Promote Climate Change Research Articles

Blue Carbon Potential of Mangrove Ecosystems and Its Management to Promote Climate Change Mitigation in Indonesia

This research aimed to analyze blue carbon potential and mangrove ecosystem management in promoting climate change mitigation in Indonesia. The collected data included mangrove area data obtained through the Indonesian National Ecosystem Monitoring System (SIMONTANA). This research calculated the carbon stock using the global average of mangrove carbon stock. The results showed that the total blue carbon stored in mangrove ecosystems reached 3,267.87 Megaton Carbon (MtC). Papua and Kalimantan regions contributed the most significant potential, with 1,707.22 MtC and 608.17 MtC, respectively. The absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) reached 11,982.21 MtCO2e. The most significant CO2 gas emissions absorption was observed in the Papua region, amounting to 6,259.80 MtCO2e, followed by Sumatra with 2,118.59 MtCO2e. This high potential value correlated with mangrove ecosystem management policies, such as conservation, restoration, and blue carbon monetization. Mangrove management for climate change mitigation was carried out through national and international cooperation to achieve the 26% to 40% emission reduction target. The existing management model of mangrove ecosystems focused on improving ecological sustainability with less orientation on improving community welfare. Implementing blue carbon monetization at the district level by involving the community as the owners or managers of the mangrove ecosystems is crucial.

One in three or three in one: Integrating three competing theoretical models (TPB, VIP, and PADM) to explain the intentions to act/actions against climate change

This study examines multidimensional factors affecting climate change response behavior. It constructs an integrated model based on the theory of planned behavior, value–identity–personal norms model, and protective action decision model, as a single theory cannot capture the complex nature of human behavior. Recent studies have shown that integrating theories include various influencing factors and indicate higher explanatory power. Therefore, this study uses an integrated model to identify multidimensional influencing factors. The fit of the integrated model was confirmed to be excellent (Chi-square = 1271.866, p = .000, GFI = 0.930, NFI = 0.940, RMSEA = 0.060, TLI = 0.937, SRMR = 0.059), and identity exhibited the greatest effect on personal norms, followed by intention on behavior. The integrated model suggests the following path: ecological value → identity → personal norms → stakeholder awareness → intention → behavior and then ecological value → identity → perceived behavioral control → risk awareness → intention → behavior. The results of the integrated model suggest that a multifaceted approach is necessary to promote climate change response behavior. Various factors, such as ecological value, identity, personal norms, stakeholder awareness, perceived behavioral control, and risk awareness, interact and influence behavior. Policies and programs that comprehensively consider these factors should be established.

How to Promote Climate Change Education: Based on the Study of the “Climate Change Education” Research Group

How to Promote Climate Change Education: Based on the Study of the “Climate Change Education” Research Group

The International Climate Psychology Collaboration: Climate change-related data collected from 63 countries

Climate change is currently one of humanity’s greatest threats. To help scholars understand the psychology of climate change, we conducted an online quasi-experimental survey on 59,508 participants from 63 countries (collected between July 2022 and July 2023). In a between-subjects design, we tested 11 interventions designed to promote climate change mitigation across four outcomes: climate change belief, support for climate policies, willingness to share information on social media, and performance on an effortful pro-environmental behavioural task. Participants also reported their demographic information (e.g., age, gender) and several other independent variables (e.g., political orientation, perceptions about the scientific consensus). In the no-intervention control group, we also measured important additional variables, such as environmentalist identity and trust in climate science. We report the collaboration procedure, study design, raw and cleaned data, all survey materials, relevant analysis scripts, and data visualisations. This dataset can be used to further the understanding of psychological, demographic, and national-level factors related to individual-level climate action and how these differ across countries.

