Climate Change: Perceptions and the Determinants

Abstract

The community perceptions are compared with the actual trends of temperature and rainfall recorded in the nearest meteorological stations. Spatial clustering of those perceptions is tested using Global Moran's I test. A probit model is used to analyze the characteristics that differentiate the respondents who correctly perceive the changes from those who do not. Access to information and extension services facilitate perceptions of temperature and rainfall changes. Cultivation of cash crops also facilitates perceptions of rainfall. On the other hand, formal education and engagement in non-farm income sources reduce the ability to perceive the changes. In the case of temperature, farming experience alone is not sufficient to perceive the ongoing changes. Priority must be placed on the dissemination of relevant information to the community and updating the educational curriculum.