2016
Social and Economic Impact of Climate Change: Assessment at The Weg Naar Zee Ressort, Suriname
THE ANATOL INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH AND SOCIAL SCIENCES & STICHTING INNOVATIVE APPROACHES AND SOLUTIONS © 2016. All rights reserved. The text of this report or portions thereof may be reproduced in any form for education or non-profit use only without special permission, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. No use of this publication may be made for resale or any other commercial purposes without prior written consent of the author.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the United Nations, including UNDP, or their Member States.
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD...... 1 INTRODUCTION...... 3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY ...... 9 Specific Project Objectives ...... 9 METHODOLOGY ...... 10 INITIAL DATA ANALYSIS ...... 12 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 76 Community Impact ...... 76 Economic ...... 76 Environment ...... 77 Women and Youth ...... 78 Awareness ...... 80 Public Education ...... 80 Government, NGOs and Private Sector ...... 81 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 84
FOREWORD
One of my first field visits in December of 2013, even before starting my assignment with the United Nations Development Program in Suriname, was a visit to Weg naar Zee. It is therefore my privilege to write the foreword for this publication.
From 2012 Census data, the Weg naar Zee ressort has a total population of 16,069 persons, of which 8,065 are male and 8,004 female, and a density of approx. 390/km2 (1,000/sq. mi). These men, women and children are vulnerable to the following Climate Change impacts;
Storm surges: which pose a severe threat to coastal infrastructure, which have already caused significant damage in communities in and around Weg naar Zee.
Flooding: although climate projections anticipate a 10% decrease in overall rainfall, these projections also predict more intense rainfall over short periods1 which will worsen already existing flooding and erosion problems, particularly in Suriname’s urban areas where natural drainage has been severely disrupted.
Saltwater Intrusion and Decline in Water Resources: one of the long-term impacts of storm surges and associated flooding is saltwater intrusion into the soils and aquifers of Suriname’s coastal zone. It is well documented that areas such as Weg naar Zee have seen significant saltwater intrusion from storm surges, rendering agricultural areas unusable and damaging terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem functions.
Erosion/Loss of Coastal Landscape: erosion and deposition are part of the continuous principal physical processes along the coastline of Suriname, with the movement of large mud banks along the coast being the primary driver behind land accretion and retreat. Current climate change impacts are having disruptive effects on these naturally occurring changes.
1 Unpublished Draft UNDP project document; Ecosystem Based Adaptation to Climate Change in Suriname, page 9
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These climate change impacts pose threats to the current livelihoods of the local community and also have the potential to negatively impact the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals for the community. This study was therefore undertaken as part of the preparation and deployment of interventions within the community to address their vulnerabilities. The methodology employed enlisted the participation of the community and was embraced by the people of the community.
The results of the study are presented in this report. We wish to thank the Government of Suriname and the European Union for the partnership through the GCCA+ Suriname Adaptation project that made this study possible. We are most appreciative for Stichting Innovative Approaches and Solutions (INNOVA) and its Caribbean partner The Anatol Institute of research and Social Sciences (TAIRASS) for undertaking the study and we thank the community of Weg naar Zee for its participation in the study. We are committed to ensuring that the results will directly feed into proposed measures in the short-term within the context of implementing UNDP program actions within the community.
Armstrong Alexis Deputy Resident Representative
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INTRODUCTION
The Republic of Suriname is located on the South American continent, and is bordered by French Guiana, Guyana and Brazil. Suriname is known to be particularly vulnerable to the potentially negative impact of climate change since it has a low lying coastal zone and which is relatively highly populated.
Suriname demonstrates significant vulnerability to the negative impacts of climate change mainly due to its low-lying coast.
A majority of the country’s fertile land is located along the coast, as well as a concentration of the country's main economic activities and the majority of the population. According to Caribsave, 2012 “…Suriname is already experiencing some of the effects of climate variability and change through greater rainfall variability leading to droughts, flooding and some landslides”.
While data and records related to climate trends and impacts continue to be limited, current projections indicate that future changes in climate in Suriname will be significant and have a negative effect in the communities in the coastal areas such Weg naar Zee.
Weg naar Zee is one of the 12 administrative ressorts of the Surinamese capital and district Paramaribo. A ressort is a Surinamese administrative unit in which the districts are divided. Within the 10 districts of Suriname are a total of 62 resorts.
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FIGURE 1: MAP OF WEG NAAR ZEE RESSORT
Geographically, Weg naar Zee, as the name suggests, lies on the Atlantic coast and borders at the north to the Atlantic Ocean. To the east the resort is bordered by the government resort North-East from the Atlantic to the axis of the Kwattaweg. At the south the border is formed by the Rijweg to Kwatta axis and the axis of the Middenpad Kwatta, from the west side of Washington Street to the border district Wanica. At the West the resort shares border with district Wanica, from the axis of the Middenpad of Kwatta to the Atlantic Ocean (ALGEMEEN DECREET A-26 DECREET, 16 October, 1987).
