Consumer Awareness, Perception and Actions towards Climate Change Osadebamwen Anthony Ogbeide & Ideba Ele (2015). Consumer Awareness, Perception and Actions towards Climate Change. Mayfair Journal of Agribusiness Management, Volume 1, Issue No 2, Pp 25-38
Abstract
Climate change is one of the most serious environmental and human threats of the 21st century. It is a product of the consumers’ actions and inactions, directly or indirectly that has led to high levels of the various greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and that have caused temperature to rise more than normal. Consumers demand for and consumption of products and services has gone unabated and particularly those rooted in unsustainable production methods. As years go by with no significant actions, the impacts of climate change will intensify with probable catastrophic effects. Across the world, how well informed are consumers about climate change or ready to take actions on it has no certain answer. This study determined the level of consumers’ awareness and perception of climate change. It also investigated consumers’ adaptation actions against climate change. A sample of 500 respondents was used for the survey. The findings of the study were mix; the relationship between consumers’ perception of climate change and the adoption of all the adaptation variables used in the study were significant but for three variables (Turn off all electrical appliances when not in use; Buy a locally made product rather than one imported from far away and; Talk to friends or family about global warming). The result also showed that some of the variables the consumers adopted were more expensive than the ones they declined. This created the suspicion that such variables were chosen for social status rather than to control climate change. Other finding included that the consumers lacked understanding of their role in the cause of climate change. Also the knowledge of what the consumer roles are in mitigating climate change was insufficient. So enlightenment is required; electronic media particularly radio should be used as the primary mass media for communicating climate change information as it is readily available and can be powered by battery in locations where there is no electricity. Government and media must partner to ensure that consumers are well positioned to have access to climate change information for knowledge and to take action.
PDF: Consumer Awareness, Perception and Action towards climate change