Enhancing climate resilience of vulnerable women in the Global South through power sharing in DC microgrids

Many women of remote communities in the Global South (GS) are highly vulnerable to natural disasters caused by climate change, due to their low adaptive capability. Inclusion of gender considerations has been emphasized in national adaptation plans and initiatives aimed at reducing vulnerability. However, the potential of low-cost electricity-based solutions in promoting climate change adaptation is largely unexplored. In countries of the GS, remote communities have adopted stand-alone solar home systems, which are often inefficient and require significant investments for upgrading. In this work, a model of an off-grid DC microgrid with distributed generation and storage is proposed, allowing individual households to obtain extra energy through neighborhood-level prosumer power sharing. The benefits of power sharing are evaluated through the development of a mixed-integer linear program using load requirements based on the World Bank's Multi-Tier Framework for household energy access. The results show that households with prosumer power sharing can access more than 60 % extra energy compared to their stand-alone status with up to 34 % reduction in Levelized Cost of Energy. Access to additional energy can allow vulnerable households to access energy services in the household to potentially improve climate change adaptation opportunities in agriculture, livelihood and educational sectors, among others.

Business Shakes Politics: Its Impact on Climate Policy

Irresponsible carbon emissions by businesses are the leading factor in climate change, which are threatening human civilisation. Global leaders did little to curb industrialists’ authoritarianism despite calls from all concerned. Many researchers believe that business has an important role behind policymakers’ inaction. In this context, the main objective of this research is to explore the impact of business on climate policy when they shake hands or embrace with politics. This qualitative study used content analysis to meet the objective using primary data from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Conference of Parties decisions, and so on and secondary literature from books, dissertations, journals, and others. This study demonstrates that businesses have vehemently opposed climate science since its inception. When the issue became political in the 1980s, animosity intensified as they feared climate regulations would harm their interests. So, initially, they attempted to negate climate science by portraying it as something unproven and promoting climate change as an opportunity for humanity. They additionally applied a variety of strategies like publishing books, periodicals, research articles, and newspaper articles, spreading media propaganda, and giving donations to mislead policymakers. As a result, climate policy formation and implementation are significantly delayed, and business interests are protected. This study implies that businesses will suffer if civilisation collapses due to the unwise use of fossil fuels. Therefore, all stakeholders must prioritise collective interests over individual ones. Otherwise, it will engulf everyone. Philosophy and Progress, Vol#73-74; No#1-2; Jan-Dec 2023 P 151-182

Climate change anxiety and its association with somatic symptom distress and idiopathic environmental intolerances: A cross-sectional study

ContextIndividuals need greater climate change awareness in order to mitigate and adapt to climate changes but this awareness can lead to negative health outcomes including climate change anxiety. ObjectiveTo explore the associations between climate change anxiety, idiopathic environmental intolerances and somatic symptom distress, after accounting for modern health worries, anxiety and depression. MethodsA non-representative sample of healthy volunteers completed a cross-sectional online survey that included the Climate Change Anxiety scale (CCA-13), single questions about idiopathic intolerance to five environmental agents, the Somatic Symptoms scale (SSS-8), the Modern Health Worries scale (MHW-12), and the Patient Health Questionnaire for symptoms of anxiety and depression (PHQ-4). Participants also reported their sex, age and subjective socioeconomic status. Bivariate analyses investigated associations between variables and path analyses explored potential mediating factors. Results432 participants completed the questionnaire, 421 of whom were included in analyses (67 % women, mean age: 32.7 standard deviation: 12.4). Climate change anxiety, idiopathic environmental intolerances, somatic symptom distress, modern health worries, and symptoms of anxiety and depression were positively correlated in bivariate analyses (Pearson's ranging from 0.22 to 0.57, all p < 0.001). In path analyses, modern health worries (R2 = 9.9 %) partially mediated the relation between climate change anxiety (R2 = 20.3 %) and two correlated outcome variables, idiopathic environmental intolerances (R2 = 36.8 %) and somatic symptom distress (R2 = 32.4 %). ConclusionsClimate change anxiety may negatively affect perceived physical health. Stakeholders should aim at promoting climate change awareness while addressing modern health worries to avoid negative health outcomes.

