Promoting Anti-plastic Pollution Innovations for Climate Change Awareness and Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Gideon U. Nwafor *

Department of Mass Communication, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Chinenye E. Bartholomew

Department of Mass Communication, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Chiamaka C. Ochuba

Department of Mass Communication, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Sandra E. Aghaebe

Department of Mass Communication, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Plastic pollution has become a significant environmental, social, and economic issue in Nigeria. Despite the various initiatives and policies put in place, plastic waste management remains a significant challenge in the country. Anti-plastic pollution innovations hold great potential for promoting sustainable development and economic growth in Nigeria. This research aims to examine the extent to which anti-plastic pollution innovations have been adopted, and their diffusion has affected economic growth and sustainable development in Nigeria through climate change communication. Anchored on the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, this research utilized a systematic review of the literature on plastic pollution and sustainable development in Nigeria. The study reveals that despite the various initiatives and policies put in place to manage plastic waste, Nigeria still faces significant environmental, economic, and social challenges. The diffusion of anti-plastic pollution innovations can promote sustainable development by reducing the negative impact of plastic waste on the environment and supporting economic growth. The study finds that the adoption and diffusion of anti-plastic pollution innovations in Nigeria have been slow due to low awareness, limited resources, and inadequate policies and regulatory frameworks. The study concludes that there is a need for increased awareness, collaboration between stakeholders, and policy support to further promote the diffusion of anti-plastic pollution innovations in Nigeria and suggested innovative ways through which climate change communication can be used to aid the diffusion of anti-plastic pollution innovations.

Keywords: Diffusion, anti-plastic pollution innovations, climate change communication, sustainable development


How to Cite

Nwafor, Gideon U., Chinenye E. Bartholomew, Chiamaka C. Ochuba, and Sandra E. Aghaebe. 2024. “Promoting Anti-Plastic Pollution Innovations for Climate Change Awareness and Sustainable Development in Nigeria”. Asian Journal of Geographical Research 7 (4):32-44. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajgr/2024/v7i4248.