The Environmental Studies Journal(TESJ) Vol.8, No.2, pp 74 – 91; April 2026
Assessing the influence of Urban Heat Island Effects on Environment and Human Health in Calabar, Nigeria
1Isa Magaji Azare, 2Onnoghen Usang Nkanu, 2Eneji, Chris-Valentine
Ogar, 2Ndifon, Nicholas Eban & 2Obo Kerien & 2John Sunday Okon
1Dept. of Environmental Science, Federal University Dutse, Nigeria
isamagajiazare@gmail.com
2Dept. of Environmental Education, College of Education, Faculty of
Science Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria; vcogareneji@gmail.com
bhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9958-4082
Abstract
The study of Urban Heat Island (UHI) has emerged as a major environmental challenge associated with rapid urbanization and climate change in developing countries. It is observed that in Nigeria, medium-sized cities such as Calabar are increasingly experiencing elevated atmospheric and land surface temperatures resulting from land-use changes, population growth, infrastructural expansion, and declining vegetation cover. Qualitative research design was adopted for the study using thematic content analysis. Calabar metropolis was divided into four zones, North, East, South and West. Data was collected using questionnaire. Purposive sampling method was used to select one hundred respondents from each of the zones, making a total of 400 respondents. The administration of instrument was done using accidental procedure. Simple percentage was used to answer the questions on the causes, environmental effects and health effects of urban heat island in Calabar metropolis. The result of the study found that there is a relationship between urban heat island, environmental effects and human health in Calabar metropolis. The result of data analysis further revealed that Urban Heat Island contributes to heat stress, respiratory illnesses, dehydration, cardiovascular complications; poor sleep quality, and environmental discomfort among urban residents. It was concluded that urban heat island affects the environment and health of residents of Calabar metropolis. It was recommended among others that urban greening, climate-sensitive urban planning, sustainable waste management, increased public health awareness, and enforcement of environmental regulations as measures for mitigating UHI effects.
Keywords: Urban Heat Island, climate change, environmental health, human health,
urbanization.