Gas Flaring: Impacts on Temperature, Agriculture and the People of Ebedei in Delta State Nigeria

Abstract

This study is about gas flaring and its impacts on temperature, agriculture and the people of Ebedei in Delta State, Nigeria. The study utilized empirical research design.The stratified sampling technique was used to stratify the area into six layers using distance from the flare site as a yardstick, thus the strata include 150m, 250m, 350m, 450m, 550m, 650m from the flare site. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used for the analysis of data. Findings include: majority of respondents (93.75%) suggest that the temperature in Ebedei was cooler than it is now as compared to the 6.25% that responded otherwise; the effects of gas flaring on the environment include acid rain (73.3%), air pollution (92.1%), temperature rise (84.6%), and deforestation (82.1%). The following crops are currently being affected by Gas flaring in Ebedei; yam 94.6%, cassava 90%, Okra 98.75%, plantain 50.4%, potatoes 5%. Places closer to the flare site were hotter than places further from the flare site (mean annual temperature at 150m from the site is 29.1 0C at 650m it is 28.10C). The ANOVA model was significant at P>0.000. This implied that the variation in temperature in terms of distance from the flare site within Ebedei area is significant.