An exploration of climate change perceptions in the Maltese Islands

Abstract

Climate change is currently a hotly debated topic and one of the major challenges for society, economy and environment today. As a result of climate change, and in an effort to adapt to a changing world situation, people will need to modify the ways in which they live and behave, and these aspects are fundamentally related to people's perception of the climate change phenomenon. This study assesses levels of awareness and concern in relation to climate change and its impacts within the Maltese population. Malta is a Mediterranean small island state, situated in a semi-arid region and already subject to a very high population density, a vulnerable economy with limited options for diversification, and various environmental pressures. Adaptation to climate change must thus become a priority in the short-term. Three hundred individuals responded to the survey, which addressed general perceptions of climate change, climate change in Malta, personal behaviour and adaptation mechanisms. Results indicate that whilst general awareness of climate change and its impacts is quite high, there are gaps in knowledge and understanding within certain groups of the population (e.g. younger age groups) and in relation to particular topics (e.g. potential drought impacts). There also appear to be some discrepancies between expressed concern and actual personal behaviour, with respondents demonstrating reluctance to change their way of life in any significant way. The survey also poses questions concerning the sense of civic responsibility in Malta, suggesting that a key focus for effective climate change adaptation may need to be building up social capital and fostering a drive towards community responsibility and action. Climate change adaptation must also differentially cater for varying vulnerabilities amongst population sub-groups, and must take into account the various channels by which people derive information and through which their behaviour could be influenced.