Abstract
PurposePerceptions of climate change and its threats to rural communities are among major challenges faced by scientists around the world. A few studies prove that these communities are aware of change in climatic conditions and their impacts on people’s livelihoods. Climate change is usually perceived as increasing warming days, erratic rainfall patterns, ecological variability, biological change and their adverse effects on human beings. This study aims to assess Ga-Dikgale community’s perceptions on climate change and variability.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research method was adopted and community members of age 60 and above in GaDikgale community were purposively selected as participants in the study. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, and thematic content analysis was used to analyse data.FindingsThe study found that the community perceives climate change and climate variability based on changes in temperature patterns, erratic rainfall patterns, seasonal change, depletion of biodiversity, decline in subsistence crop production, change in water quality and cessation of cultural activities.Originality/valueThe study concludes that community’s perceptions of climate change are largely centred on variations in temperature and rainfall patterns. It has been established that knowledge of climate change in rural communities is of paramount importance in as far as adaptation to climate hazards is concerned.
Highlights
This paper assesses climate change and vulnerability perceptions in the South African rural community of Ga-Dikgale
The section begins with biographical information of the participants followed by their knowledge of climate change, changes in temperature, changes in rainfall patterns, depletion of biodiversity, decline in subsistence crop production, change in water quality and cessation of cultural activities
The rationale for capturing data about the age of the respondents was to find out which age group in the study area was more likely to possess knowledge about climate change and the adaptation measures to cope with the impact of climate change on their livelihoods
Summary
This paper assesses climate change and vulnerability perceptions in the South African rural community of Ga-Dikgale. Perceptions of climate change and its threats to rural communities are among major challenges faced by scientists. Fewer studies prove that rural communities are aware of change in climatic conditions (IPCC, 2007). International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management Vol 11 No 3, 2019 pp. Climate change is perceived as increasing warming days, changes in rainfall patterns, ecological variability, biological change and their adverse effects on human beings. Other studies indicate that warm days are rapidly increasing, rainfall pattern is unpredictable, seasons are changing, incidents of drought are increasing, hailstorm occur abnormally and water resources are decreasing (Kruger and Shongwe, 2004; IPCC, 2007; Gurung and Bhandari, 2009)
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