The perception of climate change: Comparative evidence from the small-island societies of Bougainville and Palawan

Abstract

In this study we investigate and compare factors that influence local people's perception of climate change and understanding of its causes in the coastal small island societies of Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) and Palawan (Philippines). According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) small island societies are among the most vulnerable to climate change. However, the majority of the existing studies focus on Australia, the United States and Europe and few carry out cross-country comparisons to find general trends or cross-national differences. Based on a quantitative analysis our empirical research suggests that factors such as education, access to information via mobile phones and radios and market integration increase people's awareness of climate change independent of their cultural background. At the same time, these factors do not seem to affect people's understanding of the causes of climate change, while subjective vulnerability partly does. Misperception of climate change causes is quite heterogeneous suggesting that local factors such as beliefs, values, and other short-term pressing problems (such as poverty and food security) limit understanding. The results of the present paper provide valuable insights for the design of climate policies at national as well as the local level.