The resort represents a total land area of 41 km2 (16 sq. mi) and according to the 2012 Census, Weg naar Zee has a total population of 16,069 people, of which 8065 male and 8004 female, and a density of approx. 390/km2 (1,000/sq. mi).
The table below table provides a breakdown of the population of Weg naar Zee by age group and gender:
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TABLE 1: POPULATION OF WEG NAAR ZEE
Source: ABS, Census 2012
It is generally accepted that the majority of the world's poor live in rural areas, and Suriname’s reality conforms to this fact, and is particularly vulnerable to the threats posed by climate change. In the aim of mitigating climate change the issues of resource management and sustainable land development must by necessity be considered and placed high on the policy agenda. This is critical if the aim is to improve the livelihoods of the coastal populations, particularly indigenous groups and ethnic minorities.
According to the United Nations, global climate change and inter-annual changes on the territory of Suriname can have the following consequences: 1. Change in the temperature and rainfall patterns
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2. Change in the sea level and therefore the coastal issues 3. Change in the water sources 4. Change in the ecosystems 5. Change in the health sector 6. Change in agricultural potential 7. Change in the social and economic systems in the country (first national communication under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, NIMOS, Suriname 2005).
Climate change refers to a change in the state of the climate that can be identified (e.g. by using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer. Climate change may be due to natural internal processes or external forces, or to persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use (IPCC, 2013). Climate change is also seen to provide the environment for an increased likelihood of disease, new pathogens, respiratory illnesses, increased incidences of diarrhoea and likelihood of other serious outbreaks of diseases. It is generally argued that these conditions will severely impact populations in the low-lying coastal areas, as well as the poor, infants, and elderly people.
Changing climatic conditions also bring changes in precipitation which lead to drought and flooding and can have the effect of impacting the availability of water as well as creating a heightened risk of contamination of water sources and the outbreak of water-borne diseases. The impact of climate change can serve to undermine the basic human rights, including the rights to food, education, potable water, and basic health care.
The World Bank Report on Climate Change 2015 posits that in the first 8 months of 2015 the world has seen more than 12 climate change disasters, and 14 of the 15 hottest years since record keeping began over 130 years has been since the turn of the century (2000-2015). (World Bank Report, 2014. Turn down the heat: “Confronting the new climate normal.” Washington DC). Climate change will probably reduce the yield of important food crops for poor people and destroy the economics in the Latin American and Caribbean regions. The studies of climate change and livestock indicate that beef and cattle production will decline, under increasing temperatures as
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heat/stress is a major influencing factor of cattle productivity. Basically the wetter regions will get wetter and the dryer ones, dryer, and sea levels are expected to be higher in the Atlantic region rather than the Pacific region.
It is predicted that in the Caribbean, fresh water availability may decrease and sea level rise may cause increased flooding. Even though there is an abundance of fresh water resources in the Caribbean many cities depend on aquifers, rivers etc. that are affected by climate change. As a result, it is feared that in the Caribbean, fresh water supplies may not be enough to meet the demand of the region’s citizens.
Climate change is expected to accentuate pre-existing socio-economic vulnerabilities and poor and women-led households are particularly exposed to shocks and climate change risks. It has been observed that in the Caribbean there are more children in poor and extremely poor populations given the their high fertility rates in those communities and in those circumstances, climate change events can have particularly adverse consequences to children, given that they are at the stage of life with greater needs and dependency.
Additionally, in poor communities a large percentage of the population generally possesses few years of formal education, which can limit their capacity to adapt to climate change impacts or macroeconomic shocks.
It has also been established that many women and children are particularly vulnerable, as they have limited access to resources and few capabilities and opportunities for participating in decision making and policy making. The most vulnerable groups seldom have an influential voice in terms of disaster preparedness and response in the Caribbean and this has become an area of urgent attention. Economic dependency places women and children in a particularly disadvantageous position and climate change can exacerbate the problem in small communities in the region.
Further reports indicate that rapid social and economic changes such as those that result as a consequence of climate shocks can have destabilizing effects on families leading to an increased risk of domestic violence.
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Coastal communities are particularly susceptible to the impact of climate change. Several counties in the region have a large percentage of the population living in the coastal areas where elevation is below 5 meters above sea level. In Belize, Bahamas and Suriname between 15% and 62% of the urban population live below 5 meters above sea level and this low elevation significantly increases their exposure to sea level rise, storm surges and modified storm patterns.
