Assessing Climate Change Effects on Plastic Product Use by Agro-marketers and Horticultural Enterprises in Calabar Agricultural Zone
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study assessed the impact of climate change on the use of plastic products among agro-marketers and horticultural enterprises in the Calabar Agricultural Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 200 respondents using a structured questionnaire, with a multistage sampling technique employed for selection. Findings indicate that climate change has influenced the socio-economic characteristics of respondents by increasing labor requirements (mean = 2.7), enhancing membership in professional and cooperative organizations (mean = 2.53), and improving awareness of plastic and climate change issues (mean = 2.47). At the enterprise level, climate change affected operations through increased payment of carbon emission taxes (mean = 2.94), higher costs of packaged goods due to restrictive plastic policies (mean = 2.92), and elevated release of harmful chemicals from plastic waste under higher temperatures (mean = 2.75). The study recommends enhancing climate change awareness among agro-marketers and horticulturists to mitigate adverse impacts on plastic-packaged products. Additionally, government agencies should monitor plastic production to minimize or eliminate hazardous chemicals that are susceptible to climate-induced degradation, thereby preserving product quality.
Authors: Okonemeka, Chimaobi Grace, Etim, Gabriel Sunday
Institution: University of Calabar
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7081917342
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