Relationship Between Background of Youth and Their Awareness, Attitude and Perception Towards Climate Change

Nowadays, climate change has been a topic of discussion for many people at various levels all over the world. With the increase in world temperature year by year, there are many reports of extreme weather, melting of the polar ice cap, and rising of the sea level that are affecting people in their daily lives. Since it is disrupting human life, efforts are being carried out by international bodies, governments, and various NGOs in mitigation and adaptation efforts of climate change impact by raising awareness on climate change issues. In Malaysia, such efforts are being carried out too, and many studies are conducted to analyse various aspects of climate change, including social science. In this study, youth are targeted as the respondents as they can play an important role in climate change mitigation, which makes analysing their level of awareness, perception, and attitude towards climate change needed. Therefore, using purposive sampling techniques, undergraduates at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) currently taking the WSU 101: Sustainable Issues, Challenges, and Prospects course are chosen as respondents. Using an online questionnaire, 234 out of 498 students participated in this study. In order to understand the intention and motivation of youth towards climate change, the Theory of Planned Behaviour is used, and three types of variables, which consist of independent variables (gender, age, education background, and knowledge), intervening variables (personal experience, self-interest, and intention), and dependent variables (awareness, perception, and behaviour), are used to analyse the relationship and factors. Using all the data collected, it was found that respondents in this study are aware of and have a good understanding of climate change. Moreover, it is also found that they are aware that climate change is affecting their lives, and there is a relationship between their demographic background, experiences, and behaviour or attitudes towards climate change. Since climate change impacts are affecting our livelihoods and youth, which represent almost half of Malaysia's current population, it can be an effective and efficient tool to promote climate change awareness for mitigation and adaptation programs. Thus, the findings of this study can be used as a baseline for climate change programs among youth, and this can be done by collecting responses from a larger youth population so that more comprehensive initiatives can be planned and implemented.

Strategies for promoting climate change transparency and inclusive growth through south-south climate change cooperation

Strategies for promoting climate change transparency and inclusive growth through south-south climate change cooperation

Advancing Climate Change Literacy: Are Academic Libraries Part of the Solution?

The evolving role of academic libraries in fostering sustainable communities, particularly through climate change literacy, has gained prominence recently. A questionnaire study with 203 academic library staff in Jordan highlighted these libraries’ significant role in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The findings underline libraries as key facilitators of climate literacy, stressing the need for diverse strategies in today’s socio-academic context. Libraries are urged to enhance their collections for greater inclusivity, provide extensive climate-related staff training, and focus on sustainable operations to demonstrate environmental commitment. The study advocates for targeted outreach, the use of advanced digital tools, and embracing a global mindset that respects linguistic and cultural diversity. To effectively promote climate change literacy, libraries require strategic planning, deeper user engagement, capacity building, and a dedicated effort to enhance climate literacy.

Adaptation strategies of paddy farmers to build resilience to climate change in kahama district, Tanzania

The study investigates the adaptation strategies used by the paddy farmers in Kahama District to increase their adaptability to climate change. The study focuses on four main objectives, including changed farming practices, changes in cropping practices, strategies used to adapt to climate change, and desired interventions to improve agricultural production and resilience to climate change. A mixed-methods strategy is used in the study to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. According to the data, paddy farmers in Kahama District have used a number of climate change adaptation strategies. These adaptations include modifications to irrigation techniques, timing adjustments for planting, seed variety changes, and fertilizer treatment adjustments. The study also reveals a change in crop systems, with farmers choosing drought-tolerant cultivars, intercropping, and crop diversification; increased water management practices, increased soil conservation practices, and informed decision-making through the use of climate information services are some of the strategies used by paddy farmers to adapt to climate change. The study also identifies the interventions that farmers want to see implemented, such as enhanced irrigation systems, workshops on climate-resilient farming techniques, access to resilient seed varieties, and dependable weather forecasting and climate information services. These findings show the paddy farmers in the Kahama District's proactive response to the problems posed by climate change and help to better understand the adaptation measures they have used. The study highlights the importance of assisting farmers in advancing their current strategies and knowledge while also attending to their unique requirements. Implementing desired actions, such as expanding climate information services, supplying training and access to robust seed varieties, and enhancing irrigation infrastructure, can significantly increase agricultural productivity and the region's resistance to climate change. For politicians, extension services, and development organizations looking to promote climate change adaptation and sustainable agriculture, these research findings have real-world applications. Paddy farmers' ability to adapt, agricultural output, and livelihood security in the face of climate change problems can all be improved by matching interventions and policies with their recognized needs and goals. Such activities can support attempts to achieve food security and sustainable development in the Kahama District and other areas, as well as the agricultural sector's overall resilience.

