We know more than you might think : community knowledge on climate change : a case study of eThekwini, Durban

Abstract

Climate change has never been more undeniable. The devastating effects have been experienced worldwide affecting communities through extreme weather events, food insecurity and water scarcity among others. Community knowledge of climate change is an understudied area particularly in the African context. Understanding communities’ knowledge of climate change and their information sources, will enable a tailored approach to climate change communication. This paper aimed to explore the knowledge of communities and their sources of information regarding climate change within eThekwini, in South Africa as a case study. The study was guided by a qualitative research approach, and purposively sampled participants comprising of community members from varying demographic, educational and socio-economic backgrounds. Participant groups were stratified reflecting the main sectors within South Africa i.e. rural, urban, peri-urban and informal. The findings provided an insight into the notions held by community members regarding the causes of climate change. Participants described their perceptions and experiences of the phenomenon as well as their beliefs on the causes of climate change. They also identified the platforms that introduced them to information on climate change. This is particularly significant for climate change communication. This study offers a nuanced perspective of communities’ understanding of climate change and highlights the opportunities for climate change communication to address the knowledge gaps.