The rural people have been recognized as knowledge holders on climate variability/change and key actors for developing policies to mitigate and cope with its effects. The study attempts to assess perception level of rural people to Climate change in selected communities in Cross River State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 120 rural dwellers in 4 communities. This data centered on knowledge (awareness) level of climate variability/change causes, effects, mitigation and adaptive strategies. The data generated were analyzed using the descriptive statistics. Results showed 71.7% of the people are aware of climate change. They also indicated that the onset of rains is now delayed while cessation is earlier against the trend in the past. This corroborates the meteorological parameters obtained from Nigeria Meteorological Agency. The Study further indicates that, though there are natural causes, 66.7% of rural people accepted human activities as major causes of climate change/variability. The results also showed that the effects of climate in rural areas include poor crop yields (56.7% response); reduced soil fertility (66.7% response); increase flood (56.7%), poverty and food shortage (50% response). The sources of peoples' awareness show widespread information from environmental education/sensitization by NGOs and extension workers as well as media which at the moment is lacking and limited to radio talks and jingles. It is recommended that the more awareness should be created on the effect of human activities on climate; also, indigenous knowledge system should complement global modern knowledge systems to enhance climate change mitigation.

Linking areas of production with that of consumption is an effective approach for resource management and enhance productivity. Transportation remains a catalyst for efficient utilization of environmental resources for agricultural development safeguarding food security and rural livelihood. This study therefore is tailored towards assessing the impact of rural transportation on agricultural development in Boki LGA. The study adopts a questionnaire survey method for data collection as well as key informant interview and Focus Group Discussion. The study area was segmented into two based on accessibility viz, accessible and inaccessible communities. The result reveals that in inaccessible communities, common to the people is the use of head porterage (44%) as a means of conveying their goods to the market, while in accessible areas; the common means is the use of landrover. Accessibility has therefore influenced positively the income, employment and easy access to market thereby increasing farm holdings. The paired sample test indicates that the farm holdings vary significantly in terms of farm sizes-Less than 1 hectares shows significant variation (t=5.245; p<0.05) and above 13 hectares (t=4.804; p<0.05). The difference between low income and high income earnings in both areas is statistically significant (t=2.687; p<0.05 and t=2.856; p<0.05). This result shows that transportation is vital for rural agricultural development. Hence it is recommended that rural transportation be given utmost priority to ensure sustainable food production.

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Increasing human activities around protected area pinpoint to looming degradation and alteration of the component of such areas, especially where adequate measures are not taken to forestall encroachment. The Oban division of the Cross River National Park is one of the oldest rainforests and has been identified as a biodiversity hotspot. However, communities settling around the park have been involved in some economic activities for their livelihood. Resource utilization at the edge of the park may alter the components of the park such as species diversity. Therefore this study is geared towards assessing the impact of human encroachment and the concomitant impact on the distribution of species within the park. The study adopted participatory research methods which included Focus Group Discussion and participatory mapping as well as a plot based survey which involved the laying of sample plots within two zones of the park designated as areas bounded by cultivated land and areas bounded by fallow. Three 40 m × 40 m square plots are laid along a 320 meter transect measured from the boundary of the park at each buffer zone. The plots are separated by 100 m gap. From the result obtained, it is discovered that Musanga cercropoides dominates the outer plots of the cultivated zones and fallow zones comprising 20.2 and 21.5 percent respectively while Terminalia ivorensis dominates the middle and inner areas of the park. Moreover the composition of species decreases inward to the inner part of the park. Diversity index decreases in the order of 2.566 < 2.348 < 2.163 at the cultivated zones and 2.443 < 2.376 < 2.366 at the fallow zones. It is concluded that human activities close to the park alters the species composition of the park. Hence, it's recommended that adequate alternatives livelihood and incentive be provided to support zone communities to reduce their dependents on the edge of the park.

This article is about analysing two issues of pornography and hate speech in the context of political theory and Malaysian politics. This article examines both issues from liberals arguments and it shows that although liberalism supports the right for free speech, since the 1970s many liberals feel that pornography and hate speech should not be part of free speech doctrine because both are not contributing for the public good in democratic system and they are also detrimental to the society. By using the cultural arguments of Asian values, Malaysia totally rejects these practices because they are not suitable in a cultural and religious conscious Malaysian multiracial society. Although many are sceptic about the use of Asian values for the rejection and the uses of hate speech by people including the government, opposition and NGOs for political gain, in principle, Malaysians are in consensus of rejecting both issues for the good of society.