Institute of Public Health, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Environ Health. 2012 Jan 11;11:1. doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-11-1.
Bangladesh has been identified as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world concerning the adverse effects of climate change (CC). However, little is known about the perception of CC from the community, which is important for developing adaptation strategies.
The study was a cross-sectional survey of respondents from two villages--one from the northern part and the other from the southern part of Bangladesh. A total of 450 households were selected randomly through multistage sampling completed a semi-structure questionnaire. This was supplemented with 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 15 key informant interviews (KIIs).
Over 95 percent of the respondents reported that the heat during the summers had increased and 80.2 percent reported that rainfall had decreased, compared to their previous experiences. Approximately 65 percent reported that winters were warmer than in previous years but they still experienced very erratic and severe cold during the winter for about 5-7 days, which restricted their activities with very destructive effect on agricultural production, everyday life and the health of people. FGDs and KIIs also reported that overall winters were warmer. Eighty point two percent, 72.5 percent and 54.7 percent survey respondents perceived that the frequency of water, heat and cold related diseases/health problems, respectively, had increased compared to five to ten years ago. FGDs and KIIs respondents were also reported the same.
Respondents had clear perceptions about changes in heat, cold and rainfall that had occurred over the last five to ten years. Local perceptions of climate variability (CV) included increased heat, overall warmer winters, reduced rainfall and fewer floods. The effects of CV were mostly negative in terms of means of living, human health, agriculture and overall livelihoods. Most local perceptions on CV are consistent with the evidence regarding the vulnerability of Bangladesh to CC. Such findings can be used to formulate appropriate sector programs and interventions. The systematic collection of such information will allow scientists, researchers and policy makers to design and implement appropriate adaptation strategies for CC in countries that are especially vulnerable.
孟加拉国被认为是世界上受气候变化（CC）不利影响最脆弱的国家之一。然而，社区对 CC 的认知知之甚少，而这对于制定适应战略至关重要。
本研究采用横断面调查，对象来自孟加拉国北部和南部的两个村庄，共 450 户家庭通过多阶段抽样随机选择，完成半结构式问卷。此外，还进行了 12 次焦点小组讨论（FGD）和 15 次关键知情人访谈（KII）。
超过 95%的受访者表示，与以往相比，夏季的炎热程度有所增加，80.2%的受访者表示降雨量有所减少。大约 65%的受访者表示，冬季比前几年更暖和，但他们仍会经历非常不稳定和严重的寒冷天气，持续约 5-7 天，这对农业生产、日常生活和人们的健康造成了严重破坏。FGD 和 KII 还报告称，总体而言冬季更暖和。80.2%、72.5%和 54.7%的受访者认为，与五到十年前相比，水、热和冷相关疾病/健康问题的发生频率有所增加。FGD 和 KII 的受访者也报告了同样的情况。
受访者对过去五到十年发生的热、冷和降雨变化有明确的认识。当地对气候变化的看法包括：热增加、整体冬季变暖、降雨量减少和洪水减少。CV 的影响在生活方式、人类健康、农业和整体生计方面大多是负面的。大多数关于 CV 的当地看法与孟加拉国对 CC 脆弱性的证据一致。这些发现可用于制定针对 CC 的适当部门计划和干预措施。系统地收集此类信息将使科学家、研究人员和政策制定者能够为特别脆弱的国家设计和实施适当的适应战略。
