AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Climate change is an urgent ecological and hydrological worry which disturbs the natural balance of environment, and it became the issue of much research and debate in recent decades. Climate change causes changes in temperatures, cloud cover, rainfall distribution, wind speeds, and storms: those all would disturb upcoming waste management processes (Christian, 2019). However, it is widely believed to be the primary cause of various recent environmental issues worldwide. These include significant flooding in certain regions of Asia and America, droughts in parts of Africa, and the global food crises that have led to civil unrest in many areas. While the present global economic recession has been attributed to unethical economic activities (Obama, 2018), a careful examination may indicate that climate change also plays a role.

However, Holdern (2022) asserts that climate change is the paramount and perilous, and undeniably the most intricate worldwide environmental concern thus far. In addition to posing a direct risk to human life and the environment, climate change significantly hinders the progress of sustainable development. The most formidable obstacle confronting humanity is not the act of exploiting nature, but rather the task of preserving this delicate equilibrium while engaging in such activities. The extensive use of the earth's crust has granted humanity with abundant natural resources, which are continually converted into goods that are subsequently disposed of as garbage once their intended use is fulfilled. Regrettably, it is not possible for humans to revert these waste products back to their original form under the earth's crust. Therefore, the most convenient method of disposal is to release these substances into the atmosphere in a gaseous state. The long-term accumulation of these chemicals in the atmosphere has disrupted a crucial balance of nature. Solid waste as any form of solid material which is no longer of use to its producer, owner or user and is hence discarded.It is also regarded as left-over arising from human, animal, or plant activities that are normally discarded as useless and not having any consumer value to the person abandoning them (Aliyu, 2019; Basu, 2020). Danesh  and Abubokor (2018) defined wastes as any product or material which is useless to the producer. These useless, unwanted or discarded materials results from the consumption or production lifestyles of commercial, agricultural, communal and industrial activities. Solid waste also known as municipal solid waste however is defined as waste collected by the municipality or disposed of at the municipal site and includes residential, industrial, institutional, commercial, municipal, and construction and demolition waste (Gabriel, 2019: Hannah, Max & Rosado, 2020). Josiah & Akuro (2018) pointed out that, wastes are materials that people would want to dispose of even when payments are required for their disposal. Solid waste, however, does not imply that such material cannot be of use after being discarded by its user therefore, Solid waste may also include materials that may have the potential to be reused, recycled, and composted. Generally, a society based on how developed it is, can be a consumer society or a producer society even though every society is a combination of both (Iyeneomie, Valentine & Igbani, 2018). Consumption and production activities lead to the generation of by-products and in some cases end products that can be termed waste (Oyedele, 2019). This waste can be gaseous, liquid or solid in nature. Naturally, it is observed that the volume of generated waste in a society is proportional to the level of development of such a society (Pervez & Kafeel,  2019). One good example of a lifestyle that promotes increase in the generation of waste is urban areas where the daily activities of people involve buying of things that are in disposable bags and other such items which require discarding of its containers after consumption (Rushbrook & Pugh,2019). Waste generation cuts across every sector of the society from the food sector to the production companies and also to manufacturing companies etc. All of such activities are more prevalent in urban areas as compared to rural areas and with the continuous influx of people from rural to urban areas, the reality of a more mounting increase in solid waste generation dawns (TombariBodo, 2019). Furthermore, the proliferation of solid urban waste in Africa and Cameroon to be specific is of grave concern, as in the last two decades, management of solid urban waste has been on the front burner. Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to investigate the effect of climate change on solid waste management systems in Cameroon.

Statement of the Problem

The management of solid waste in Cameroon has become more difficult due to the combined impacts of rapid urbanisation, population increase, and inadequate infrastructure. Cameroon, being a growing nation, encounters several challenges in effectively handling its waste, especially in urban regions where the amount of waste produced frequently surpasses the capabilities of current management systems. Climate change, which is marked by escalating temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and a surge in the occurrence and severity of extreme weather events, has substantial ramifications for waste management techniques. However, t he effects of climate change on solid waste management (SWM) in Cameroon are diverse and complex. For example, a higher amount of rainfall can cause landfill sites to become flooded, which not only obstructs garbage disposal but also adds to the pollution of water sources with leachates and other dangerous compounds. The presence of this contamination presents significant threats to human health and hinders endeavours to achieve environmental sustainability (Ngoran & Xue, 2020).

