhouse effect and climate on curriculum design in science, technology and engineering programmes.