Open AccessKnowledge, Concern and Support for Policy on Adaptations to Impacts of Climate Change in Grand Bahamian
Author(s) -
Feraldo D. Joffre,
Berkley N. King
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of environment and climate change
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2581-8627
DOI - 10.9734/ijecc/2020/v10i1030255
Subject(s) - climate change , political economy of climate change , psychology , environmental resource management , sociology of scientific knowledge , political science , geography , sociology , environmental science , social science , ecology , biology
This study assessed the knowledge, concern and support of policy relative to climate change impacts of Grand Bahamians. Specifically the study assessed the awareness and concern of Grand Bahamians; examine the difference in participants’ awareness and concern of climate change impacts; analyze the factors that influence the awareness and concern of climate change impacts of participants; and assess the predictive ability of the Value Belief Norm Theory in relation to the participants’ intent to support policy for climate change issues. A survey questionnaire and focus group discussion were used for ata collection Findings showed that Grand Bahamians have a low level of scientific knowledge, a high level of concern regarding climate change and a strong intent to support policy for climate adaptation. Despite this low level of scientific knowledge, they have a developed experiential knowledge due to their frequent exposure to extreme climate events they perceive to be associated with climate change. The high level of concern influenced their desire to support policies aimed at adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change.