Eleventh International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century and it call for action at all levels. Adaptation enhances the resilience, whereas mitigation minimizes the anthropogenic forces of climate change; are crucial initiatives for a climate resilient sustainable development. A descriptive study was done among 618 school teachers in three educational zones of Kalutara district using random cluster sampling. Cluster units were defined as Type1AB and Type 1C schools and 25 clusters were selected from 106 cluster units randomly. Self-administered questionnaire including twenty five equally weighted questions to assess knowledge and ten statements to assess attitudes was used. The response rate was 98.8% [n=618] and more than 95% of the study population agreed that the global warming is happening. It was revealed that 23% of the study population had poor knowledge in climate change adaptation and mitigation at individual level. Satisfactory knowledge was observed among 54.7% of the participants. Favorable attitudes were observed among more than 65% of participants for all the statements. Average family income, working duration, involvement in school environmental societies and highest education qualification showed significant positive association whereas age and current grade had a significant negative association with good knowledge. Level of knowledge had no significant variation among male and female teachers. Overall knowledge on was poor among more than 20% of the teachers highlighting the need of awareness programs. Further qualitative studies are recommended to describe multidimensional factors associated with individual level climate change adaptation and mitigation activities to implement targeted intervention.