"[...] The briefing looks at the everyday experience of people living in the world’s most populous continent: Asia. It draws on data from BBC Media Action’s Climate Asia project, which interviewed more than 33,000 people in seven countries – Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan
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and Vietnam – and compiled the results into the region’s largest ever study of public knowledge of and attitudes towards climate change. In documenting the stories of people and communities in Asia and the larger regional trends they represent, this policy briefing seeks to unleash new insights and new solutions in tackling the enduring challenge of climate change. In particular, this briefing highlights the role that media and communication can play in the adaptation process. For when we listen to those who sit metaphorically “where the earth meets the sky”, we find that many of the obstacles to climate change adaptation are informational and attitudinal in nature and would thus benefit from media and communication interventions." (Introduction, page 2)
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"In order to understand people’s needs and identify opportunities to communicate with them effectively, Climate Asia has analysed survey data from across the seven project countries – Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Vietnam, and China – and placed people into five discrete segme
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nts using a process called cluster analysis. Each segment varies in the factors that enable and prevent response. As such, each has different communication needs and can be supported in different ways. We have called these segments surviving, struggling, adapting, willing and unaffected. The proportions of these segments represent the extent to which people from the seven countries (regional analysis) perceive impacts and are taking action to respond to them. Across the region, the majority (78%) are currently feeling the impacts of changes in climate, the environment and resources now: surviving (17%), struggling (21%), adapting (20%) and willing (19%). The unaffected (23%) are feeling fewer impacts and are taking less action." (Page 2)
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"Climate Asia will be the largest ever research study into public understanding of climate change in Asia with more than 33,000 interviews conducted across seven countries: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam. This working paper explains the distinctive research approach
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BBC Media Action has taken in these seven focus countries, which have a combined population of more than three billion people. Utilising a multi-country, multi-method replicable research design, BBC Media Action aims to provide an evidence base for public understanding of climate change in Asia. BBC Media Action has taken a standard approach to research across all seven countries to enable the exploration and analysis of similarities and differences across and within these countries. Drawing insights from literature, qualitative research and a series of communications strategy development workshops, BBC Media Action’s research examines people’s understanding of the effects and impacts of climate change and their responses. This approach differs markedly from much existing research in that it does not focus primarily on the concept of climate change. Instead, BBC Media Action used insights from formative work to ask people questions using language and concepts that are more likely to relate to their day-to-day lives. Questions in the Climate Asia survey focus on tangible issues including food, water, energy and extreme weather events. This research is designed to inform the development of communications strategies that support and enable responses to impacts associated with climate change." (Executive summary)
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"Between September and November 2009, the BBC World Service Trust’s Research and Learning Group, on behalf of the British Council, conducted research in DR congo to gauge public understanding of climate change. the research consisted of 12 focus group discussions in six locations with congolese ci
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tizens, as well as 17 in-depth interviews with opinion leaders from government, religious institutions, the private sector, the media and civil society. The overall objective was to find out what people think about climate change and to determine how to tailor communication and media strategies to support dr congo’s response to climate change.
Key findings
There is a universal perception among Congolese people that their climate is changing. they tell of changes in the rainy seasons and increases in temperature and use the word ‘climate’ to describe these.
Many people talk about the “disruption” of the dry and rainy seasons and say that it is causing crop failure and affecting the country’s forests. people are particularly concerned about these changes because of the population’s reliance on natural resources.
Many are aware of the terms “climate change” and “global warming” and cite the media and schools as their main sources of information. However, few relate these terms to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Most simply use the terms to refer to the changes in the rainy seasons and increases in temperature they are experiencing.
People have a number of misconceptions. Some people inaccurately link climate change to ozone depletion, and outside the capital, most think that “global warming” refers to an increase in the temperature of the air or earth over a short period of time.
There is a strong notion of environmental stewardship linked to people’s faith. people have seen how human activity has harmed their natural environment, and they perceive that human activity could also have an effect on the weather. many think that the natural environment, including the weather, is god’s creation, and believe that they have a responsibility to protect it.