Coastal communities at greatest risk vulnerability are generally those that rely on natural resources for a living, occupy marginal lands, and have limited access to livelihood assets that are necessary to building resilience to climate change and they include communities that rely on coastal tourism and fisheries.
While the number of definitions of climate change vulnerability is extensive and varied, the IPCC (2007) definition is the most commonly used, which states that: “Vulnerability is the degree to which a system is susceptible to, and unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes. Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude, and rate of climate change and variation to which a system is exposed, its sensitivity, and its adaptive capacity”.
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PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive social and economic impact assessment at the Weg naar Zee ressort which is known to suffer implications of climate change, particularly as a result of rising sea level. The project was also aimed at assessing the social consequences of climate change and took into consideration issues such as impact on livelihood, the economic and social implications as well as the specific effects on the female population.
The ultimate aim of the study was to provide policy options for building resilience in the community and to facilitate activities which mitigate the impact of climate change in the community.
Specific Project Objectives 1. To assess the risk resulting from climate change which citizens face in the local communities, and to assess the resources and skills which the community will have to acquire to mitigate these effects.
2. To assess the actual levels of skills available in the community that will have an effect on the capacity to address the challenges of climate change on the community.
3. To identify and assess the risk and review the capacity of the community to respond to effects of climate change.
4. To present solutions for building resilience in the community and to adapt and mitigate the impact of climate change in order to reduce the frequency intensity and impact of these changes.
5. Conduct a comprehensive social and economic impact assessment of the Weg naar Zee resort.
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METHODOLOGY
This assignment was undertaken in the following phases: . Phase One: Initial Site Visit by Consultancy Team and Desk Review The site visit to the community was aimed at receiving information and perspectives from key stakeholders to facilitate the preparation of the design of the questionnaire. A detailed review and analysis of relevant policy documents, case studies and other information gathered was executed. Key Activities: Meeting with key community stakeholders Review and analysis of reports and related data
. Phase Two: Preparation of Draft Questionnaire: This involved the inputs of the key stakeholders and the analysis of reports which informed the content of the questionnaire. Key Activities: Review of data Finalisation of Draft Questionnaire
. Phase Three: Training of Local Field Researchers: This involved the recruitment and training of the field researchers. Key Activities: Selection of the field researchers Training of the field researchers.
. Phase Four: Pre-Test of the Questionnaire This phase involved the pre-testing of the instrument to determine any inconsistencies and sequencing issues or ambiguities in the questionnaire. Key Activities: Pre-test Evaluation of the Pre-Test exercise
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Preparation of Final Questionnaire
. Phase Five: Execution of Survey and Focus Group Interviews Focus interviews and the execution of the questionnaires were carried out simultaneously in the community. Key Activities: Stakeholder interviews Execution of the Final Questionnaire
. Phase Six: Data Entry and Cleaning This stage involved the entering of all data collected and the cleaning of that data to ensure the highest standards of reporting. Key Activities: Data Entry Data Cleaning
. Phase Seven: Report Writing and Presentation of Repot This phase involved the analysis of the data and the preparation and presentation of the final report. Key Activities: Data Analysis Report Writing Report Presentation
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INITIAL DATA ANALYSIS
GENDER
50 50
Male Female
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AGE
35 30.9
30 26.6
25 22.4 20.2 20
15
10 Percentage ofRespondents
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0 18-29 30-50 51-60 61 years years years years and over Age Group
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RELIGION
35 33.2
30
24.9 25
19.6 20
15 13.3
Percentage Respondents of 10 6.2
5 1.2 1.7
0 No Christian Muslim Hindu Catholic Protestant Other Response Religion
In terms of the respondents’ religious persuasion, the data indicate that the majority of respondents (33.2%) were Hindu, followed by Christians (24.9%), Muslims (19.6%), and Catholics (13.3%). 6.2% of the respondents indicated that they fell into the ‘Other’ category, 1.7% were Protestants and 1.2% accounted for the ‘No Response’ category.
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ETHNICITY
Other 9.2
Chinese 2.7
Indigenous 3.2
Maroon 3.6
Ethnicity Javanese 17.8
Indian 44
Creole 19.2
No Response 0.3
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Percentage of Respondents
In relation to ethnicity, the majority of the respondents indicated that they were Indian (44%). On the other hand, 19.2% indicated that they were Creole and 17.8% Javanese. 9.2% fell in the ‘Other’ category, while 3.6% were Maroon, 3.2% Indigenous and 2.7% Chinese. Only 0.3% did not respond to the question.
