Most Sri Lankans -- nearly 9 out of 10 across the country -- have heard of climate change and/or global warming.
Among them, 36 % are ‘strongly concerned’, while another 57 % are ‘somewhat concerned’ about how climate change can personally affect themselves and their families. The impacts they most fear are water and food shortages, and the spread of disease. Yet, optimistically, many believe that ‘there is still a chance to prevent the worst impacts -- if we act fast’. They feel that both the government and people should be involved in responding to the climate crisis. Among the most favoured climate-friendly actions are tree planting, forest conservation and proper disposal of waste.
 These insights have emerged from a recent countrywide survey on public perceptions on climate change in Sri Lanka. These findings add a new sense of urgency to tackling the many challenges posed by climate change.
This year’s biggest climate conference is currently underway in Cancun, Mexico, from November 29 to December 10. For two weeks, governments of 194 countries will discuss and negotiate solutions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Sri Lanka, which signed the global treaty in 1993, will be among the countries represented.
The large sample survey, conducted in mid 2010, covered 1,000 men and women over 18 years, living in urban and rural areas in all 25 districts of Sri Lanka. It was carried out by market research company, Survey Research Lanka (Pvt) Limited.
The survey sought to map out perceptions and opinions among ordinary Sri Lankan people on changes in their environment, and to find out how aware they are about climate change. As its technical advisor, I was clear that we were not trying to assess or evaluate anyone’s factual knowledge on the subject.
Instead, we wanted to capture perceptions and opinions of people from all walks of life –- from office workers and housewives to farmers and businessmen. When analysed using standard market research techniques, their answers broadly indicate the current levels of understanding, or the lack of it, on various changes in weather, climate and our physical environment.
Changes all around
One key aspect probed was if and how ordinary people have noticed changes in their local weather and environmental conditions. Those who have been living in the same district for at least 10 years (915 persons out of total 1,000) were asked for impressions about rainfall, temperature and drought conditions.
Nearly two thirds (64 %) felt that the rains are no longer received on time. This observation was the highest in the Southern, Uva, Sabaragamuwa and North-western Provinces. A little over half (57 %) also said they have been experiencing unusually heavy ainfall (high volume of rain coming down in short periods of time).
Nine out of 10 persons in all parts of the country felt that their day to day temperatures are higher today than in the past. More than 3 out of 5 respondents (or 61%) also said that they have recently experienced (what they termed as) drought conditions. The percentage was higher among rural residents, and among those living in the Dry and Intermediate Zones of the country.
Among those who have experienced drought, a majority (80 %) felt such droughts are occurring more often now than five to 10 years ago. Again, this perception was more widely expressed by those living rural areas as well as those in the Dry and Intermediate Zones. Most of them also felt that droughts today last for longer periods than in the past.
People offered their own explanations on why the rainfall, temperature and other natural factors have changed significantly. The most cited reason, expressed by nearly three quarters of the sample, was deforestation (covering timber extraction, forest land clearing, forest fires and species extinction). Other factors held responsible included air pollution from vehicles and factories, development projects and construction activity, population growth, and general ‘pollution’. (Multiple answers were allowed.)
Not too many people could make a direct link between these local changes and global climate change -- but there was broad agreement that something is just not right.
Most people surveyed have heard of climate change and/or global warming: 882 out of the 1,000 had heard of ‘climate change’; 790 also recognised the term ‘global warming’ in their own language (survey was conducted in English, Sinhala or Tamil as chosen by the respondent). This familiarity of the terms was found both urban and rural residents, as well as in all income groups.
Whodunnit?
Among those who have heard about climate change, 91 % agreed with the statement that ‘climate change is caused by man-made global warming’. The others were either undecided or unconvinced.
Most people had first heard about climate change from the mass media or when in school, which, between them, accounted for 95% of the information sources on climate.
Those who have heard of climate change were probed further about what they mentally associated it with. Many thought of: water shortages; less food being grown; and a rise in infectious diseases and epidemics. Other impacts -- such as increases in floods, droughts and cyclones, and disruptions in rainfall patterns and seasons -- figured less prominently.
Nearly three quarters of people -- from all parts of the country, and across all income groups -- cited the ‘developed countries’ being principally responsible for man-made climate change. Two thirds of the sample also held ‘factory owners’ responsible, while almost as many acknowledged that ‘all human beings both rich and poor’, shared the responsibility.
Different individuals held widely different views when asked about the primary cause or reason for accelerated climate change. The three most widely cited factors were: air pollution, loss of forest cover and damage to the ozone layer. These rankings did not change by people’s income level or geographical location. Significant numbers also attributed climate change to the burning of coal and petroleum, and population growth.
Those who are ‘strongly’ or ‘somewhat’ concerned about climate change were asked if they believed something can and should be done: 78 % readily agreed.
Seven out of 10 of such agreeing people remained optimistic that ‘there is still a chance to prevent the worst impacts if we act fast’. Another 22 % agreed with the notion that ‘there is still a slim chance to overcome/reduce adverse impacts’. Others felt ‘it is too late now to prevent drastic consequences’ or believed that ‘Nature will heal on its own’.
What’s to be done?
The optimists were asked to list any climate-friendly action of their choice. A vast majority (72 %) suggested planting trees and increasing the country’s forest cover. It was followed by forest conservation (43 %) and maintaining a clean environment through proper waste disposal (19 %). Other responses were wide and varied, but did not add up to statistically significant levels. (Answers were not prompted.)
Most people were willing to take some action to improve their local environmental conditions and help the climate. At the same time, many expected the central, provincial and local governments to take preventive and remedial action.
Those who are concerned about climate change, and wanted to do something about it personally, were then asked why they have not acted so far. Their single biggest reason: not having enough technical or specific information. The other key ‘excuses’: climate-friendly changes or actions are too costly, some actions are not practical or feasible, and not having enough time.
Mass media -- where most people first heard of climate change – is also where they would most look for the latest information on what can be done, and how to do it. The survey revealed that broadcast television is Lankans’ primary source of information on current news and events, followed by radio, newspapers and magazines.
The next most preferred sources for climate related information are state agencies dealing with the subjects (environment, meteorology), and people’s own peer circles.
This survey was commissioned under an ADB Technical Assistance Project titled ‘Strengthening Capacity for Climate Change Adaptation’. It was part of the research for preparing the draft National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (NCCAS). The Strategy, unveiled on 16 November 2010, will help Sri Lanka prepare for many impacts of climate change.
When formally adopted by the Government, the NCCAS is expected to stimulate improved environmental management and better preparedness in all sectors to cope with climate change. Such careful planning and investment could help Sri Lanka turn current threas into future opportunities.
(The writer has been communicating about climate change for over 20 years, and heads the media foundation, TVE Asia Pacific. Along with Dr Buddhi Weerasinghe, he served as communication specialist for the expert team that prepared NCCAS. The survey report is available at http://tiny.cc/PPSLSum). |
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