Perception of climate change and geo-hydrological risk among high-school students: A local-scale study in Italy

Abstract

Natural hazards can produce relevant impacts on people, particularly on their life, health, properties, that are expected to increase for climate change. Sustainable approaches aiming at mitigating, adapting and reducing the vulnerability of people exposed to these hazards have to be based on the analysis of the risk perception. Many aspects (e.g. social, cultural, psychological) even autocorrelated, can affect the perception assessment. Furthermore, identifying factors that influence or determine risk perception can help to implement more effective communication strategies. In this paper, the Italian young people's awareness, perception and preparation about natural risks, mainly landslide and flood risk, as well as climate change are investigated. A survey was carried out by means of voluntary questionnaries on a group of Italian high school students, aged between 13 and 20, in central (Umbria region) and southern (Calabria region) Italy. The results reveal that the students surveyed are aware of the climate change issue and of the its effects on nature and environment. The output of the two surveys confirms the relevant role of mass media in terms of perception, knowledge and information about climate change and related impacts on young people. Moreover, a low level of trust in local administrations and a negative opinion on the policy about geo-hydrological risk have also emerged.