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EDUCATION
Tertiary / University 13.3
High School Technical 6
High School 25.4
Secondary Technical 11.6
Level Level ofEducation Secondary 24.2
Elementary 15.1
No Response 4.4
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Percentage of Respondents
The majority of the respondents indicated that they had attained at least high school levels of education (25.4% high school, 6% high school technical and 13.3% university). 24.2% attained secondary education, 15.1% elementary education and 11.6% secondary technical education, and only 0.3% did not respond to the question.
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INCOME
29.6 30
25
20 19 20
15 12 10.1
10 7.8 Percentage ofRespondents
5 1.5
0 No 0-1000 SRD 1001-1500 1501-2000 2001-2500 2501 SRD None Response SRD SRD SRD and over Level of Income
With respect to monthly income of the respondents, the majority (29.6%) indicated that they received no income, while 20% indicated they received between 0-1000 SRD, 19% indicated they received between 1501 SRD and 2000 SRD, 12% indicated they received between 1001 SRD- 1500 SRD, 10.1% indicated they received more than 2501 SRD, 7.8% indicated they received between 2001 SRD-2500 SRD, while 1.5% of the respondents chose not to divulge their income levels.
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MAJOR OCCUPATION
25 21.8
18.9 20
14.7 15
10.9 10 10 8.5
6.9 6.8 Percentage ofRespondents 5 1.5
0
Occupation
In terms of the major occupations of the respondents, 21.8 % were self-employed while 18.9% indicated that they were government workers. Of the remaining, 14.7% were retired, 10.9% were housewives/househusbands, 10% were students, 8.5 % were businessmen/private sector employees. Of the remaining respondents 6.8% indicated that they were farmers 6.8 indicated they were unemployed and 1.5% indicated they were fishermen.
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SECONDARY OCCUPATION
0.3 0.8 0.3 0.6 1.6 0.5 3.1 3.2 4.4 1
84.2
No Response Farmer Fisherman Government worker Businessman Student Housewife/husband Retired Self-employed Unemployed None
Interestingly, 84.2%of the respondents indicated that they only had one occupation, which is contrary to perceived situation in similar communities. Of the secondary occupations indicated, the majority (4.4%) were fishermen, (3.2%) were businessmen private sector employees, and (3.1%) were engaged in farming.
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Q9 KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
40 36.3 33.7 35
30
25
20 17.2
15 Percentage ofRespondents 10 7 5.8
5
0 A great deal A fair amount Not much Hardly anything Don't know / not sure Response
In response to Q9, which asked ‘How much do you know about Climate Change?’ the majority of respondents (50.9%) answered in the affirmative, (33.7% indicated ‘a fair amount’ and 17.2% indicated ‘a great deal’). Interestingly 36.3% of the respondents indicated that they ‘did not know much’, and 5.8% indicated theta they knew ‘hardly anything’.
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Q10 CONCERN ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE
0.5
6.6 11.3
40
41.6
Unsure Very concerned Moderately concerned Not concerned at all Dont' know / not sure
In response to Q 10 which asked ‘How concerned are you about climate change?, the majority of the respondents (81.6%) indicated significant levels of concern (41.6% being ‘moderately concerned’ and 40% being ‘very concerned’). Only a minority of the sample population (18.3%) indicated low levels of concern over the issue (11.3% being ‘not concerned at all’ and 7% indicted that they ‘did not know’ or were ‘unsure’)
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Q11 INFORMATION ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE
Other 3.8
Schools 2.7
Posters / brochures 0.8
Workshops 0.6
Faith based organisations 0.3
Websites / Internet 12.2
Friends 3.1
Family 4.2
Professionals 1.6
SourceofInformation Neighbours 3.2
Newspapers 15.7
Social media 14.6
Television media 27.3
Government 9.2
Unsure 0.8
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Percentage of Respondents
Q 11 asked ‘Where do you get your information about climate change?’ In response the vast majority of the respondents indicated that they received information from television media (27.3%), followed by newspapers (15.7%), social media (14.6), and websites/internet (12.2%). The rest of information was sourced from government (9.2%), with insignificant levels of information coming from other sources such as family, friends, neighbors, professionals and schools.
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Q 12 ASSOCIATION WITH PHRASE ‘CLIMATE CHANGE’
18.3 46.6 35.1 No Specific Association
68.4 19.6 12
Intense Storm Surges Response 82 8.1 9.9 Increases in Air & Sea Temperature
78.4 11.2 10.4 Sea Level Rise
0 20 40 60 80 100 Percentage of Respondents
Yes No Do not know
Q 12 solicited information which would indicate how the respondents associated the phrase ‘climate change’ to sea level rise, increases in air and sea level temperatures, and more intense storm surges. The question also sought to verify or indicate is there was ‘no specific’ association. In response, 78.4% of the respondents indicated that they associated climate change with a rise in sea levels, while only 11.2% did not (approximately 10% indicated that they did not know). In relation to increases in air and sea temperatures, the majority of the respondents indicated that they associated the phrase ‘climate change’ with increases in air and sea temperatures (82% indicated ‘yes’) while only 8.1% responded in the negative (and 9.2% indicated that they did not know). 68.4% of the respondents indicated that the associated the phrase ‘climate change’ with more
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intense storm surges, while approximately one fifth of the sample (19.6%) did not, and 11.4% indicted that they did not know.
