Knowledge and Perspectives of Residents in Grenada Regarding Climate Change and the Impacts on the Coastal Environment

Objective: The authors conducted this study to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of residents in two parishes in Grenada with regard to climate change and coastal and marine ecosystems. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a survey administered to 220 residents in two parishes, St. John and St. Mark, which lie along the west coast in Grenada. Results: At least 50% of the respondents correctly identified factors that can contribute to climate change although the majority, 52.6%, also stated they were “somewhat informed” about impacts of climate change and mitigation measures. Overall, about 90% of respondents did not participate in programmes to raise awareness about climate change or coastal ecosystem management in the past five years. Residents who completed their education lower than college, residents above 45 years and residents in St. Mark were found to have significantly lower levels of knowledge and awareness about climate change and coastal ecosystem. Together, almost 50% of respondents reported they were somewhat concerned, not concerned at all or not sure if they should be concerned about climate change. In each case, more than 50% of the respondents also felt communities were prevented from taking action due to lack of knowledge, cooperation, and resources. There was moderate to high support for designating Marine Protected Areas in St. John and St. Mark. Conclusion: Residents in St. John and St. Mark need to increase their knowledge and awareness of the relationship between climate change, coastal and marine ecosystem, and community development and sustainability. Increasing knowledge about climate change is also expected to have a positive effect on the residents’ participation in the Coastal Protection for Climate Change Adaptation in Small Island States project.

Public Knowledge and Attitudes towards Climate Change and Its Impacts on Ecosystems in Grenada

Objective: This study was conducted to assess knowledge and attitudes to climate change and coastal and marine ecosystems of residents in the westerly parishes of St. Mark and St. John in Grenada. Methodology: Interviews were conducted in focus groups with three distinct groupings of fishers, students, and community members. The interviews focused on seven thematic areas: knowledge and awareness about climate change;components of the coastal and marine ecosystems;impact of climate change on the ecosystems;marine protected areas;attitude to climate change and impacts;responses to climate change and impacts;and education and sources of information. Results: The participants discussed their observations of major changes in the coastal and marine environments including considerable build-up of sediments along the shoreline due to the erosion of soil from inland, smaller volume of rivers, increased severity and frequency of flooding, larger deposition of sand in reefs, decline in the stock and variety of fishes, and erosion of coastal lands. The students were more knowledgeable about factors that contributed to climate change but had doubts about how they contribute to the problem and whether the community was willing to take action to protect the environment. The fishers were more knowledgeable about changes in the environment and advocated for the designation of marine protected areas (MPAs) to protect their trade. The community residents were the least knowledgeable about climate change. The community residents, however, felt that education was necessary to effect positive change towards the coastal and marine ecosystems. The fishers and community members demonstrated a high level of interest and support for MPAs. Conclusion: The findings highlight a need to address gaps in knowledge of all groups about the potential effect of climate change on the environment. Such knowledge is also necessary to build community support for the MPA project.