KARACHI: Women have more knowledge about climate change than their counterparts and that a vast majority of people believe deforestation is the key reason behind changing climatic patterns.

This is stated in a nationwide study aimed at assessing public perception and knowledge of climate change. It also finds social media as the most popular source of information during the devastating 2022 floods.

The study — A nationwide survey following the devastating 2022 floods in Pakistan: current state of knowledge, attitudes and perception towards climate change and its health consequences — was conducted by researchers representing the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Ziauddin University, Ripah International University, Rawalpindi and Children Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore.

Led by Dr Omar Irfan, the research team was supervised by Prof Javaid Ahmed Khan of the AKUH.

Over 700 adults interviewed in nationwide survey to understand perception of weather patterns

Under the survey, over 700 Pakistani adults from all provinces were interviewed on the subject last year using a questionnaire. Approximately 40 per cent of the respondents’ residential areas were affected by recent floods in Pakistan.

The participants (42.3 per cent) chose social media as their source of information. Increased flooding (95.1 per cent) and changes in rainfall patterns (92.6 per cent) were mentioned as the most recognised climate changes.

More than 94 per cent respondents described deforestation as the key reason for climate change. Women had greater knowledge about climate change than their counterparts and the same was found to be true for medical students and healthcare workers and those whose area of residence was affected by floods.

The study reported an encouraging prevalence of knowledge of climate change, positive attitudes, and practices towards climate change with an interest in learning and doing more in addressing its health effects.

The study highlights that approximately 971 million people globally live in areas that are highly exposed to climate hazards, with many of these at risk populations residing in less developed countries. Climate change remains a public health challenge, with Pakistan experiencing the worst flooding in its history from June to October 2022.

Between 1998 and 2018, Pakistan suffered approximately 152 extreme weather events, with approximately 10,000 casualties, and suffered $3.8 billion worth of economic loss.

The 2022 flooding in Pakistan has been described as the worst in the country’s history; it raised further alarms about the existing infrastructure and management protocols to overcome such disasters.

Since the monsoon season began in mid-June 2022, floods have affected at least 33 million people, displaced at least 7.9 million people, and caused at least 1,718 casualties as of June 30, 2023.

“With the ongoing impacts of climate change, identifying groups with less knowledge of climate change warrants a targeted education programme to improve awareness,” the study says, suggesting use of popular social media platforms for disseminating important information.

It also calls for exploring institution-based interventions to create awareness about climate change at an early age.

“The health implications of climate change are vast and encompass a range of factors. These include the effects of heatwaves, deteriorating air quality, extreme weather events, and changes in meteorological patterns that alter the transmission of vector-borne diseases, reduce water quality, and compromise food security,” it says.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2024