Twelfth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

Research on climate change shows the relevance of this phenomenon and its diverse consequences. From this recognition, it is possible to develop decision making processes to cope with it. The design of socioenvironmental policies requires the commitment of the population as a whole in the definition of actions to minimize impacts of climate change on the health of people, production systems, and ecosystems. Within this framework, we understand as vulnerability the low preparation levels of countries to cope with the negative impacts of climate change. Vulnerability is related with high exposure to climate change effects, as well as high sensitivity to its impacts and low adaptation capability to cope with them. In this context, we uphold the hypothesis that vulnerability levels of countries to climate change are correlated to the populations capabilities to perceive this phenomenon and to promote it as a relevant issue into the public agenda. To prove this correlation, we will analyze the variables of climate change perception of Latinobarometro study and the ND-GAIN Country Index results on its vulnerability dimension. Through a multivariate statistical analysis, we will present a cluster of Latin American countries based on their behavior in different indicators of the ND-GAIN Country Index. From these analyses, we will problematize the results of Latinobarometro indicators directly related to climate change perception. We will conclude with the identification of intervention necessities focalized on strengthening the adaptation capabilities on countries reflected on this cluster, visualizing the development of differentiated policies for countries on this region.