Professional Documents
Culture Documents
FINAL DRAFT
June 2003
Khulna, Bangladesh.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
LIST OF TABLES 29
REFERENCES 36
LIST OF TABLES
Page No.
Table 1: Distribution of Interviews by Study Area, Study Population and Gender 29
LIST OF FIGURES
Page No.
Figure 01: Explanatory Model of Interactions of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior 13
ACROMYMS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This report presents the results of a baseline study of the awareness-raising program of
Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project in Bangladesh, implemented by
CARE Bangladesh with the financial assistance of Canadian International Development
Agency (CIDA).
This report has been edited by Claudia Schaerer (Project Coordinator, RVCC Project, CARE
Bangladesh), Arifa S. Sharmin (External Relations Manager, CARE Bangladesh), Rob
Koudstaal (Team Leader, ICZMP and Technical Advisor to the RVCC Project), who have
provided their valuable comments and corrections to the report.
The contribution of Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded the RVCC
Project and subsequently made this study possible.
Last but not least, UP members, CBO members, NGO staff, journalists, school teachers,
students, other key informants and villagers, who were interviewed for the study, are
gratefully acknowledged.
A. K. M. Mamunur Rashid
Project Development Officer-Human Rights, RVCC Project
Team leader
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior (KAB) Study on climate change issues was
conducted to set a baseline for awareness activities. Objectives of the study were to:
understand the existing knowledge level of the inhabitants of the Southwest Region in
Bangladesh about climate change and its impacts; explore the knowledge and pattern of
people’s responses towards adverse environmental conditions; and, identify sources of
people’s environmental knowledge.
The study was carried out in six districts of southwest Bangladesh: Satkhira, Khulna,
Bagerhat, Gopalganj, Narail, and Jessore (Figure-2). A purposively selected number (294) of
respondents were approached in the study for individual interviews and a total of 24 FGDs
were conducted. The study started on 20th August 2002 with field testing of the interview
schedule.
The study revealed that on average, 13% of respondents have unprompted knowledge on
effects of climate change. After prompting 61% showed knowledge about climate change
effects. On the other hand, 27% people have no knowledge regarding climate change
effects, even after being prompted.
Effects of climate change most known by respondents without prompting were flooding (28%
female and 25% male), water and vector borne diseases (25% female and 25% male),
effects on agricultural productivity (28% female and 20% male), increase of global
temperature (21% female and 24% male), and increase in water logged areas (20% female
and 20% male); as respondents gave these responses without any prompting in more than
20% of cases.
The study revealed that respondents’ main sources of knowledge on climate change effects
were their own experiences/observations (74%). Other significant sources were
books/magazines (6%), newspapers (5%), television (3%), radio (2%), teachers (2%), other
educated persons (2%), and NGOs (1%). 4% of the respondents did not mention any
source. When gender was considered, own observations and husbands were found main
sources of females’ knowledge. Newspaper (1%) and books/magazines (0%) were the least
important source of their knowledge. In FGDs, female participants opined that their
husbands and other male members were their main source of outsider knowledge.
Unprompted adaptation strategies revealed a very significant picture that respondents think
immediately about livelihood accommodation or adjustments after experiencing very adverse
environmental or climatic hazards. Without prompting, 48% of the respondents, responded
that they will migrate, 22% responded that they have to change their occupation, 18%
wanted to sell their labor, 15% wanted to involve in income generating activities more than
they did previously, 11% expected relief from government and non-government agencies
and 10% were interested to take loan to lead their life as an immediate option.
People’s understanding about causes of climate change was explored from the perspectives
of students, school teachers, NGO staff and journalists. The total respondents for this search
were 126. The study revealed that respondents understood the causes of climate change
which they have experienced in their life. Respondents were found to have better
unprompted knowledge about the following causes: emission of different types of gases from
industries (45%), massive use of pesticides in agricultural sector (31%) and deforestation
(69%) than atomic and nuclear power testing (9%), overuse of radioactive matter (10%),
huge use of fossil fuel (14%), harmful industries in developed countries (5%) and over-
consumption and excessive profit-oriented economic system (2%).
Knowledge Attitude and Behavior (KAB) is a qualitative and quantitative research tool intended to
measure the unprompted and prompted knowledge, actual behavior, and covert attitudes of the
target audience on specific issues. The most common tools and methods used are
questionnaires, interviews, discussions and checklists for assessing knowledge; cross-
referenced interviews, case studies, key-informant interviews, checklists, and questionnaires for
assessing attitudes; and checklists, observation and interviews for assessing behavior.
The communication and advocacy component of the RVCC project has several communication
objectives, which include:
• To increase local capacity to understand, use and disseminate climate change information
• To increase capacity of partners to collect and disseminate information related to climate
change
• To increase capacity of local institutions (e.g. civil society organizations, Community Based
Organizations (CBO), Union Parishads (UP), Community Leaders, etc.) to advocate on
climate change.
The KAB assessment tool is being used by the RVCC Project to assess changes over the life of
the project in knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of the target audience around the theme of
climate change. The RVCC Project seeks behavioral change among project participants or
other stakeholders in all project strategies. The desired behavioral change is reflected in the
outcome level of the logical framework1. To achieve behavioral change often requires creating
awareness or knowledge and/or changing attitudes. The tool that is most often used to assess
changes in knowledge, attitudes and behavior, especially in the health sector with social
marketing programs, is a KAB Assessment.
1
Outcome 3 of RVCC Project Logframe reflects the following statement: ”local partners demonstrate
increased capacity to collect and disseminate information related to climate change, and to advocate with
the government on climate change” (RVCC Project Implementation Plan, p.23) and in output-4 of the
logical framework reflects following statement: “1 million people living in the southwest have been
exposed to climate change messages in awareness campaigns implemented by local partners” (RVCC
Project Implementation Plan, p.24)
At the beginning of the project, a baseline KAB assessment was conducted to obtain information
from participants on current levels of knowledge about climate change, attitudes towards climate
change and behavior related to climate change. Near the end of the project life (early 2005), the
assessment will be replicated and information compared to the baseline to be able to identify
changes that have occurred. These changes will be analyzed to determine whether they can be
attributed to project activities.
