Climate Change, Soil Fertility Management and the Nexus: A Knowledge and Opinions Study in Western Cameroon

Abstract

Aims: Climate change/variability and soil degradation are environmental concerns that are currently, and will certainly hamper the development of most developing countries. These menaces will be exacerbated if there is limited knowledge about them, especially with young adults, who constitute one of the most vulnerable categories of the human population. Motivated by the aforesaid, a survey was carried out to assess knowledge and opinions about these threats. Methodology: Paper questionnaires were administered randomly to 327 young adults in the West Region of Cameroon over a period of three months. Data collected was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics using Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS (version 19). Results: Our findings revealed that more than 93% of respondents affirm that climate change is presently occurring, while a majority of respondents (about 75%) have correct ideas on climate change and soil fertility notions. With regards to climate change, most of the respondents had good ideas on causes and impacts of climate change, and possible mitigation strategies to be used. As on soil fertility management, most young people had good knowledge on practices that reduce soil fertility, and practical methods of soil conservation. Additionally, about 87% of respondents expressed willingness to become environmental activists. Conclusion: Given that knowledge gaps were observed on some key environmental concepts, we recommend to environmentalists, educationists, teachers and policy makers in developing countries and sub-Saharan African countries in particular, that environmental science curricula be implemented or reinforced at all levels of formal education, and should be competency-based, so as to enhance skills and competences that will favour climate change preparedness and environmental conservation.