Q 13 HOW MUCH IS YOUR COMMUNITY AT RISK OR VULNERABLE TO CLIMATE CHANGE?
43.3 45
40
33.1 35
30
25
20
15 11.8 11.8 Percentage ofRespondents 10
5
0 A great deal Somewhat Hardly at all Don't know / not sure Response
Q 13 asked ‘in your opinion how much is your community at risk or vulnerable to climate change?’ The majority of respondents (43.3%) indicated that their community was at risk or vulnerable to climate change ‘a great deal’, with 33.1% indicating ‘somewhat’ and only a minority (11.8%) stating ‘hardly at all’ and 11.6% of the respondents indicating that they did not know.
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Q 14 CHANGES IN SPECIFIC WEATHER RELATED AREAS IN THEIR COMMUNITY OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS Factor Less More Don't Know Rainfall 44.7% 43.0% 11.8% Dryer conditions 7.2% 83.7% 7.5% Tropical storms / hurricanes 10.8% 58.6% 29.0% Rising tides 10.1% 61.6% 25.4% Temperature increase 8.1% 85.8% 5.5% Temperature decrease 56.2% 17.3% 24.9% Coastal erosion 8.4% 52.3% 37.2% Landslides 12.6% 32.7% 51.8% Flooding 13.1% 57.3% 28.5% Vegetation changes 10.6% 41.3% 45.4%
Q 14 asked if respondents noticed any changes in specific weather related areas in their community over the last 5 years. When evaluating the changes in the environment, the majority of respondents indicated that the temperature was increasing (85.8%), the conditions were becoming dryer (83.7%), the tides were rising (61.6%), increase in tropical storms/hurricanes (58.6%), increased flooding (57.3%), increased coastal erosion (52.3%), increased rainfall (43%), vegetation changes (41.3%), and increased landslides (32.7%).
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Q 15 HOW HAVE THE CHANGES IDENTIFIED AFFECTED THEIR COMMUNITY?
40 36.6
35
30
25
20 16.5
15 13.5
11.3 Percentage ofRespondents 9.4 10 7.4
4 5 1.3
0 Coastal Downturn Dryer Flodding Relocation Not much Dont know Other erosion in coastal conditions and and erosion blocking of rebuilding drains of homes Response
Q 15 asked ‘How have the changes identified in Q 14 affected their community?’ In response, 36.6% indicated dryer conditions have impacted the community, 16.5 % indicated coastal erosion, 13.5% flooding and blocking of drains, 11.3% downturn in agricultural production.
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Q16 OPINIONS ON A RANGE OF ISSUES RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE Event Yes No Don't Know Earthquakes 39.8% 39.4% 19.8% Increased greenhouse gases 51.6% 17.3% 29.9% Landslides 45.2% 22.7% 31.0% Floods 78.9% 10.3% 10.3% Sea level rise 80.9% 8.8% 9.6% Health epidemics 48.4% 28.5% 22.0% Global warming 84.5% 6.0% 9.1% Coral reef bleaching 35.7% 18.5% 44.1% Droughts 86.0% 5.6% 7.3% Climate variability 71.6% 8.8% 18.9% Fish kill 47.6% 21.6% 29.2%
Q16 asked the respondents their opinions on a range of issues related to climate change. In response, interestingly the same number indicted that earthquakes were both ‘increasing’ and ‘not increasing’. Apart from this category, the majority of respondents indicated that they effects were negative with 86% indicating increases in droughts, 84.5% indicating increase in global warming, 71.6% indicating increase in climate variability. 78.9% if the respondents indicated increases in floods, 51.6% indicating increased greenhouse gases, 48.4% indicating increases in health epidemics, 47.6% indicating increases in fish kill, 45.2% indicating increases in landslides, and 35.7% indicating increase in coral reef bleaching.
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Q17 CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
100 9.8 7.7 10.7 15 7 8.9 23.2 24.2 9.9 80 14.3
22.7
60 40
83.2 83.4 79.4 40 70.7
Percentage ofRespondents 53.1
20 36.8
0 Burning fossil Transportation Land clearing Agriculture Industry / Electricity fuels factories generation Factor
Yes No Don't Know
Q 17 asked respondents to indicate what they thought were the causes of climate change. 83.4% of the respondents that indicated that transportation (driving a bus car or boat) contributed to climate change and similarly 83.2% of the respondents indicated the burning fossil fuels cause climate change. Interestingly 79.4% of the respondents indicated that industry/factories caused climate change, while 70.7% indicated that land cleaning causes climate change.