During the KAB assessment, a series of questions were asked, combining spontaneous recall and
prompting procedures. The KAB assessment not only investigated existing knowledge about the
climate change and related issues but also investigated any differences between knowledge and
practice, which may be caused by attitude. RVCC Project will use the KAB study as a baseline to
provide an assessment of initial levels of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices in the rural
communities. The KAB Study also provides a solid background for developing messages,
identifying appropriate media for use in the project’s awareness campaign strategy, advocacy
direction, and program planning.
Rural people may not be familiar with the term climate change, but they are very familiar with its
consequences. People in the south-west region of Bangladesh, namely Khulna, Satkhira,
Bagerhat, Gopalganj, Narail and Jessore Districts, are facing numerous environmental problems, a
great many of which will be exacerbated due to climate change and accelerated by human
interventions. The changing nature of the climate is now a well-proven fact. The RVCC Project
conducted a vulnerability assessment in May 2002 and October 2002 in two phases. In May 2002,
project staff, assisted by a group of NGOs selected by project staff, conducted a first perception
survey with 19 focus groups in 13 villages. In October-November 2002, partner NGOs of the
RVCC Project conducted a second survey with 52 focus groups in 44 villages. This was later
complemented by an additional 7 focus groups conducted within the same 44 villages in January
2003 (RVCC Project, 2003; p.4). From the first assessment report, 13 major environmental
problems or vulnerability contexts were identified that people are facing. These are: flood, water-
logging, river erosion, drought, siltation, salinity, tidal surge, wind/storm, cyclone, heavy rainfall,
scarcity of potable water, water and vector borne diseases, and loss of bio-diversity. These
vulnerability contexts are affecting their livelihoods or well-being; i.e., income, food, housing,
health, clothing, education, communication/transportation, social security, female mobility,
recreation, drinking water, trees, livestock, time for recreation, electricity, furniture, nutrition, access
to irrigation and employment (RVCC Project, 2003; annex 6). Therefore, there may be reason to
believe that people have partial understanding about their sufferings, but do not fully understand
the causes of such sufferings. This explanation might not be correct, as the project does not have
any information in this regard. An in-depth investigation of knowledge, attitudes, and behavior
related to climate change was required in order for the project to develop and promote
interventions that are relevant to local people.
1.3.1 Attitude
Attitude is a personal characteristic. Persons in every culture develop attitudes about significant
persons, groups and objects in their world. These attitudes influence social relationships in many
important ways. Attitude is a generalized feeling, positive or negative, toward persons or things in
our world. An attitude is the result of an evaluative belief that the person has about the object. An
evaluative belief includes an evaluative concept, which is relative and changeable.
Attitude is not a thing with which man is born, through socialization or enculturation process, man
ascribes it from the individual, family and community. Attitude can change with the acculturation
process in which humans with the help of new information and interaction can achieve new and
different attitudes. As individuals grow up in a society, they acquire a large number of evaluative
concepts. They learn that some things are good, desirable, worthwhile, preferable, and so on,
whereas other things are judged to be bad, undesirable, worthless and the like.
Attitudes are a consequence of the beliefs that persons have about the object. Beliefs have at
least two dimensions that are important for attitudes: the strength of the belief and the quality of the
evaluative concept embedded in the belief.
First, it is necessary to determine that attitude and behavior are related; however, an attitude
cannot be expected to relate to all kinds of behavior. Second, both the attitude and behavior must
be measured with reliable and valid instruments. And, finally, it must be shown that strong
determinants of counter attitudinal behavior are not present. Only investigations that meet these
criteria can be accepted as evidence concerning the relation of attitude to behavior.
1.3.4 Knowledge
Knowledge is a covert category of cultural elements, which is expressed semantically, and is
understandable by interpreting language (verbal and non-verbal). Therefore, knowledge is
interpreted as a “sum of relationships of meanings that people create in their minds from available
information, their experience, their feelings, and their ideas.” (Ferreira, 2002, p.2). Knowledge is
also interpreted as “a dynamic process of justification of beliefs, or of hypotheses on relationship
and causality, through experimental verification” (Ferreira, 2002, p.2). Knowledge is a type of
strong belief, arising from interpretation of the objective reality, through rigorous brainstorming and
by building a logical perception, seemingly based on truth and valid for a certain period. Scientists
define knowledge as a valid statement or realization that is developed through a scientific process
and consciousness, from observation or scientific interpretation.
Knowledge could be tacit or explicit. Tacit knowledge emerges from experiences and is not
formalized in a person’s mind, therefore is not transmitted in visible form. On the other hand,
explicit knowledge is formalized and recorded in a physical medium (Ferreira, 2002).
Figure 1 below illustrates the interactions among Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior.
Attitude
changes slowly
Attitudes
over time by
changing
Behavior INFLUENCE reality,
Practice interpretation
Perceived
Knowledge and perceived
knowledge
Attitudes
Fact/
Reality
In the model, there are four circles. The outer circle describes the objective reality or
prevailing fact. The next circle describes perceived knowledge that is a result of the
interpretation of the objective reality or fact. The third circle describes the attitudes that
develop primarily from perceived knowledge through internalization of the reality, resulting in
a set of evaluative concepts. The fourth and innermost circle describes the behavior or
practice corresponding with the attitudes built from the perceived knowledge through the
interpretation of the fact or objective reality. The inner circle is the only observable part of the
model. It is explicit and overt whereas the other circles are not observable because they are
implicit and covert in nature.
• understand the existing knowledge level of the inhabitants of the Southwest Region in
Bangladesh about climate change and its impacts,
• explore the knowledge and pattern of people’s responses towards adverse
environmental conditions, and
• identify sources of people’s environmental knowledge.
