Comparing perceptions of climate-related environmental changes for Tuvalu, Samoa, and Tonga

Abstract

Individual perceptions of climate-related environmental changes are essential to understand behavioural responses to such changes. Despite several studies on change-perception in single Pacific Small Island States (PSIS), the variance in these perceptions within and between different PSIS has so far largely been neglected. We, therefore, explored perceptions of climate-related environmental changes and attributed causes in Tuvalu, Samoa, and Tonga. Our survey (N=180) shows that perceptions of environmental changes vary considerably between the three island states and also within each country. A certain fraction of this variance can be explained by (i) geographical and climatic differences between the island states and (ii) selected socio-demographic variables. The socio-demographic factors that proved most relevant include (i) the size of the settlement in which respondents live, (ii) their distance to the sea, (iii) their interaction with nature, and (iv) their self-assessment of their own religiosity. Moreover, we found that people attribute reported changes to manifold irresponsible and unsustainable human behaviours, and to a lesser extent to natural processes and divine acts. By illustrating the variance of perceptions and also the awareness of anthropogenic causes, the study helps to communicate the diversity of local voices and offers ways for finding a basis for discussing and implementing more sustainable behaviour alternatives.

The domestic politics of climate change in the Pacific Islands

“…Very little, in fact, is known about popular understandings of climate change and its place in the political discourse of Pacific countries. This reflects the general invisibility of non‐elites in political studies in the region (Baker and Barbara, 2020), and the practical reality that there is limited reliable opinion poll data (Beyerl et al ., 2019). Access to information about climate change tends to mimic periphery‐core relationships, with high levels of awareness among urban communities in comparison to outer islands and rural areas (Nunn et al ., 2014).…”

“…Access to information about climate change tends to mimic periphery‐core relationships, with high levels of awareness among urban communities in comparison to outer islands and rural areas (Nunn et al ., 2014). The studies that are available indicate that even if the assumption that climate change is an important issue in the region holds true, perceptions of a changing climate do necessarily mean that citizens are able to imagine what their future might look like (Beyerl et al ., 2019). This is likely to impact on the degree to which Pacific Islanders feel politically empowered to respond to such anxieties.…”

Impact of Climate Change on International Health Security: An Intersection of Complexity, Interdependence, and Urgency

“…Public health is influenced by a diverse collection of factors, many discussed in earlier sections of this chapter. One of the most under-appreciated factors is the effect of CC on mental health, both directly and indirectly, at both personal and societal levels [237,238]. One of many subtle manifestations of societal distress is the proposed link between global warming, crop failures, and armed conflict [239,240].…”

‘Burn Like Hot Stones’: Children’s Perceptions of Environmental Change in Samoa

“…Until recently the voices of islanders themselves were largely absent from earlier studies of climate change in the Pacific, which had initially largely been scientific (e.g., Becker et al, 2012;Meyssignac et al, 2012). That has however changed and the perceptions and responses of islanders are of considerable significance (e.g., McCubbin et al, 2015;Rudiak-Gould, 2011Savo et al, 2016) and include those of adult Samoans (Barbara et al, 2023;Beyerl et al, 2019). Small islands, including Samoa, are widely considered to be the loci of consequential future environmental changes in the Pacific region.…”