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Q18 INDICATE WHICH OUTCOMES ARE CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES Factor Yes No Don't Know Coastal flooding 57.3% 25.2% 17.0% Coastal erosion 54.8% 26.1% 18.5% Loss of coastal infrastructure 44.7% 31.2% 23.5% Salt water intrusion in aquifers, loss of freshwater 39.6% 32.7% 27.3% Increased severity of tropical storms and hurricanes 49.9% 26.7% 22.5% Decreased agricultural productivity 52.3% 25.8% 21.1% Deterioration of coral reefs 19.4% 31.8% 47.0% Decreased productivity of fisheries 40.3% 28.2% 30.8% Increased flooding 57.9% 25.2% 16.5% Dryer conditions 85.7% 7.4% 6.2%
Q18 asked respondents to indicate which outcomes are caused by climate change in their communities. In response, 85.7% indicated that dryer conditions are caused by climate change, 57.9% indicated increased flooding, 57.3% indicated coastal flooding and 54.8% indicated coastal erosion resulted from climate change.
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Q19 MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE POPULATION
Increased public awareness of climate change issues 3.6 20.3 67.6 8.5
Improved crop cultivation in the agricultural sector 8 26.8 47 18.2
Increased research and development of renewable energy technologies 8.5 26.2 51.9 13.4 Response
More efficient energy use in the industrial and commerical sectors 11.8 26.3 46.1 15.8
Reduction in electricity use 21.2 30.5 29.9 18.4
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Percnetage of Respondents
Not important Moderately important Very important Don't Know
Q asked about the measures that can be taken to reduce the effects of climate change on the population. The majority of the respondents indicated that measures can be taken to mitigate the effects of climate change. Specifically 87.9% of the respondents responded that mechanism can be established to mitigate climate change (with 67.6% indicating ‘very important’ and 20.3% indicating ‘moderately important’). With respect to improved crop cultivation, 73.8% indicated that this is an important mechanism to mitigate climate change (47% indicating ‘very important’ and 26.8% indicting ‘moderately important’. 72.4% of the respondents believed that more effective use of energy in the commercial and industrial sectors can also reduce the detrimental effects on the environment (46.1% indicating ‘very important’ and 26.3% indicating ‘moderately
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important’). Similarly, 60.4%of the respondents indicated that reduction in electrical use will be beneficial to the environment.
Q20 ASKED THE RESPONDENTS TO RANK SEVERAL CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE Least Most importan importan Factor t 2 3 4 5 t Rainfall 13.1% 15.0% 20.7% 16.9% 16.4% 17.1% Dryer conditions 5.2% 9.8% 18.8% 28.1% 18.4% 18.9% Tropical storms 17.0% 14.3% 18.6% 17.9% 21.5% 9.9% Sea level rise 8.7% 15.5% 15.9% 15.3% 20.8% 23.0% Coastal erosion 17.2% 24.2% 14.0% 13.8% 14.8% 15.2% Seasonality of crops 38.4% 20.9% 10.6% 7.9% 7.5% 13.9%
Q 20 asked the respondents to rank several climate change issues in order of importance (in terms of how they believe these issues affect Suriname). The data indicate that the factors which were thought to be most important for the majority of the respondents are sea level rise (43.8%), dryer conditions (37.3%), increased rainfall (33.5%) and increase in tropical storms (31.4%), increased coastal erosion (30%) and seasonality of crops (21.4%).
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Q21 WHO DO YOU THINK IS MAINLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE?
11.5
37.8
27
5.6 18.1
Government Business/industry Community organisations Private citizens Other
Q21 asked respondents ‘Who do you think is mainly responsible for addressing climate change?’37.8% of the respondents indicated that the government was responsible, 27% indicated that private citizens are mainly responsible for addressing climate change, 18.1% responded that business/industry was mainly responsible for addressing climate change. It is interesting to note that only 5.6% of the respondents indicated that the community organizations were responsible for addressing climate change.
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Q22 DO YOU THINK THAT YOUR COMMUNITY IS PREPARED TO HANDLE EXTREME CLIMATE CHANGE EVENTS?
15.8 12.8
71.4
Yes No Don't know / not sure
Q22 asked ‘Do you think that your community is prepared to handle extreme climate change events?’ In response, 71.4% of the respondents indicated that their community is not prepared to handle extreme climate change events while 14.9% responded that their community is prepared to handle extreme climate change events. Interestingly 12.8% of the respondents indicated that they ‘did not know’ or they were ‘not sure’.