This study report describes the methodology used in the study (Chapter Two). In Chapter
Three, general background of the people is presented followed by knowledge on climate
change effects, people’s sources of climate change knowledge, strength of belief on the
knowledge people have regarding the effect of climate change, adaptation strategies of
people in facing climate change effects, knowledge about causes of climate change and
media behavior of people. Conclusions and recommendations for further research are
included in Chapter Four.
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
2
The majority of the project’s activities will be implemented by local organizations (NGOs/ CBOs/
Research Organizations). These organizations have signed Memorandums of Understanding with the
RVCC Project and subsequently are the partners of the RVCC Project.
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
The selection of respondents from each category was done randomly. First, considering the
time constraint facing the project, it was decided that the KAB survey needed to be
completed within 2-3 months. After the determination of total sample size of 302, the total
sample was divided into types of study population. Considering the number of project and
partner staff available to work on the KAB survey the sample size was decided purposively.
Weight was given to the villagers, and then to the students and teachers. This prioritization
was based on a popular estimation of the size of universe of the category of respondents.
The total number of samples in each category of respondents was again distributed equally
over the six districts. The exact sample from each category of respondent from each district
was determined using a stratified random sampling method. The process of selecting
respondents randomly is as follows.
The study team first randomly selected a Upazila4 from one district by putting the names of
all Upazilas on separate pieces of paper, placing the papers into a box and through lottery
picking one. From the selected Upazila, data collector(s) chose one Union by lottery and
interviewed UP members from that chosen Union Parishad available in their office. From the
chosen Union, interviewers’ selected one village from the UP members suggested 10
possible villages by lottery and interviewed 20 villagers who meet first randomly. In case of
NGOs, the team first made a list of NGOs in the Upazila, and then selected 2 to 3 randomly.
3
For details please refer to Table 1
4
The Upazila(s) were also listed based on the working area of partner organizations.
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
In the selected NGOs, the staff (respondent) was selected again randomly (by lottery). In
case of CBOs, the team rapidly listed a number of CBOs from the Upazila and then
randomly selected (by lottery) the respondents from those listed CBOs. In the selection of
school teachers and students, study team listed the secondary schools in the Upazila, and
then selected two schools from the listed schools by lottery. For students, the team selected
one class randomly by lottery, and again selected five students using systematic random
sampling method by roll number; and 2-3 teachers were selected randomly by lottery from
one school. Journalists were selected randomly from available journalists in the Upazila
Press Club when the team went for interview. (Table 1)
The data was collected from primary sources. Primary data was collected from the
mentioned study population.
Two research tools were used in the study: questionnaire and FGD guidelines.
Development of Questionnaire:
In May 2002, the RVCC Project conducted a vulnerability assessment in the southwest
region of Bangladesh through 19 FGDs in 13 communities. In that assessment 21
vulnerability contexts are revealed that are related to climate change. A great many
adaptation strategies or coping mechanisms were also identified by the participants. The
climate change impacts and subsequent adaptation strategies were therefore taken from the
interim report of the vulnerability assessment (RVCC, 2002). A draft questionnaire was
prepared on the basis of these climate change impacts and adaptation/coping mechanisms.
The causes of climate change in the draft questionnaire were selected from among the
causes of climate change as identified by the staff of RVCC’s Advocacy Unit. Three sets of
questionnaires were prepared for conducting the KAB study: one for villagers, CBO
members and UP members; one for students; and one for secondary school teachers, NGO
staff and journalists. Questions related to causes of climate change were not asked for the
villagers, CBO members and UP members as the field test revealed that this is far beyond
their ability to answer. RVCC Project staff field-tested the questionnaire in three locations
with all categories of informants. After the field test, the team sat together and prepared a
final draft for internal review. CARE Bangladesh’s External Relations Manager and the
Project Coordinator of RVCC Project reviewed the final draft. The data collectors further
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
tested the final draft questionnaires in the field before finalizing the questionnaires and
printing for data collection.
Similar to the questionnaires three sets of FGD guidelines were prepared. These three draft
FGD guidelines were also field tested by RVCC and partner NGO staff and reviewed by PC-
RVCC and External Relations Manager of CARE Bangladesh before FGD guidelines were
finalized.
In the communication strategy workshop of RVCC Project held in August 2002, it was
decided that a KAB study would be conducted to assess the current knowledge level of
primary, secondary and tertiary audience of RVCC Project’s awareness and advocacy
activities. It was also planned that the study results will be used as a baseline of the activities
of the awareness program of RVCC Project. Therefore, data collection was done by three
partner organizations: Coastal Development Partnership (CDP), RUPANTAR and
UTTARAN. Two staff from each of the three organizations comprised the data collection
team, headed by the RVCC Project’s PDO-Human Rights. Data analysis and report writing
were the responsibilities of the PDO-Human Rights.
Team Leader
A.K.M. Mamunur Rashid, Project Development Officer (PDO), RVCC Project, CARE Bangladesh;
Members
Quazi A.Z.M. Kudrat-e-Kabir, Advocacy Coordinator, RVCC Project, CARE Bangladesh
Bikash Shingha Sutradhar, Project Development Officer, RVCC Project, CARE Bangladesh
Md. Mizanur Rahman, Project Development Officer, RVCC Project, CARE Bangladesh
Marina Juthi, Publication In-charge, Coastal Development Partnership (CDP)
Shyamole Sutar, Training Centre In-charge, Coastal Development Partnership (CDP)
Md. Monirul Mamun, Project Officer (Environment), UTTARAN
Md. Moniruzzaman, Project Officer (Monitoring and Evaluation), UTTARAN
Chandana Mandol, Pot Educator, RUPANTAR
Humayun Kabir Munna, Pot Educator, RUPANTAR
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
2.7.1 Interview
Interviews were conducted on an individual basis (please see the interview schedule5 in
Annex 01). The interview schedule provided a basic guideline for data collection, with scope
to accommodate new information not specifically covered by the interview schedule. A total
of 294 individual interviews were conducted in the study.
