Abstract:
Global warming is the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and
oceans. It was observed that the Earth's average surface temperature has
increased by about 0.8 °C, with about two thirds of the increase occurring since
1980. Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and scientists are more than
90% certain that most of it is caused by increasing concentrations of Greenhouse
gases produced by human activities. Honey is the most important primary product
of beekeeping, both from quantitative and economic points of view. The history of
honey usage parallels that of man and in virtually every culture evidence can be
found of its use as a food source and as a symbol employed in religious, magical
and therapeutic situations. Increase in honey production can be linked to better
climatic conditions. The need to ascertain the impacts of Climate Change on honey
production informed this study. Findings from this study that was conducted at
the University of Abuja Science and Technology Post Basic Project STEP B (World
Bank Assisted) Apiary showed an elongated raining season up to October in 2010
and 2011 beekeeping seasons. The resultant effect of this was the reduction in the
volume of honey harvested from the respective hives with a short fall of about 3 L
of honey per hive between the harvest of 2010 and 2011 beekeeping seasons. This
in turn decreased the return on investment from sales of harvested honey in the
region.
