Foreword to Vol. 3, Nos 1 & 2, July – December 2006
In the last two decades, the issue of global warming and climatic change have become topical issues worldwide. Since the 1970’s the average temperature of the earth has been rising steadily. There is abundant scientific evidence that global average temperatures are now about 0.3-0.6OC warmer than they were a century ago. Observations made at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria recently in a location at 7O28’N, 4O33’E and 244 metres above sea level by two scientists, Fakorede and Akinyemiju (2003) have revealed that mean annual maximum temperature increased from 1975-1992 at the rate of 0.09OC per year.
This year, climatic data such as air temperature (OC), rainfall (mm), relative humidity, for the period of 1976-1996, at the Teaching and Research Farm of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria were collated and analysed by me, as part of my first degree project, using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The objective of the study was to obtain further evidence for climatic change over the years.
The results have shown an increasing trend in air temperature and revealed that the highest mean temperature were recorded in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996; the values being 31.91OC, 32.27OC, 32.29OC and 32.26OC respectively. The least values were recorded in 1977 and 1991; the values being 28.28OC and 28.19OC respectively. There was a 0.13OC increase in temperature per year between the periods of 1976-1996, which is slightly higher than the value recorded by Fakorede and Akinyemiju up till 1992 in the same location. About two decades ago, a survey of mean monthly temperature in the same location revealed a range of 22.5OC to 31.4OC (Duncan, 1974). This small project has therefore revealed that Global warming is evident on Obafemi Awolowo University campus.
Knowing fully well that the extra heat, due to global warming, is not evenly distributed in the globe, and also that the distribution of this extra heat is not determined by the degree of contribution of a zone to the heat, it becomes imperative that there should be a concerted global effort to combat global warming and ameliorate its effects on ecosystems.
ANNUAL MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE IN OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE, NIGERIA (1976-1996)
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References
Adeosun (unpublished) Changes in Some Environmental factors on Obafemi Awolowo University campus since 1976. Is global warming evident?
Duncan, E.R. (1974). Weather information from the University of Ife. Faculty of Agriculture Research Bulletin No 2. University of Ife press, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Fakorede, M.A.B. and Akinyemiju, O.A. (2003). Climate Change: Effects on Maize Production in a Tropical Rainforest Location. Pp 272-282 In Badu-Apraku, B. et al (eds), Maize Revolution in West and Central Africa. Proceedings of a Regional Maize Workshop, IITA-Cotonou, Benin-Republic, 14-18 May 2001. WECAMAN/IITA. Delar Tertiary Publishers, Ibadan.
Adeosun, Adejoke Olutoyin
Final year student, Zoology Department
Obafemi Awolowo University
Ile-Ife, NIGERIA