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Q23 Top rated issues: 1. Generate electricity more efficiently (535 respondents) 2. Provision well-equipped shelters (528 respondents) 3. Have proper building codes (492 respondents) 4. Identify vulnerable areas (477 respondents) 5. Public awareness and education (415 respondents) 6. Avoid deforestation (409 respondents) 7. Proper legislation on climate change issues (396 respondents) 8. Improve coastal defences (360 respondents)
Q23 asked respondents to list in order of priority the three most important actions that should be implemented by their community to adapt to climate change. The actions to be taken in order of priority which should be implemented by the community to adapt to climate change were generating electricity more effectively, the provision of well-equipped shelters, having proper building codes, identification of vulnerable areas, public awareness and education programs, the avoidance of deforestation, proper legislation, on climate change issues and improved coastal defenses.
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Q24 WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT OR LESSEN WEATHER IMPACTS?
30 27.5
25
19.6 20 17.4
14.4 15
9.7
10 7.9 Percentage ofRespondents
5 3.5
0 Keep clean No pollution Secure my Use safe Reduce Nothing / Other surroundings property chemicals waste don't know Response
Q24 asked ‘What do you think is the most important thing you can do to prevent or lessen weather impacts?’. In response of this question, 27.5% of the respondents indicated that the most important action is to ‘keep clean surroundings’, while 19.6% of the respondents indicated that you should avoid pollution. Further, 17.4% of the respondents indicated that reducing waste would prevent or lessen weather impacts while 14.4% indicated that the use of safe chemicals was also important.
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Q25 WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT YOUR COMMUNITY CAN DO TO LESSEN WEATHER IMPACTS?
40 37.1
35
30
25
20 17.7 17.9
15
Percentage Respondents of 9.4 8.6 10 5.8 3.5 5
0 Avoid bush Community Proper Recycle Take care of Nothing / Other fires awareness garbage products beaches don't know disposal Response
Q25 asked ‘What do you think that your community can do to lessen weather impacts?’ 37.1% of the respondents indicated that community awareness was the most important action that their community can do to prevent or lessen weather impact. Additionally, 17.9% of the respondents indicated that recycling products was also another important action that the community can undertake to prevent or lessen weather impacts. While 17.7% of the respondents indicated that proper garbage control is another important contribution that the community can take to prevent or lessen weather impacts.
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Q26 WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO TO PREVENT OR LESSEN WEATHER IMPACTS?
Other 3
Nothing / don't know 5.3
Recycling programmes 15.1
Public education 33.3 Response
Proper laws 26.6
Discourage deforestation 6.4
Better garbage disposal facilities 10.3
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Percentage of Respondents
Q26 asked ‘What do you think is the most important thing the government can do to prevent or lessen weather impacts?’ The majority of the respondents (33.3%) indicated that public education is the most important action that the government can take to prevent or lessen weather impacts while 26.6% of the respondents indicated that proper laws were also significant with regard to preventing or lessening impacts. 15.1% indicated that recycling programs were also important and 10.3% indicated that better garbage disposal facilities will also contribute to the prevention and reduction of weather impacts. Only 5% indicated that ‘nothing’ would help or that they ‘did not know’.
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Q27 WHICH SOURCES WERE USEFUL FOR INFORMING THEM ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE? Source Yes No Don't Know Government 80.0% 12.5% 6.0% Television media 93.7% 4.5% 1.5% Social media 78.1% 15.0% 5.6% Newspapers 88.6% 8.4% 2.0% Neighbours 58.6% 27.8% 11.8% Professionals 71.9% 17.7% 9.0% Family 68.3% 20.5% 9.9% Friends 65.1% 22.7% 10.9% Websites / internet 78.0% 14.5% 6.0% Faith based organisations 59.8% 24.9% 13.8% Workshops 62.1% 22.7% 14.0% Posters / brochures 68.3% 20.6% 9.7% Schools 76.4% 17.0% 5.8%
Q 27 asked respondents to indicate which sources were useful for informing them about climate change. In response the above was noted.
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Q28 Q29
35 40 37.1 30.5 30 28.3 35
30 25 21.1 25.2 25 20 19.5 20 15 13 15
10 Percentage ofRespondents 6.3 Percentage ofRespondents 10 7.6 6.7 5 3.9 0.8 5 0 Don't Strongly Agree Neither Disagree Strongly 0 know agree agree disagree Don't Strongly Agree Neither Disagree Strongly nor know agree agree nor disagree disagree disagree Response Response
Q28 to Q39 asked the respondents to rate the impact of climate change on a range of social economic and climatic issues.
