Perception of Ecological Degradation and Climate Change in Selected Nigerian Literature

Abstract

Superficially, literature and the natural science seem to be diametrically disparate fields, but this study pays attention to how literary writers express serious concern about environmental degradation in their works. It examines various ways ecological degradation and climate change can be curtailed from interdisciplinary perspective using ecocritical literary theory predicated on analytic research methodology. Ecocritical study examines the interface of literature and the ecosystem and/or the relationship between literature and the natural environment. The findings revealed that the effects of climate change can be more devastating and perplexing than HIV/AIDS, if pragmatic steps are not urgently taken to curb its causes and address the menace. There would be colossal loss of lives to hunger more than any known dreaded disease. Communities would be washed away by flood. Pestilence would be rampant. Food shortage would be adversely felt and human life span would be shortened. The conclusion arrived at is that reading literary works will help in the on-going global summits on climate change. Nigerians do not take care of their environment. Many a Nigerian City is filthy. Waste is disposed carelessly. Drainages are not constructed and the few ones available are not cleaned up. The study recommends that government at all levels should embark on serious sensitisation of the citizenry on the need to protect the ecosystem and clean the environment of mess.