Journal of Research in Social Science and Humanities (2024), 4(1): 21-28 DOI: 10.47679/jrssh.v4i1.60 ISSN 2809-3356 (print), ISSN 2807-3916 (online) UKInstitute Newspapers` Reportage and Perception of Yenagoa Residents of Climate Change and Adaptation in Bayelsa State, Nigeria Jammy Seigha Guanah Published online: 11 November 2023 Abstract Climate change has been identified as a significant threat to human and natural systems, with many communities around the world being adversely affected. The impact of climate change is especially pronounced in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Bayelsa State, where rising sea levels, increased flooding, and erosion threaten the lives and livelihoods of the population. This study explored media reportage on climate change and adaptation in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, with a focus on Yenagoa, the State`s capital. Using a quantitative approach, the study analysed newspapers` (Vanguard, The Sun, and Punch newspapers) reportage of climate change issues from October 2022 to March 2023; assessed the level of public awareness of climate change and its impacts; and examined the effect of climate change on Yenagoa and the perception of its residents on their attitudes towards climate change adaptation. The Agenda Setting Theory was used for this study. Data were collected through the use of a self-administered questionnaire distributed to a representative sample of the adult population in Yenagoa. Also, Content Analysis method was adopyed. The findings indicated that newspapers` reportage on climate change in Bayelsa State is limited and that the public has a low level of awareness on the subject. The study recommended the need for increased media attention to climate change issues, and the importance of public education and awareness-raising efforts to promote climate change adaptation in the region. Keywords: Adaptation, Bayelsa, Climate Change, Media, Reportage INTRODUCTION Climate change has grown to be a major worldwide problem since it affects every region of the planet. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has issued a warning that the consequences of climate change are having a significant impact on both natural and human systems, and that immediate action is needed to reduce these effects. The Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Mansur Bako Matazu proclaims that water-related hazards such as flood, drought and others have become major causes of food insecurity, strains on livelihoods, health risks and conflicts in many parts of Africa (Agabi, 2022). Most of these hazards are triggered by climate change. In late 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria revealed that 500 people died as a result of the flooding across the country. It said the flood wreaked havoc in 31 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, with over 1.4million persons affected. The Federal Government also said several farmlands and houses were damaged due to the impact of the flooding (Akpan, 2022). For California State University at Chico, the message that climate change was too big to be contained in a single department or programme was delivered in plumes of choking smoke from a wildfire raging 15 miles away. Mangan (2023) reports that the 2018 Camp Fire, which killed 85 people, displaced more than 300 people from the university community, and cancelled classes at Chico State for three weeks. Heavy rain from a cyclone inundated streets in Dhaka, Bangladesh in October 2022. Climate change is leading to more such events around the world. To offer a glim of hope and "solidarity" for developing countries battered by the expensive effects of global warming, the UN climate negotiations agreed to discuss the contentious topic of money for "loss and damage." This decision was made in recognition of the devastating effects of climate change on developing countries like Nigeria. According to AFP (2022), the poorest nations, which are also the ones most affected by a wave of weather extremes, have increased pressure on affluent polluting nations to offer financial aid for growing losses. Four out of five global cities will experience substantial climate risks, including excessive heat, torrential rain, R E S E A R C H A R T I C L E Department of Mass Communication, University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, Nigeria *) corresponding author Jammy Seigha Guanah, Ph.D Email: jammyguanah@yahoo.com and jammy.guanah@uat.edu.ng