In addition, the frequency of extreme weather events such as floods and landslides is increasing in locations like Douala and Yaoundé. These disasters cause disruptions to waste collection and transportation services. The damage to roads and infrastructure caused by these catastrophes obstructs the movement of garbage collection vehicles, resulting in the buildup of waste in metropolitan areas. The accumulation of garbage worsens the issue of urban pollution, leading to an increase in the spread of diseases transmitted by vectors, such as malaria and cholera (Ayonghe et al., 2019). This scenario emphasises the necessity for waste management solutions that are resilient and adaptable to withstand the impacts of climate change.

Climate change not only directly affects solid waste management (SWM) through physical impacts, but also indirectly influences waste generation patterns. Fluctuations in weather patterns can cause variations in agricultural production, leading to changes in the amount and composition of organic waste. Consequently, this has an impact on the approaches and techniques used for composting and recycling. Likewise, the more frequent occurrence of heat waves might expedite the breakdown of organic waste, resulting in the release of greenhouse gases like methane, which is a powerful contributor to global warming (Njie, 2021). These emissions additionally contribute to the cycle of climate change, forming a feedback loop that amplifies the difficulties encountered by SWM systems.

Additionally, SWM infrastructure in Cameroon is already experiencing pressure, as numerous metropolitan areas lack sufficient facilities for waste segregation, recycling, and disposal. The increased pressure resulting from climate change requires a thorough examination and revision of current solid waste management (SWM) policies and practices. This entails not only extending the durability of physical infrastructure but also strengthening the ability of local authorities to address climate-induced disturbances. Moreover, it is essential to enhance public knowledge and involvement in trash reduction and management methods. This is because modifying behaviour at the local level is crucial for the effectiveness of any solid waste management (SWM) project (Dze-Ngwa & Ngoran, 2021). Hence, the study seeks to investigate the effect of climate change on solid waste management systems in Cameroon.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of climate change on solid waste management systems in Cameroon. Specifically, the study will;

 Determine the underlying causes of climate change in Cameroon.

Determine the extent to which climate change influenced the volume and composition of waste generated in Cameroon.

Determine the extent to which climate change has exacerbated public health risks related to improper waste management in Cameroon.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What are the underlying causes of climate change in Cameroon?

To what extent has climate change influenced the volume and composition of waste generated in Cameroon?

How has climate change exacerbated public health risks related to improper waste management in Cameroon?

1.5  Research Hypotheses

H0: Climate change does not have a significant effect on solid waste management systems in Cameroon.

Ha: Climate change have a significant effect on solid waste management systems in Cameroon.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will help the government to adapt existing waste management strategies to cope with the challenges posed by changing climate conditions. Additionally, agencies and bodies responsible for waste management will benefit from insights on how climate change impacts their operations. As the study will provide them with data to improve waste management infrastructure, ensuring it can withstand climate-related challenges like increased rainfall, flooding, or temperature fluctuations.Nevertheless, the study aims to expand the existing body of knowledge on environmental studies, specifically focussing on topics such as global climate change, pollution management, gas flaring, and other related environmental challenges.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on the effect of climate change on solid waste management systems in Cameroon. Empirically, the study will determine the underlying causes of climate change, the extent to which climate change influenced the volume and composition of waste generated and the extent to which climate change has exacerbated public health risks related to improper waste management.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to Cameroon.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Waste: Unwanted or discarded materials that are the byproducts of human activity, including household trash, industrial residues, agricultural byproducts, and hazardous substances.

Solid Waste Management Practices: methods and processes involved in the collection, transportation, processing, recycling, or disposal of solid waste.

Climate change: Long-term alterations in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other aspects of the Earth's climate system, primarily caused by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.

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