Many people believe the weather changes that they are witnessing have local causes. for example, they say that deforestation in their local area is leading to a reduction in local rainfall, and some believe that local smoke and pollution from wood fires and industry lead to increases in temperature.
Some also inaccurately relate increases in temperature to ozone depletion, which they think is caused by smoke, air pollution and other factors such as rockets and weapons. Some see changes in temperature and weather as the will of god – a view particularly prevalent among female rural populations." (Executive summary)
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"In May and June 2009, the BBC World Service Trust’s Research and Learning Group, on behalf of the British Council, conducted research in ethiopia to gauge public understanding of climate change. the research consisted of 16 focus-group discussions with Ethiopian citizens, as well as 18 in-depth i
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nterviews with opinion leaders from government, religious institutions, the private sector, the media and civil society. the overall objective was to find out what people think about climate change, and to determine how to tailor communication and media strategies to support ethiopia’s response to climate change. Key findings: Drought and extreme weather are causing frustration across Ethiopia. Farmers and pastoralists in particular say they are struggling to survive. Ethiopians have noticed changes in their weather. they say that it is getting hotter and the rains no longer fall as they used to. Most, however, have no understanding of the relationship between these issues and climate change. Most Ethiopians are not aware of the concepts of climate change and global warming. they believe the term ‘climate change’ refers to changes in the weather or seasons, and most have no knowledge of its global context or the greenhouse effect. Ethiopians draw heavily on their beliefs and existing knowledge to explain changes in the weather and their environment. Many, particularly in rural areas, believe that god is ultimately responsible for the changes they’ve experienced, and feel that there is little they can do to respond. Others point to local deforestation and local pollution as the primary causes of the drought and environmental degradation they have experienced. Yet most ethiopians do not understand the role that trees or pollution play in the global climate system." (Executive summary)
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"Many Ghanaians do not understand the science of climate change, although they have noticed changes in the weather and seasons. They tell of rising temperatures, extended periods of drought and increasing variability in seasonal rainfall. Most people, however, do not connect these with global climat
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e change. Changes in climate are not noticed by Ghanaians in isolation from broader environmental changes. People in Ghana are keenly aware of environmental degradation and natural resource depletion. They make little distinction between environmental degradation and climate change. Drought and crop failure are causing frustration and despair. Farmers and pastoralists do not have a sense of how they would cope if the problems became worse. other issues that people are worried about include bush burning, deforestation, flooding, pollution and poor sanitation. opinion leaders are particularly concerned for rural communities and the urban poor. There is a strong tendency for Ghanaians to hold themselves individually and collectively responsible for local changes in the weather. They believe that their own activities, such as cutting down trees and burning the bush, have directly brought about these changes. There is little awareness that climatic problems – now or in the future – are likely to have causes that extend beyond Ghana." (Executive summary)
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"In May 2009, the BBC world Service Trust’s Research and Learning Group, on behalf of the British Council, conducted research in Kenya to gauge public understanding of climate change. The research consisted of 12 focus-group discussions with Kenyan citizens, as well as 17 in-depth interviews with
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opinion leaders from government, religious institutions, the private sector, the media and civil society. The overall objective was to find out what people think about climate change, and to determine how to tailor communication and media strategies to support Kenya’s response to climate change.
Key findings
Drought and food scarcity are causing frustration and despair across Kenya. Farmers, fishermen and pastoralists do not know how they would cope if these problems became worse.
Kenyans have noticed changes in their weather. They say that it is getting hotter, that the seasons have shifted and that the rains are more unpredictable. Most, however, have no understanding of the relationship between these issues and climate change.
Most Kenyans are unfamiliar with the concepts of climate change and global warming. They believe the term “climate change” refers to changes in the weather or seasons and have little knowledge of its global context or the greenhouse effect.
People need more information about the causes of climate change and how its long-term impacts will affect their lives." (Executive summary)
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"From May to September 2008, The BBC World Service Trust’s research and Learning group, on behalf of the British Council, conducted research in Nigeria to gauge public understanding of climate change. The research consisted of 24 focus-group discussions with Nigerian citizens, as well as 31 in-dep
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th interviews with opinion leaders from government, religious institutions, the private sector, the media and civil society. The overall objective was to find out what people think about climate change, and how to tailor communication and media strategies to support Nigeria’s response to climate change.
