title: Climate change mitigation: the potential of agriculture as a renewable energy source in Nigeria.
abstract: Energy is pivotal to the economic development of every nation. However, its production and utilization leads to undesirable carbon emissions that aggravate global warming which results in climate change. The agriculture sector is a significant user of energy. However, it has the potential to be a major contributor to Nigeria's energy supply mix in meeting its energy deficit. More so, in the light of current and impending adverse effects of climate change, there is a need to contain GHG's emissions. This paper focuses on bioenergy utilization as a climate change mitigation strategy and one that can, through effective waste management, enhance sustainable economic development in Nigeria. The paper employed a critical discourse analysis to examine the potential of the agricultural sector to provide biofuels from energy crops and other biomass sources. We conclude that Nigeria can reduce its GHG emissions and greatly contribute to global climate change mitigation while also alleviating its energy supply deficit if the agricultural and municipal wastes readily available in its towns and cities are converted to bioenergy. Such engagements will not only promote a clean and healthy environment but also create jobs for economic empowerment and a better standard of living for the people.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, P/Bag X6, Florida, South Africa. zeldaforreal@yahoo.com.|Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. zeldaforreal@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Z A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Elum
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, P/Bag X6, Florida, South Africa.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Modise
authors.affiliation: Institute of Corporate Citizenship, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nhamo
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D056804:Biofuels; D018533:Biomass; D057231:Climate Change; D018556:Crops, Agricultural; D009549:Nigeria; D018505:Waste Management
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels
keywords: Agriculture; Bioenergy; Climate change; Mitigation; Nigeria; Renewable energy