After completion of the individual interviews, data were edited and inputted to a SPSS
(Windows based SPSS 10.0 version) spreadsheet for analysis. Three separate
spreadsheets were made to input the three types of questionnaires. At the end of data entry
and recheck, a compiled spreadsheet was made, combining similar questions from the 3
questionnaires for analysis of all 294 questionnaires. Knowledge on climate change effects
and related strength of belief, sources of knowledge, knowledge on adaptation, and general
5
Interview schedule refers to a questionnaire that is applied verbally ex. interviewer verbally asks
questions to respondent.
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
understanding on climate and weather were the questions which were similar for all
respondents: these were analyzed by categories and gender of respondents. FGD data were
analyzed manually. A supplementary report of this KAB study is produced with title "A Study
on Media Use Behavior of People of Southwest Bangladesh" contains analysis of media
related questions-answer (data) of the study.
Data were collected in two phases; in the first phase data collectors covered Satkhira,
Khulna and Jessore Districts. At the end of the first round of data collection, a review
workshop with the full team was held. Taking into consideration the experiences of the first
round, the second round of data collection covered Bagerhat, Gopalgang and Narail
Districts.
The draft report was reviewed by the Project Coordinator-RVCC and brought to the
workshop held on 26th April 2003. Comments of the participants in the workshop were
incorporated in the report.
In the study planning we planned to interview 6 Deputy Commissioners (DC) and 2 policy
makers but we conducted only 2 DC interviews due to time constraints. This is a limitation of
the study.
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
The KAB study was carried out to understand the current knowledge level of causes and
effects of climate change and adaptation strategies to cope with adverse conditions due to
climate change. The study also explored the sources of people’s knowledge and the media
use pattern of different primary stakeholders of the RVCC Project. A very brief background
of the respondents is pertinent to cite before presenting a detailed discussion about the
knowledge level of the study population.
In relation to the educational background of the respondents, 23% of females and 31% of
males have completed primary school (5 years education), 20% of females and 21% of
males cannot write or read, 23% of females and 12% of males can write or read, 21% of
females and 24% of males have completed Secondary School Certificate (SSC), 3% of
females and 4% of males have completed Higher Secondary school Certificate (HSC), 5% of
females and 2% of males did not complete SSC, 3% of females and 1% of males had
graduated and 2% of females and 5% of males had a post graduation.
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
increase of drought (2% female and 10% male) and increase of cyclone and storm (7%
female and 16% male) (Table 3).
Fig.3: Range of Difference between Males and Females Unprompted Knowledge on Effects
More than 5% difference Less than 5% difference No difference (0%-1%)
Effect of climate change + Effect of climate change + Effect of climate change
Agricultural productivity will be F Increase of flood (3%) F Increase of pests and insects
reduced (8%)
Increase of river erosion (6%) F Inundation of coastal areas in 30-50 F Increase of water logging
years (2%)
Disruption of communication (4%) F Increase of water and vector
borne diseases
Increase of sea water level (2%) F
Extinction of SRF (2%) F
Bio-diversity will be affected (2%) F
Rivers are being silted (6%) M Increase of salinity (2%) M
Increase of drought (8%) M Increase of global warming (3%) M
Increase of cyclone and storm M Increase of rainfall (2%) M
(9%)
When category of respondents was considered, it was revealed that villagers have a lower
level of unprompted knowledge and UP members have a higher level of unprompted
knowledge on climate change effect than other categories of respondents (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Analysis of 20% and above unprompted responses on climate change effects by
category of respondents
Effects of Climate Change Villagers UP CBO Students NGO School Journalist
Members Members Staff Teachers s
Increase of Salinity
Increase of Global warming 39% 27% 20% 33% 43% 33%
Increase of Sea water level
Rivers are being silted 22% 23% 20% 22% 20% 39%
Increase of Rain fall 22% 23% 20% 22% 30%
Inundation of most of the coastal areas
in 30 years
Water logging is increasing 22% 28% 27% 28%
Increase of Pests and insects 22%
Increase of water and vector borne 28% 39% 27% 20% 50%
diseases
Extinction of Sundarbans
Disruption of communications
Agricultural productivity will be reduced 20% 27% 23% 39% 20% 44%
Bio-diversity will be affected by climate
change
River erosion will increase
Increase of Drought
Increase of Cyclone and storm 23%
Increase of Flood 22% 30% 22% 40%
If we analyse the findings of climate change effect, we find that the main climate change fact
“sea-level rise” is unknown to the respondents. There is close linkage with sea-level rise,
increase of salinity, extinction of Sundarbans and inundation of coastal areas within 30
22
Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
years. Respondents’ revealed unprompted knowledge about sea-level rise (4%), increase of
salinity (25), extinction of Sundarbans (4%) and inundation of coastal areas within 30 years
(3%) also showed a linkage among these effects (Chart 1).
Water logging and siltation have close linkages. Therefore, it was expected that level of
responses for these two effects would be close, and in fact 19% respondents had
unprompted knowledge about siltation and 20% had unprompted knowledge about water
logging (Chart 1).
Change in rainfall pattern and increase of drought are interlinked but study findings showed
variance between unprompted knowledge about these two effects (17% respondents had
unprompted knowledge about change in rainfall pattern whereas only 7% respondents had
unprompted knowledge about increase of drought). It reflects that respondents failed to
connect the two things (Chart 1).
Increase of flood is closely linked with interruption of communication6. Study findings showed
highest (26%) unprompted knowledge about increase of flood but lower (5%) unprompted
knowledge about interruption of communication. It reflects that respondents failed to connect
the relationship among two things (Chart 1).
When gender is considered we find that no significant knowledge differences are found
among male and female regarding effects of climate change (Chart 2, 3 and 4).
Adaptation strategies that identified without prompting reveal a very interesting picture of two
aspects: how they are currently thinking or adapting with current effects and what will they
do (practice) in future effects (based on theoretical hypothesis) of climate change. Without
prompting, 48% of the respondents stated that they will migrate, 22% responded that they
would have to change their occupation, 18% would increase selling household labor, 15%
wanted to be more involved in income generating activities than they were previously, 11%
6
This could also be due to storm/cyclone.