Key findings
Most Nigerians do not understand the science of climate change. They have, however, noticed changes in the weather and seasons. They tell of unusual changes in rainfall patterns, increases in temperature and the worsening of existing environmental problems. Most people do not connect these with global climate change.
People in Nigeria are keenly aware of environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources. However, they make little distinction between this degradation and climate change.
There is low awareness of the concepts of climate change and global warming among the Nigerian public. Many understand climate change to mean changes in the weather or seasons. Opinion leaders agree the general public has very low awareness of climate change concepts and terminology.
There is a strong tendency among Nigerians to hold themselves individually and collectively responsible for local changes in the environment and the weather. There is little awareness that climatic problems – now or in the future – are likely to have causes that extend beyond Nigeria.
Nigerians draw on existing knowledge and beliefs to explain the effects of climate change. For example, many think that deforestation in their local area reduces local rainfall, and some incorrectly believe that smoke from cars, bush fires and factories damages the ozone layer, making it hotter.
There is a strong connection between faith and environmental stewardship in Nigeria; many people see changes in the weather as the will of god, and religious leaders emphasise humans’ duty of care to god’s creation." (Executive summary)
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"In May 2009, the BBC World Service Trust’s Research and Learning Group, on behalf of the British Council, conducted research in Senegal to gauge public understanding of climate change. The research consisted of 12 focus-group discussions with Senegalese citizens, as well as 17 in-depth interviews
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with opinion leaders from government, religious institutions, the private sector, the media and civil society. The overall objective was to find out what people think about climate change, and to determine how to tailor communication and media strategies to support Senegal’s response to climate change.
Key findings
Most Senegalese do not understand the science of climate change. They have, however, noticed changes in the weather and seasons. They tell of drought, increases in temperature and loss of distinct rainy seasons. Most people do not connect these with global climate change.
People in Senegal are keenly aware of environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources, but they make little distinction between this degradation and climate change.
Drought and scarcity of fish are causing frustration and despair. Farmers and fishermen do not have a sense of how they would cope if the problems became worse. Senegalese are also worried about bush fires, deforestation, flooding, rubbish and air pollution. opinion leaders are particularly concerned for rural communities.
There is a strong tendency for Senegalese to hold themselves individually and collectively responsible for local changes in the environment and the weather. There is little awareness that climatic problems – now or in the future – are likely to have causes that extend beyond Senegal.
Although opinion leaders recognise that climate change is a global problem, only a few recognise that industrialised countries are most responsible for causing it." (Executive summary)
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"Between August and October 2009, the BBC World Service Trust’s Research and Learning Group, funded by the British Council, conducted research in south africa to gauge public understanding of climate change. The research consisted of 16 focus group discussions with south african citizens, and 18 i
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n-depth interviews with opinion leaders from government, religious institutions, the private sector, the media, and civil society. the overall objective was to find out what people think about climate change and to determine how to tailor communication and media strategies to support south africa’s response to climate change.
Key findings
Most South Africans are aware of the phenomenon of global climate change, but their understanding of the science is patchy, although they associate the terms ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’ with carbon emissions, many also conflate them with ozone depletion. they tend to use ‘climate change’, ‘global warming‘, and ‘ozone depletion’ interchangeably.
The term ‘climate change’ often triggers associations with some of the global impacts of climate change, such as melting ice caps, rising sea levels, hurricanes, and the possible inundation of low lying countries like the Maldives and Bangladesh.
Many South Africans do not see climate change as having any special relevance to south africa or the rest of the African continent. However, when prompted to think about the impacts of climate change locally, they link it to national issues which they are already concerned about, such as the loss of wildlife and increased flooding.
Many South Africans use climate change as an umbrella term to refer to the destruction occurring in their natural surroundings, with changes in the weather and seasons forming part of the broader environmental changes people have observed over the course of their lifetimes." (Executive summary)
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