|
|||||
|
|
Rancher and farmer perceptions of climate change in Nevada, USA |
|
| Authors: | Zhongwei Liu William James Smith Jr Ahmad S Safi |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Geography and Regional Planning, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA, 15705, USA 2. Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA 3. School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA |
| Abstract: | Farming and ranching communities in arid lands are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. We surveyed Nevada ranchers and farmers (n?=?481) during 2009–2010 to assess climate change related knowledge, assumptions, and perceptions. The large majority of this group agreed that we are in a period of climate change; however, only 29 % of them believed that human activity is playing a significant role. Female ranchers and farmers hold more scientifically accurate knowledge about climate change than do their male counterparts, regardless of Democratic or Republican affiliation. Partisan affiliation, political ideology, and gender have strong impacts on climate change knowledge and perceptions. Republican, conservative and male rural residents view climate change as a low national priority, less important to themselves, and less harmful to their communities. Female ranchers and farmers are more concerned about the negative impacts of climate change. We found that only 4 % of our subjects (n?=?299) attribute local environment changes to climate change or global warming. The knowledge gained from this study will help researchers and natural resource managers understand how to best communicate about climate change with rural communities, and support policy makers in identifying potentially effective adaptation and mitigation policies and outreach programs. |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ | |