Evaluating Community-Based Environmental Education as a Tool for Climate Change Mitigation in Riverine Communities

Riverine communities in Nigeria depend largely on aquatic resources and small-scale farming for their livelihoods, with fishing, hunting, gathering of aquatic species, and cultivation of tuber crops and vegetables forming the backbone of their subsistence economy. However, climate change has increasingly altered the environmental conditions that sustain these livelihood activities, resulting in declining fish stocks, degraded ecosystems, and reduced agricultural productivity. Consequently, many riverine households are experiencing food insecurity, loss of income, increased poverty, and heightened vulnerability to disease. This study explores how community-based environmental education can serve as an effective strategy for mitigating the impacts of climate change on the livelihoods of riverine communities. By strengthening local knowledge, promoting sustainable resource-use practices, and enhancing community participation in environmental management, environmental education can build adaptive capacity and improve resilience. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge with formal environmental education programmes to support sustainable livelihoods and climate-resilient riverine communities in Nigeria.