People’s Awareness and Perception Level on the Risks of Climate Change and Constraints of Their Adaptation Strategies in Mekelle City, Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

All over the world Climate change is creating significant environmental, ecological, social and economic threats mainly to the cities of the developing nations. Likely, in Ethiopia, climate change induced risks such as drought, flooding and hot temperature are rapidly increasing and causing adverse effects. Adequate level of community’s awareness and perception about the cause, indicators and impacts of climate change and its adaptation measures to effectively cope climate change related impact is essential. Therefore, the main objective of this journal article was to evaluate the level of people’s awareness and perception on the risks of climate change and the challenges of their adaptation strategies in Mekelle city.  In order to realize this objective, the study employed descriptive type, survey method and mixed approach of research. Primary data were collected using questionnaire, interview, focused group discussion and observation.  The study also used secondary data using literature and document review from secondary sources. Moreover, the data analysis methods utilized in this study were SPSS and Excels through graphs, line graphs, cross tabs, chi-square and simple linear regression to show the trends of temperature and rainfall. Finally the study has identified lower level of awareness and perception on climate change; increased daily temperature; reduced amount and duration of rainfall, increased incidence of disease; drying of wetlands and rivers and fluctuation of rainy season as the major findings. Consequently, the communities confronted with water shortage, heath problem, fuel wood shortage, loss of assets and shortage of food supply. The most common adaptation strategies were planting of seedlings, efficient use of fuel stove and water, agro-forestry practice awareness raising and soil and water conservation. Nevertheless, lack of up-to-date climate change related information, limited adaptation technologies, poverty and financial shortage can be considered as the major constraints of adaptation strategies of the people.