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Climate change literacy in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Nicholas P. Simpson

    (University of Cape Town)

  • Talbot M. Andrews

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Matthias Krönke

    (University of Cape Town)

  • Christopher Lennard

    (University of Cape Town)

  • Romaric C. Odoulami

    (University of Cape Town)

  • Birgitt Ouweneel

    (University of Cape Town)

  • Anna Steynor

    (University of Cape Town)

  • Christopher H. Trisos

    (University of Cape Town
    University of Cape Town)

Abstract

Climate change literacy encompasses being aware of both climate change and its anthropogenic cause, and thus underpins informed mitigation and adaptation responses. However, climate change literacy rates and their predictors remain poorly understood across the Global South. Here analysis of Africa’s largest representative public opinion survey shows climate change literacy ranges from 23 to 66% of the population across 33 countries, with larger variation at subnational scales (for example, 5–71% among states in Nigeria). Strong positive predictors of climate change literacy are education and mobility, but poverty decreases climate change literacy, and country-level climate change literacy rates are, on average, 12.8% lower for women than men. Perceived drought experiences and historical trends in precipitation are also important predictors. These results highlight where interventions can target specific regions and demographics to increase climate change literacy and help ensure that responses are informed by better understanding of current and future climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicholas P. Simpson & Talbot M. Andrews & Matthias Krönke & Christopher Lennard & Romaric C. Odoulami & Birgitt Ouweneel & Anna Steynor & Christopher H. Trisos, 2021. "Climate change literacy in Africa," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 11(11), pages 937-944, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:11:y:2021:i:11:d:10.1038_s41558-021-01171-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-021-01171-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna-Kathryn Leve & Hanno Michel & Ute Harms, 2023. "Implementing climate literacy in schools — what to teach our teachers?," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 176(10), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Reylyn S. Ligsa & Kylene May A. Magbanua & Francheska Bernadette V. Manalo & Assoc. Prof. Marilou A. Romarate, 2024. "Assessing Junior High School’s Climate Change Literacy: Input for Learning Plan on Climate Change," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(6), pages 1377-1389, June.

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