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
expected relief from government and non-government agencies and 10% were interested to
take a loan as an immediate option (Table 7 and Chart 5).
After prompting, 79% responded that taking a loan is the immediate option to cope, 77%
thought to sell household resources including land, 74% thought to cultivate new variety of
paddy, and 66% thought to sell labour. The study revealed that even after prompting,
respondents were thinking about immediate solutions to climate change consequences
rather than long term adaptation. These responses also indicate that respondents have very
limited ability to cope with change. Rather than thinking long-term, people are focused on
how to cope on a day-to-day basis. Hydroponics (2% unprompted), cultivating water tolerant
rice varieties (1% unprompted), and cultivating saline tolerant rice varieties (1% unprompted)
were not as high priorities in the respondents’ adaptation strategy (Table 7 chart 5) as more
immediate, short-term strategies.
The study revealed that males preferred some adaptation strategies more than females, and
also some adaptation strategies were mentioned equally by both sexes. Cage-aquaculture,
occupation change, taking a loan, leasing out land and waiting for relief were females’
preferred adaptation strategies. Cultivation of deep-water variety, cultivation of saline water
variety, shrimp and fish Firming, selling of labor and depending on forest were preferred by
males (Table 7, Figure 5). On the other hand, no significant gender differences were
observed for cultivating new variety of paddy, hydroponics, migration, PL or fry collection,
selling resources, involvement in income generating activities, collecting rice or paddy as
loan and taking it as usual (Table 7 chart 6, 7 and 8 and Figure 5).
Figure 5: Range of Differences between Males and Females Unprompted Knowledge on
Adaptation Strategies
More than 5% difference Less than 5% difference No difference (0%-1%)
Adaptation/Coping Strategy + Adaptation/Coping Strategy + Adaptation/Coping Strategy
Cultivate new variety of paddy (9%) F Taking Loan (3%) F Hydroponics
Sale of resources like cattle and poultry (7%) F Leasing out land (2%) F Migration
Increase of selling labour (3%) F PL or fry collection
Wait for relief (2%) F
Involve in IGA (2%) F
Increase uses of natural forest/honey F
collection (2%)
Change of occupation (5%) M Cultivate deep water and saline tolerant M
varieties (2%)
Collect rice or paddy as loan (5%) M Take it as usual (4%) M
Prawn, Shrimp and Fish Farming (4%) M
Cage-Aquaculture (3%) M
Positive Adaptation/Coping Mechanism Seemingly Neutral Negative/Short-time Adaptation or Coping Mechanism
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
People’s understanding about causes of climate change was explored from the perspective
of students, school teachers, NGO staff and journalists. The total respondents were 126.
If the response pattern of respondents about causes of climate change was analyzed, it was
noted that respondents’ knowledge is heavily influenced by the general awareness about
deforestation. Respondents identified this cause much more than other causes (24% more
than next closest cause). Deforestation (69%), emission of gasses (45%), use of pesticides
25
Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
(31%) and loss of bio-diversity (13%) are generally observed by the people, and therefore,
the knowledge level about these causes became higher than unseen causes like excessive
profit oriented economic system (2%), harmful industries in developed countries, (5%)
atomic and nuclear power testing (9%) and overuse of radio active matter (10%).
Figure 7: Range of Difference between Males and Females Unprompted Knowledge on Causes
More than 10% difference Less than 10% difference No difference (0%-2%)
Causes of Climate Change + Causes of Climate Change + Causes of Climate Change
Use of pesticides in agricultural F Huge use of fossil fuel (9%) F Deforestation
sector (14%)
Loss of bio-diversity (9%) F Overuse of radioactive matter
Emission of different types of M Atomic and nuclear power testing and its M Harmful industries in the
gases from industries (14%) use (5%) developed countries
Over consumption and excessive profit- M
oriented economic system (4%)
When analysis of 25% and above unprompted responses on climate change causes by
category of respondents is done the results reflected that respondents are less aware about
causes pf climate change in international spectrum. The analysis is showed in the Figure 8.
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
CONCLUSIONS
The study results clearly reflect that respondents unprompted knowledge level about causes
of climate change, effects of climate change and adaptation to climate change effects is very
low overall. After prompting, respondents responded well in most cases but it could not
counted as valid knowledge regarding the issue. Sometime, without understanding,
respondents responded positively. The study provides baseline data about respondents
knowledge level regarding climate change causes and effects of climate change. It is
expected that at the end of the project, post-intervention data will indicate increased
awareness of the causes, effects and adaptation of climate change in comparison to the
baseline data: unknown percentages will be abolished, prompted percentages will be
reduced and unprompted percentages will increase significantly. If percentages of
unprompted and prompted responses increases and unknown percentages are abolished or
significantly reduced then the awareness activities of the project will have been successful.
The results of this study indicate that awareness activities of the project need to focus on:
sea level rise, increase of salinity, possibility of extinction of Sundarban and possibility of
inundation of coastal areas within 30-50 years, because of the extremely low level of
knowledge of these effects. The project should emphasis on villagers and students among
the categories of people in conducting awareness campaign. In gender perspective, women
villagers (generally all females) should be considered essentially focused beneficiary of
awareness campaign.
At the same time, the project needs to focus on long-term adaptation strategies such as
hydroponics, cultivation of new rice varieties, and involvement in IGAs in our awareness
campaign. Regarding causes of climate change, awareness raising activities should focus
on industrialization, radio-active matter, over-consumption and use of fossil fuel, causes that
are currently poorly known.