The effects of climate extreme events on selected food crop yields in Sub-Saharan Africa

The agricultural sector is essential for economic growth. However, agricultural performance can be limited by factors such as climatic risks. This paper aims to analyse the effect of climate extreme events on selected food crop yield in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The study uses data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) database for maize, rice, and sorghum yields. Also, we used data obtained from the International Disaster Database of the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) for floods and droughts over the period 1990–2020. The data were analysed based on the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS). The results showed that climate extreme events negatively affected maize, rice and sorghum yields. Also, the findings showed that floods and droughts in past years negatively influence current yields of maize, rice and sorghum. Moreover, agricultural labour force, fertilizer and financial development are the main transmission channels through which floods and droughts can affect maize, rice and sorghum yields. The study concludes by recommending that policies aimed at promoting climate change adaptation measures as well as agricultural insurance could make the agriculture sector more resilient to climate extreme events and in turn that could improve agricultural productivity and reduce food insecurity.

Newspapers` Reportage and Perception of Yenagoa Residents of Climate Change and Adaptation in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Climate change has been identified as a significant threat to human and natural systems, with many communities around the world being adversely affected. The impact of climate change is especially pronounced in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Bayelsa State, where rising sea levels, increased flooding, and erosion threaten the lives and livelihoods of the population. This study explored media reportage on climate change and adaptation in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, with a focus on Yenagoa, the State`s capital. Using a quantitative approach, the study analysed newspapers` (Vanguard, The Sun, and Punch newspapers) reportage of climate change issues from October 2022 to March 2023; assessed the level of public awareness of climate change and its impacts; and examined the effect of climate change on Yenagoa and the perception of its residents on their attitudes towards climate change adaptation. The Agenda Setting Theory was used for this study. Data were collected through the use of a self-administered questionnaire distributed to a representative sample of the adult population in Yenagoa. Also, Content Analysis method was adopyed. The findings indicated that newspapers` reportage on climate change in Bayelsa State is limited and that the public has a low level of awareness on the subject. The study recommended the need for increased media attention to climate change issues, and the importance of public education and awareness-raising efforts to promote climate change adaptation in the region.

Designing agroforestry systems for greater economic viability and resilience

Agroforestry is recognised for its capacity to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation, but adoption rates remain lower than expected, necessitating an exploration into the economic viability of agroforestry practices. Key economic variables influencing the viability of agroforestry include benefits, costs, labour and farmers' risk profiles. Benefits of agroforestry include increased income and food security, and stability and resilience against market fluctuations and adverse weather conditions. Costs, both direct - fixed (land) and variable (fertiliser) - and indirect, are high to begin with but more established agroforestry systems ultimately provide cost-savings. Labour is more intensive in agroforestry than in monoculture farming, but agroforestry farmers work under cooler conditions thanks to shade trees. A farmers' risk perception is influenced by socioeconomic factors, market fluctuations and environmental conditions, but the risk posed by market price fluctuations can be mitigated through diversification. Models are used to analyse the economic viability of agroforestry systems, considering factors such as crop combinations, labour requirements and market conditions. Farmers’ knowledge of the economic performance of agroforestry systems must be improved upon, but their approval of model scenarios depends upon local contexts and perceptions being understood and respected. Only then will the sustainable adoption and scaling up of agroforestry practices improve.

