Proceedings of the 2nd (Hybrid) International Conference, Faculty of Social Sciences, Niger Delta University, Held on March 13, 2024
March, 2024
Pages 308-328
DOI: 10.36108/wjss/ConfP.2024.018
EMERGING TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF BAYELSA STATE
Winifred Idubamo Gagariga, Prince Beteh Barisuka and Ambily Etekpe
Abstract
The concept of development has moved from production-center to people-center to improve the present standard of living without jeopardizing the opportunities for future generations. The essence is to reduce environmental degradation and its associated problems, and is a radical departure from the initial emphasis on gross national product (GNP) or gross domestic product (GDP) that had very little direct relationship with the people. The present trend of development fetters indiscriminate lumbering, uncontrolled dredging, land reclamation, and illegal mining, etc, with its negative consequences have weakened the environment from sustaining future generation. The consequences are climate change, leading to depletion of ozone layers, etc. This study therefore, aimed at investigating the emerging negative trend of environmental degradation on sustainable development (SD) in Bayelsa State between 2018 – 2023. The rationale is for promoting of environmentally friendly forms of development in line with sustainable development goals (SDGs). The study adopted relational theoretical framework, and applied survey method of data collection. The sampled population was basically, timber dealers, lumbers, community government and government officials. It found that the emerging trend shall increase the rate of depletion of economic resources in the state that shall lead to unprecedented conflict in the future; and recommended that the state government should strengthen its institutions and regulating agencies to enforce relevant existing laws.
Keywords: Climate change, environment, regulating agencies, sustainable standard of living and sustainable development.