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
Table 1: Distribution of Interviews by Study Area, Study Population and Gender
Category of Respondents
District Upazila Union Villagers Students CBO Members UP Members School Teachers NGO Staff Journalists Total
M F M F M F M F M F M F M F M F
Islamkathi 1 1 0
Jatpur 1 1 2 0
Khalilnagar 1 1 0
Satkhira Tala
Magur Ghona 1 1 1 1
Tala 6 14 1 1 2 1 1 2 11 17
Tetulia 2 4 3 2 1 1 1 1 8 7
Haridhali 6 10 5 2 1 1 2 2 1 14 16
Khulna Paikgacha Kapilmuni 4 3 2 1 1 2 1 3 11 6
Raruli 2 2 0
Bahirdia Mansha 3 7 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 11 9
Fakirhat 4 2 1 1 3 10 1
Faltita 1 1 0
Bagerhat Fakirhat Mansha 3 1 1 2 3
Moubhog 1 3 1 3
Naldah 2 2 1 1 1 3 3
Sonakhali 1 1 0
Jalirpar 5 3 1 2 1 2 1 8 7
Kasalia 1 1 0
Moksudpur Moksudpur 4 0 4
Gopalganj
Nanirkher 2 4 4 6 4
Ragdhi 1 1 0
Sadar Satpar 1 3 7 1 3 2 1 9 9
Chanrimapur 1 0 1
Habkhali 8 9 2 3 3 1 1 15 12
Kurigram 1 1 0
Narail Narail Sadar Madhobpolli 1 1 0
Maizpara 2 3 2 2 1 1 3 11 3
Pourashava 1 1 0
Narail 1 1 2 3 1
Monirampur Mashimnagar 1 1 0
Mongol Kote 1 1 0
Haridaskatti 1 0 1
Keshobpur 1 1 2 3 1
Jessore
Keshobpur Nuton Mulgram 1 0 1
Pajia 4 1 1 1 5 2
Sufalakathi 5 3 1 1 1 8 3
Trimohini 5 7 4 6 1 10 13
Total 55 65 26 34 28 2 9 9 20 10 10 8 18 0 168 126
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
Table 2: Distribution of FGDs by District and Study Population.
Category of Study Population Satkhira Khulna Bagerhat Gopalgang Narail Jessore Total
Villagers 2 2 2 2 2 2 12
UP Members 1 1 1 1 1 5
School Students 1 1 1 1 1 5
CBO 1 1
Total 5 4 4 3 3 4 23
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
Table 4: Knowledge Status of Respondents on Climate Change Effects by Category
Category of Respondents
Villagers UP Members CBO Members Students NGO Staff School Teachers Journalists
Unprompted
Unprompted
Unprompted
Unprompted
Unprompted
Unprompted
Unprompted
Prompted
Prompted
Prompted
Prompted
Prompted
Prompted
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Effects of Climate
Prompted
Unknown
Change
n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n %
Increase of Salinity 1 1 64 53 55 46 12 67 6 33 19 63 11 37 2 3 36 60 37 22 12 67 3 33 2 7 21 70 7 23 1 6 14 78 3 17
Increase of Global
15 12 85 71 20 17 7 39 11 61 8 27 20 67 2 7 12 20 37 62 11 18 6 33 11 61 1 6 13 43 17 57 6 33 11 61 1 6
warming
Increase of Sea
1 1 58 48 61 51 1 6 10 56 7 39 1 3 20 67 9 30 5 8 34 57 21 35 13 72 5 28 4 13 21 70 5 17 1 6 15 83 2 11
water level
Rivers are being
16 13 87 72 17 14 4 22 13 72 1 6 7 23 22 73 1 3 12 20 35 58 13 22 4 22 12 67 2 11 6 20 21 70 3 10 7 39 9 50 2 11
silted
Increase of Rain fall 12 10 74 62 34 28 4 22 12 67 2 11 7 23 19 63 4 13 12 20 37 62 11 18 4 22 10 56 4 22 9 30 13 43 8 27 3 17 10 56 5 28
Inundation of most
of the coastal areas 56 47 64 53 1 6 9 50 8 44 18 60 12 40 26 43 34 57 1 6 13 72 4 22 5 17 21 70 4 13 1 6 12 67 5 28
in 30 years
Water logging is
22 18 47 39 51 42 4 22 7 39 7 39 5 17 16 53 9 30 11 18 31 52 18 30 5 28 9 50 4 22 8 27 17 47 8 27 5 28 8 44 5 28
increasing
Increase of Pests
8 7 97 81 15 12 4 22 9 50 5 28 2 7 20 67 8 27 6 10 41 68 13 22 1 6 12 67 5 28 2 7 23 77 5 17 2 11 12 67 4 22
and insects
Increase of water
and vector borne 33 28 70 58 17 14 7 39 4 22 7 39 8 27 16 53 6 20 12 20 32 53 16 27 2 11 12 67 4 22 3 10 19 63 8 27 9 50 7 39 2 11
diseases
Extinction of
2 2 49 41 69 58 7 39 11 61 22 73 8 27 3 5 33 55 24 40 2 11 15 83 1 6 2 7 23 77 5 17 2 11 12 67 4 22
Sundarbans
Disruption of
4 3 76 63 39 32 1 6 11 61 6 33 5 17 15 50 10 33 2 3 37 62 21 35 1 6 12 67 5 28 3 10 21 70 6 20 13 72 5 28
communications
Agricultural
productivity will 24 20 75 62 21 18 2 11 11 61 5 28 8 27 20 97 2 7 14 23 32 53 14 23 7 39 10 56 1 6 6 20 20 67 4 13 8 44 10 56
reduce
Biodiversity will be
affected by climate 5 4 83 69 32 27 1 6 8 44 9 50 3 10 19 63 8 27 2 3 36 60 22 37 2 11 12 67 4 22 2 7 24 88 4 13 3 17 12 67 3 17
change
River erosion will
10 8 73 61 37 31 1 6 11 61 6 33 1 3 19 63 10 33 8 13 33 55 19 37 2 11 13 72 3 17 5 17 16 53 9 30 1 6 11 61 6 33
increase
Increase of Drought 6 5 97 81 17 14 2 11 13 72 3 17 4 13 25 83 1 3 1 2 45 75 14 23 2 11 15 83 1 6 3 10 27 90 2 11 16 89