Farmers’ perceptions of agroforestry, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The development of agriculture, particularly monocultures and extensive land-consuming practices, are causing deforestation and forest degradation, and this destruction of important carbon sinks is fueling climate change. Agroforestry, which involves the association of trees with crops and/or livestock, is presented as an alternative to industrial agriculture and slash-and-burn practices, to promote climate change resilience. In addition to climate change mitigation, agroforestry offers a plenitude of benefits, but there are often challenges to implementing agroforestry models. These include ensuring feasibility in local contexts and meeting diverse needs, which requires constant adaptation and mutual learning between farmers and technical experts. This proved true for Tropenbos DRC who worked to promote agroforestry among small forest and agricultural producers in the Bafwasende area of Tshopo Province. Tropenbos DRC’s initial approach of creating community agroforestry fields faced limited success as an unexpected degree of individualism made a communitarian approach unsuitable. The original model also met resistance as it combined cocoa and plantain with trees despite plantain not being an economically viable crop for farmers. In response, a shift in approach was made to rather support individual farmers interested in agroforestry, who could prioritise cocoa plants amongst trees, to ensure greater profits. In the former model, from 2019 to 2021, only 4 ha of cocoa trees were planted. Conversely, in just six months of adopting the new model in 2021, 45 ha of cocoa trees were planted. It is clear then, that the success of agroforestry models depends on farmer’s acceptance. All stakeholders must be included in what should be a participatory and iterative process that must remain flexible, as adaptability is essential for the continuous improvement and success of agroforestry initiatives.

'They Talk about the Weather, but No One Does Anything about It': A Mixed-Methods Study of Everyday Climate Change Conversations.

Understanding everyday conversations about climate change may provide insights into framing the issue to promote climate change action. As part of a longitudinal online study in the US launched in June 2021, 805 respondents were asked if they had discussed climate change with a friend or family member in the prior month; if not, why not, and if yes, they were asked to delineate the conversation topic. Concurrent mixed methods were used to analyze the data. The majority (62.6%) of respondents reported not having a conversation about climate change in the prior month. Among those who indicated that they had discussed climate change, five themes were identified from the conversation topics, with many having reported discussing the impact of climate change on weather patterns. Very few discussed actions to address climate change, and most of these discussions focused on individual-level behaviors rather than collective actions. Among participants who had not recently discussed climate change, the most prevalent theme was that it was not a priority or an issue they cared about. Results suggest that conversations may not lead to collective actions and that policymakers and environmental organizations should provide guidance on effectively channeling climate change concerns into action.

A blessing in disguise: advisers’ experiences with promoting climate change mitigation among Norwegian farmers

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of the paper is to analyze how promotional and advisory efforts address climate change mitigation in Norway and to learn how advisers navigate between governmental goals to address the common good and farmers’ private needs. Methodology Empirical data was obtained through semi-structured in-depth interviews with eight agricultural advisers with the mandate of promoting climate-friendly farming, as well as through notes and presentations from a workshop involving advisers and agricultural schoolteachers. Data were analyzed qualitatively on the basis of meaning condensation and meaning categorization. Findings Only the most enterprising farmers have proactively sought climate advice and attended climate courses – and primarily for farm-benefiting gains other than climate change mitigation. The advisers see it as essential to highlight the overall gains that derive from climate change mitigation and that benefit farms in the broader sense in order to motivate farmers, while the central communication around climate advice and courses more narrowly solely focuses on the opportunity to reduce emissions. Practical implications and value It is important to create a suitable framing of climate change mitigation and its benefits both at the macro (policy and programme) and micro (farm-level advice) levels, in order to reach out to as many farmers as possible. Theoretical implications Advice framing that puts greater emphasis on the private, non-climate-related benefits of climate change mitigation actions seems to stimulate greater support for these actions than a common-good framing focused on addressing climate change only.

