A Study on Public Understanding, Attitude and Level of Awareness on

Climate Change in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract
Climate change is a complex problem without clear scientific and political solutions. It’s an
issue with major political, economic, socio-cultural, psychological, and ethical implications,
which must be understood by policy makers and wider society in order to respond effectively.
The aim of this thesis is to examine the determinants and dimensions of public understanding
of, response to climate change which could help to design effective public communication
strategies and workable mitigation policies. This study uses mixed methodology approach to
explore a variety of potentially salient influences on perception of and behavioural response
to climate change. A purposive random sampling procedure was used to select 172
representative samples from Dhaka city, Bangladesh. The results indicate that there is a solid
awareness and support for general environmental goals at local levels; an awareness and
concern for climate change but limited understanding of scientific causes, possible
consequences and solutions to the problem ; considerable perceived threat from climate
change although it is not a “front burner” issue compare to other socio-economic and
environmental issues. This thesis attempts to make some tentative recommendations on how
community perceptions of climate change can be used by policy makers in the Bangladesh.