Increase of Cyclone
11 9 68 57 41 34 2 11 12 67 4 22 7 23 18 60 5 17 6 10 38 63 16 27 2 11 12 67 4 22 5 17 19 63 5 20 2 11 14 78 2 11
and storm
Increase of Flood 31 26 50 42 39 32 4 22 9 50 5 28 5 17 18 60 7 23 18 30 28 47 14 23 4 22 12 67 2 11 12 40 13 43 5 17 2 11 14 78 2 11
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
Table 5: Knowledge Sources of Respondents’ Unprompted and Prompted Knowledge by Gender
Female Male Total
Source of Knowledge
n % n % n %
Own observation/experience 1146 74 1585 74 2707 74
Radio 45 3 40 2 85 2
TV 53 3 52 2 104 3
Newspaper 42 3 127 6 169 5
Book/Magazine 54 4 170 8 224 6
Teacher 50 3 10 0 60 2
Relatives 25 2 2 0 27 1
Friend 5 0 5 0 10 0
Other educated person 26 2 28 1 54 2
NGO 28 2 13 1 41 1
Elderly people 12 1 16 1 28 1
Expert People 1 0 11 0 12 0
Others 6 0 1 0 7 0
Not mentioned 63 4 81 4 144 4
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
Table 7: Knowledge Status of Respondents on Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change Effects by Gender
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
Table 8: Knowledge Status of Respondents on Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change Effects by Category
Category of Respondents
Villagers UP Members CBO Members Students NGO Staff s School Teacher Journalists
Adaptation Strategy
Unprompted
Unprompted
Unprompted
Unprompted
Unprompted
Unprompted
Unprompted
Prompted
Prompted
Prompted
Prompted
Prompted
Prompted
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
/ Coping Mechanism
Prompted
Unknown
to Climate Change
Effects
n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n %
Hydroponics 3 2 54 45 53 52 8 44 10 56 1 3 20 67 9 30 3 5 30 50 27 45 12 67 6 33 16 53 14 47 10 56 8 44
Cultivate deep water
1 1 70 58 49 41 12 67 6 33 22 73 8 27 1 2 37 62 22 37 16 89 2 11 1 3 20 67 9 30 1 6 12 67 5 28
variety
Cultivate saline
1 1 42 35 77 64 9 50 9 50 16 53 14 47 26 43 34 57 9 50 9 50 2 7 16 53 12 40 1 6 10 56 7 39
tolerant variety
Cage aqua-culture 3 2 57 45 63 52 15 83 3 17 16 53 14 47 1 2 40 67 19 32 2 11 10 56 6 33 1 3 17 57 12 40 11 61 7 39
migration 57 48 50 42 13 11 12 67 4 22 2 11 13 43 9 30 8 27 26 43 23 38 11 18 8 44 9 50 1 6 14 47 13 43 3 10 10 56 7 39 1 6
Prawn, shrimp, fish
3 2 70 58 47 39 15 83 3 17 1 3 22 73 7 23 5 8 42 70 13 22 3 17 7 39 8 44 3 10 21 70 6 20 3 17 11 61 4 22
farming
Change of occupation 28 23 76 63 16 23 3 17 15 83 7 23 21 70 2 7 7 12 41 68 12 20 7 39 11 61 8 27 18 60 4 13 4 22 12 67 2 11
Take loan 13 11 95 79 12 10 2 11 15 83 1 6 3 10 22 73 5 17 3 5 47 78 10 17 3 17 13 72 2 11 3 10 25 83 2 7 3 17 14 78 1 6
Cultivate new variety
2 2 86 72 32 27 14 78 4 22 27 90 3 10 34 57 26 43 1 6 14 78 3 17 1 3 26 87 3 10 1 6 15 83 2 11
of paddy
Lease out land 7 6 85 71 28 23 2 11 10 56 6 33 21 70 9 30 2 3 35 58 23 38 12 67 6 33 2 7 19 63 9 30 1 6 12 67 5 28
PL or fry collection 1 1 51 42 68 57 1 6 6 33 11 61 12 40 18 60 1 2 32 53 27 45 8 44 10 56 1 3 18 60 11 37 9 50 9 50
Sell resources like
12 10 94 78 14 12 15 83 3 17 2 7 26 87 2 7 7 12 34 57 19 32 1 6 16 89 1 6 1 3 27 90 2 7 1 6 14 78 3 17
cattle or poultry
Sell labor 22 18 80 67 18 15 2 11 13 72 3 17 5 17 23 77 2 7 12 20 31 52 17 28 5 28 12 67 1 6 7 23 20 67 3 10 1 6 16 89 1 6
Wait for relief 11 9 83 69 26 22 4 22 12 67 2 11 3 10 17 57 10 33 7 12 35 58 18 30 2 11 12 67 4 22 4 13 17 57 9 30 1 6 14 78 3 17
Involve in IGAs 19 16 78 65 23 19 3 17 9 50 6 33 8 27 20 67 2 7 4 7 36 60 20 33 4 22 12 7 2 11 3 10 24 80 3 10 3 17 12 67 3 17
Fell forest/ Honey
2 2 45 38 73 61 2 11 7 39 9 50 2 7 12 40 16 53 6 10 20 33 34 57 1 6 4 22 13 72 4 13 13 43 13 43 10 56 8 44
collection
Take it as usual 11 9 76 63 33 28 11 61 7 39 3 10 10 33 17 57 28 47 32 53 2 11 9 50 7 39 2 7 12 40 16 53 3 17 9 50 6 33
Collect rice or 9 8 79 66 32 27 1 6 10 56 7 39 20 67 10 33 1 2 26 43 33 55 13 72 5 28 1 3 17 57 12 40 2 11 11 61 5 28
paddy as loan
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
REFERENCES
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
ANNEXURES
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
a b c d
Sample No.