University Students’ Perception of Community Information Centres as a Vehicle for Climate Change Awareness Creation in Ghana.

Information has a significant role in the growth of people and societies. Yet access to information is unequal across communities, particularly in rural areas in developing countries. Given this, people’s consciousness of climatic change differs by several factors including location and the type of medium employed. This paper examines community information centres as a vehicle for climate change awareness creation in Ghana. The paper adopted a quantitative approach with 205 participants randomly chosen from six public universities. The finding shows that selling of traditional medicines dominates information centres’ activities. Environmental health and climate change education occupy infinitesimal place in these centres’ activities with climate change occupying the very bottom. The study also shows that using local language, providing a platform for grassroot education, integrating scientific and indigenous knowledge, etc. are some of the ways these centres can be used to promote climate change consciousness. The results also disclose that community information centres face the problems of limited resources, lack of interest, unreliable power source etc. Regarding how to manage these challenges, the majority of the participants proposed the role of government in providing resources, community sensitisation, an alternative power source, among others. The paper concludes that although proper attention has not been given to climate change awareness creation in information centres’ activities in Ghana, these informational hubs can be a medium to raise climate change awareness in the disadvantaged and marginalised rural communities in which they are situated to facilitate local adaptation.

Divisive Discourse on the 2019–2020 Climate Change Effects among Tanzanian Stakeholders

Promoting climate change discourses may potentially create a useful space for addressing the effects of climate change in Tanzania. During disasters such as floods, everyone obfuscates their agency and blames the other for causing climate change effects. This paper examines the discourse of climate change among scientists, government officials, and the non-scientific Tanzanian stakeholders on climate change and adaptation strategies after the 2019-2020 effects. These actors obfuscate responsibilities and attribute blame on the other for accelerating climate change effects. This paper examines how these attributions contribute to enhancing resilience and adaptation strategies. The paper was theoretically guided by the divided subject and positioning theories. Data for this paper were gathered from YouTube covering the subject. The results suggest that while none of the actors accepts responsibility for accelerating climate change; “what is happening and what should be done” gradually turn into “who is responsible for the mess”. Divisive discourse like this is likely to keep Tanzania wobbling to create a resilient society to confront the challenges of climate change. The paper raises the need for the facilitation of a better communication between climate change science and the non-scientific audience.

How do individual-level factors influence the adoption of low-carbon technology? Proposing and validating the bioeconomy technology acceptance model in the context of Africa

The bioeconomy seeks to efficiently transform biomaterials into value-added products to achieve circularity. A circular bioeconomy is a circular carbon economy based on bio-based resources. There is a dearth of information in the literature about how psychological factors affect public acceptance of the bioeconomy, especially in Africa, where the adoption of bioeconomy is scant. Addressing this gap, this study characterized bioeconomy as a low-carbon bio-based technological innovation to combat climate change and developed the Bioeconomy Technology Acceptance Model (BTAM) to explain the effects of individual-level factors on public acceptance of bioeconomy and investigated it in a survey (N = 465) using questionnaires that were carried out in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2022. The respondents were chosen by proportional stratified random sampling, and descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data obtained. The strong influence of perceived usefulness from bioeconomy and intention to accept bioeconomy in BTAM suggests that the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is suitable for predicting public acceptance of bioeconomy. Considering the strong influence of belief about climate change on the perceived usefulness of bioeconomy and intention to accept it in this study, it is imperative to promote climate change education among Africans to accelerate acceptance of bioeconomy on the continent. The identified psychological factors provide a reference for scholars, policymakers, and manufacturers to effectively develop individual-oriented intervention strategies and promotion schemes to enhance acceptance of bioeconomy in Africa in particular and other climes where there is not yet widespread acceptance of circular bioeconomy.