Madison Lay
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Omolade Adunbi
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Department of Afroamerican and African Studies / LSA
Program:
Authors:
Session: Session 1: 9:00 am – 9:50 am
Poster: 102
Abstract
The growing threat of climate change in global south countries such as Nigeria has left its citizens in an ethical dilemma. Should they pursue action to combat the seemingly far away consequences or is the immediate urgency of its consequences on human security such as trying to find food more important? Through the use of four popular social media platforms: TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, this study explores the reaction of Nigerian citizens to their country’s declining environment, analyzing the influence of social media in studying climate change in Nigeria. Through a close examination of posts, comments, and likes of social media, this project examines the ways in which Nigerians respond to rapid changes in their environment. Upon examining these interactions, it is evident that Nigerians either lack an understanding of their country’s environmental state or simply lack urgency to act on the issue. While social media platforms have become a very useful tool for engaging with a variety of issues, this study also raised the question of how reliable is social media in enhancing our understanding of the framework of climate change in third world countries? It is important to consider that the internet is not readily accessible in Nigeria as it is in the United States. Thus, those posting and interacting online only portray a small socioeconomic demographic of Nigerian citizens. Regardless, it is imperative that the Nigerian government and its citizens work together and act now to try and recuperate the seemingly hopeless environmental state of their country.