Category of informants Category of informants code Sex code in box c Sl no of informants in box d
code in box a in box b
Description of informant
Name.................................................................. Age.................
Village: ....................................Union:................................Thana:.................................
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
Do you understand information given on weather (explanation of different weather alarm signals)?
Yes No
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
Code for strength of belief S= Strong Belief; M= Medium belief; W= Weak Belief
Code for source of knowledge 1= Own observation/experience; 2= Radio; 3= TV; 4= Newspaper; 5= Books/Papers; 6= Teachers; 7= Relatives; 8= Friends; 9= Other educated person;
10= NGOs; 11= Knowledgeable elderly; 12= Experts; 13= Other______________________ (please specify)
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
B. Knowledge on Adaptation
[Facilitator will informally discuss with the participants and try to extract the informant’s
unprompted knowledge on adaptation and will list them by tick ( ) marks in the unprompted
column. Then the facilitator will give some examples and references and will mark ( ) in the
next column of the prompted knowledge. The expected knowledge on adaptation which are not
mentioned after prompting, the facilitator will put ( ) marks against those in the last column.]
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
Description of informant
Name..............................................................Age................ Educational Qualification..................
Designation.................................................... Organization .........................................................
Village: ....................................Union:................................Thana:.................................
Have you ever thought of climate change issues due to your profession?
Yes No
Do you understand information given on weather (explanation of different weather alarm signals)?
Yes No
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
Code for strength of belief S= Strong Belief; M= Medium belief; W= Weak Belief
Code for source of knowledge 1= Own observation/experience; 2= Radio; 3= TV; 4= Newspaper; 5= Books/Papers; 6= Teachers; 7= Relatives; 8= Friends; 9= Other educated
person; 10= NGOs; 11= Knowledgeable elderly; 12= Experts; 13= Other______________________ (please specify)
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
B. Knowledge on Adaptation
[Facilitator will informally discuss with the participants and try to extract the informant’s
unprompted knowledge on adaptation and will list them by tick ( ) marks in the unprompted
column. Then the facilitator will give some examples and references and will mark ( ) in the
next column of the prompted knowledge. The expected knowledge on adaptation which are not
mentioned after prompting, the facilitator will put ( ) marks against those in the last column.]
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
C. Knowledge on Causes
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
Have you learnt anything related to weather or changing environment from your books or class lessons?
No Yes (please describe ...................................................................... .)
Media and Communication
How far do you visit commonly other than going to school (range of mobility)?
Market Haat Mosque Public meeting Football match Marriage ceremony
Group meeting Relatives house Tea Stall Local shop
Hospital Drama/Jatra/Pala song Watching TV in neighbour’s house
Media Use pattern
What do you do when you find some timeout from your study?
Radio Television Newspaper Games Talking with elders Play with friends
Do you use the following media? If yes, how? When?
Listening Radio Watching Television
Which time of the day?
Which programs?
Which day(s) of the week?
Newspaper Magazine
Which time of the day?
Which part/news?
Which day(s) of the week?
Kabi gan, Pala gan, Jatra/pot song Drama
In which season?
Where it is organised usually?
Which TV/Radio program do you like most?
Agricultural program Health related program Music Drama
Cinema Children’s program Other _______________
What types of leisure/communication materials do you have at your home?
Radio Television Newspaper No Applience Other___________
From where do you receive information on weather?
Radio Television Tea stall Local educated persons Others________
Do you understand information given on weather (explanation of different weather alarm signals)?
Yes No
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
Code for strength of belief S= Strong Belief; M= Medium belief; W= Weak Belief
Code for source of knowledge 1= Own observation/experience; 2= Radio; 3= TV; 4= Newspaper; 5= Books/Papers; 6= Teachers; 7= Relatives; 8= Friends; 9= Other educated
person; 10= NGOs; 11= Knowledgeable elderly; 12= Experts; 13= Other______________________ (please specify)
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
B. Knowledge on Adaptation
[Facilitator will informally discuss with the participants and try to extract the informant’s unprompted
knowledge on adaptation and will list them by tick ( ) marks in the unprompted column. Then the
facilitator will give some examples and references and will mark ( ) in the next column of the
prompted knowledge. The expected knowledge on adaptation which are not mentioned after
prompting, the facilitator will put ( ) marks against those in the last column.]
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
C. Knowledge on Causes
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
4. Please describe the environmental impacts of climate change from your own knowledge/idea
Note: Facilitator will initiate the discussion without giving any examples and records the findings (unprompted).
After that the facilitator will give some examples and references of climate change impacts and will records the
outputs (prompting)
5. Please describe your adaptation or coping strategies to climate change/current environmental conditions
Note: Facilitator will initiate the discussion without giving any examples and records the findings (non-prompting).
After that the facilitator will give some examples and references of climate change impacts and will records the
outputs (prompting). Facilitator will try to know everything in detail through asking-why and how. Try to get
specific examples.
Name of facilitator:
Date :
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
3. Please describe the climate change impacts from your own knowledge/idea
Note: Facilitator will initiate the discussion without giving any examples and records the findings (non-prompting).
After that the facilitator will give some examples and references of climate change impacts and will records the
outputs (prompting)
Note: Facilitator will initiate the discussion without giving any examples and records the findings (non-prompting).
After that the facilitator will give some examples and references of climate change impacts and will records the
outputs (prompting)
Name of facilitator:
Date :
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Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project
4. Please describe the environmental/climate change impacts based on your own knowledge
Note: Facilitator will initiate the discussion without giving any examples and records the findings (non-prompting).
After that the facilitator will give some examples and references of climate change impacts and will records the
outputs (prompting)
5. Please describe the adaptation or coping strategies with current environmental conditions
Note: Facilitator will initiate the discussion without giving any examples and records the findings (non-prompting).
After that the facilitator will give some examples and references of climate change impacts and will records the
outputs (prompting). Facilitator will try to know everything in detail through asking-why and how. Try to get
specific examples.
Name of facilitator:
Date :
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