Climate Change And Environmental Management: The Green Architecture Approach For Nigerian Households

Abstract

In the past two decades, there has been a global action plan to deal with the issues arising from climate change as a result of the devastating effect it has on human beings and the ecosystem. Global warming, high energy use in buildings, inadequate power supply, shortage of portable water, depletion of forest reserves, drought, flooding and environmental pollution are a great challenge to developing countries especially Nigeria. This study seeks to examine the concept of climate change in the context of the role of green architecture in environmental management of the Nigerian households. The methodology adopted was descriptive survey and the instrument for data collection was a structured survey questionnaire. The sample population was the owner occupiers within the Gwagwalada Satellite town of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. A total sample size of one hundred and fifty participants (150) was drawn from three sub-urban layouts namely phases 1, 2 and 3 within Gwagwalada using stratified random sampling method. The findings reveal that a great majority of the respondents have no idea about green architecture/buildings, hence, do not implement environmental management principles. This implies that most households will continue to experience severe energy and water challenges as well as environmental degradation in the face of the current global climate change crisis. The study recommends a list of drastic measures which includes the launching of a green building revolution by the Federal Government of Nigeria with all stake holders on board. This will reawaken the consciousness and make more appealing the green Architecture/building concept to majority of Nigerian households thereby enhancing environmental management and ultimately national development.