Diverse Perceptions of Climate Change on Different Populations
Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining: Innovation Adoption Driven by Climate Change
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Chiara Perelli, Giacomo Branca, Luca Cacchiarelli
Climate change is widely recognized as the most important global environmental problem (Pachauri et al., 2014). Its effects directly translate into additional risks for smallholders’ food security in developing countries, which are particularly vulnerable due to their geographical and climatic conditions, weak capacities in reacting to environmental shocks and strong dependence on agriculture (Merts et al., 2009). Such threats can be reduced through a paradigm shift towards Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) systems, an innovative approach that relies on natural, social and human assets and the use of available technologies and inputs to simultaneously raising yields and production efficiency while minimizing or eliminating risks (Petersen and Snapp, 2015; Pretty et al., 2011). Using an econometric approach, the study empirically assesses factors affecting diffusion of SAI adoption in four countries of South-East Africa. A fractional regression model is estimated. The dependent variable is a novel indicator of famers’ innovation propensity, while explanatory variables concern farming systems, policy environment, institutions, value chain and climate change-related indexes. The use of an innovation index as part of a cross-country analysis represents an original aspect of the research. Preliminary results show households’ innovation propensity is affected by increased temperatures and erratic rainfalls. Socio-economic, institutional factors (e.g.; HHs characteristics, extension services access, and market orientation) and national-settings also are determinants of adoption. Appropriate policy actions should be designed to support extension services and strengthen their capacity to reach the smallholders, although it is fundamental to take in consideration socio-demographic and national contexts where SAI systems are promoted.
Changing Perceptions of Climate Science Along the Mississippi
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Julie Cwikla
The southern United States, the Gulf Coast, and the state of Mississippi specifically have fallen victim to recent devastating hurricanes and severe flooding. Despite scientific evidence about climate change, the public’s view of climate science is highly variable in the United States. We’ve designed an interdisciplinary immersion program for middle grades students blending science, history, and art to learn about climate science in the region. In addition to their in-school time, they will be conducting field experiments in their home communities, sharing these data with local stake holders and political officials, and scientists from the University will host science forums and discussions in towns along the Mississippi River. The program aims to change public perception and beliefs about climate science, build a cadre of young citizen scientists, and equip river communities with ways they can make a positive impact.
Investigating Composting as a Mitigation Strategy for Climate Change Using a Modeling Approach
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Chandradeo Bokhoree, Preeya Ramasamy Coolen, Gholam Jamnejad, Toshima Makoondlall-Chadee
As a signatory member of the Paris Agreement, Mauritius has committed itself to mitigate climate change by decreasing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Among the major contributing sectors, the waste management sector accounts for 19% of greenhouse gases produced by the island, behind the energy sector which contributes about 77%. Though the latter warrants much effort to reduce its contributing GHG emissions, the waste management sector also requires significant mitigating measures to reduce its impact. The main greenhouse gas produced from the waste sector is methane since currently most of the waste generated on the island is disposed in a landfill. Among the different alternate waste management scenarios proposed, composting of organic waste is one of the best strategies to achieve carbon reductions in the sector. However, this target can only be achieved if the composting process is properly controlled. Objectively, an inducive distributed computational model is developed and presented in this paper, which analyses the set of variation parameters to achieve greatest reduction in methane through optimal composting. The composting matrix was modelled as a two-phase porous medium with mass degradation occurring in the solid phase. Mass balance equations for each phase were derived and were coupled with heat transport equations and reaction kinetics equations. The optimal set of parameters for efficient composting of yard waste and vegetable waste were determined using the model. The simulations demonstrated that bulking of vegetable waste prior to composting is required to prevent production of methane.
Effects of Climate Change Education on University Students in South-Western Nigeria
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Abiola Ojo
Many diseases and health problems that may be exacerbated by climate change can be effectively prevented with adequate human response, prevention, and control. Every individual has the ability to ensure that the environment is sustained but awareness and education is the first step to achieving this. Several studies conducted among undergraduates in Nigeria, a group expected to champion the course of environmentalism, have constantly indicated a low knowledge level on climate change issues. For this study, a pretest-posttest, control group quasi-experimental design was adopted. Using a multistage sampling technique, 261 participants were selected from three federal universities in South-western Nigeria. Both WHO and UNESCO developed climate change training manuals were adapted and used for the intervention program. Experimental group one was treated with the Climate Change Education package while the control group was exposed to a different training program for 10 weeks. The instrument used was Knowledge on Global Warming Health Consequences Scale (r=0.86). Data were analyzed using ANCOVA and Scheffe posthoc analysis. Results revealed that the treatment had a significant main effect on participants’ knowledge of health consequences (F(2,260)=40.622; p<.05). Based on the findings of the study, a relationship between education and actions was established; indicating that education is most likely to result in behavior change. The study established that climate change education is necessary to promote positive environmental health behaviors. The study recommended the inclusion of a carefully planned environmental health/climate change education in the Nigerian university curriculum for all undergraduates.