In Q28, the majority agreed with the statement that climate change affects their ability to make a living (41.3%), while 36.8% disagreed, and approximately one fifth of the sample (21.1%) was neutral.
In Q29 asked about their ability to transport goods to market, and the majority of the survey disagrees with the statement (37.1% ‘disagree and 7.6% ‘strongly disagree’), while only 26.2% agree (19.5% ‘agree’ and 6.7% ‘strongly agree’). Approximately one quarter of the survey (25.2%) responded in the neutral.
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Q30 Q31
35 60 32.1 50.8 30 50 25.3 25 22.3 40
20
30 15 22.5
9.2 20
Percentage ofRespondents 10 7.5 Percentage Respondents of 13.6 10.4 5 3.6 10 2.4 0.3 0 Don't Strongly Agree Neither Disagree Strongly 0 know agree agree disagree Don't Strongly Agree Neither Disagree Strongly nor know agree agree nor disagree disagree disagree Response Response
In Q30, 39.6% of the respondents disagree that climate change affects their crop/fishing season and 31.5% agree with the statement that climate change affects their crop/fishing, and interestingly 25.3% responded in the neutral. In Q31 (‘I am affected by dryer conditions’)the majority of respondents (73.3%) agree with the statement (50.8 ‘agree’ and 22.5 ‘strongly agree) that they are affected by dryer conditions caused by climate change, while only 16% disagree (2.4% ‘strongly disagree’ and 13.6% ‘disagree).
40
Q32 Q33
35 60 31.3 54.4 30.4 30 50
25 40
20 17.9 29 30 15 13.4
20 Percentage ofRespondents
10 Percentage ofRespondents 6.7 8.4 5 10 6.5
0.3 0.6 1.1 0 0 Don't Strongly Agree Neither Disagree Strongly Don't Strongly Agree Neither Disagree Strongly know agree agree disagree know agree agree disagree nor nor disagree disagree Response Response
In response to Q32 (‘I am affected by flooding’), 44.7% of the respondents agree that they are affected by flooding (31.3% ‘agree’ and 13.4% ‘strongly agree’), while 37.1% disagree (30.4% ‘disagree’ and 6.7% ‘strongly disagree’). Less than one fifth responded in the neutral (17.9%). Only a minority of respondents indicated a negative response to Q33 (6.5% ‘disagree’ and 1.1% ‘strongly disagree’) which asked if they are affected by temperature, while the majority (83.4%) indicated a positive response (54.4% ‘agree’ and 29% ‘strongly agree’) indicating that they are affected by temperature.
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Q34 Q35
1.1
5.6 12.8 7.1 4.5 6.3 16.7 30.4 40.1 28.4
25.3 21.7
Don't know Don't know Strongly agree Strongly agree Agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Disagree Strongly disagree Strongly disagree
Q34 asked about their ability to make a living, while approximately one fifth of the sample indicated a neutral response (21.7%), the majority of the respondents indicated agreement that climate change affects their ability to make a living (41.2%) and 36% responded negatively. The majority of respondents (47.2%) disagreed with this statement while approximately one quarter (25.3%) responded in the neutral, and 24% agreed.
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Q36 It affects my crop/fishing season
Strongly disagree 7.4
Disagree 36.4
Neither agree nor disagree 25.7
Response Agree 18.2
Strongly agree 7.7
Don't know 4.6
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Percentage of Resonpdents
In response to Q36 only 25.9% of the respondents indicated agreement with the statement, while 43.8% disagreed. Approximately one quarter of the respondents indicated a neutral response (25.7%).
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Q37 ‘I am affected by drought’
49.5 50
45
40
35
30
25 21.5
20 14.3
15 12.1 Percentage ofRespondents
10
5 1.9 0.7 0 Don't know Strongly Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly agree nor disagree disagree Response
In response to Q37 70% of the respondents indicated agreement with the statement while, only 16.2% disagreed. Only 12.1% indicated a neutral response to the statement.
44
Q38 I am affected by flooding
Strongly disagree 6.6
Disagree 31.2
Neither agree nor disagree 17.1
Response Agree 30.5
Strongly agree 13.7
Don't know 0.9
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Percentage of Respondents
In response to Q38, 44.2% agreed with the statement (‘I am affected by flooding’) while 37.8% disagreed. 17.1% remained neutral.
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Q39 I am affected by temperature
0.7 6.1 1 7.7 26.1
58.4
Don't know Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree
84.5% agree with the statement (58.4 ‘agree’ and 26.1% ‘strongly agree’. Only 6.7 % disagree to some degree and similarly 7.7% responded in the neutral ‘neither agree nor disagree’.
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Q40 I will have to learn new ways of doing my business (farming/fishing)
30 28.3 26.7 27
25
20
15
10 7.8 Percentage ofRespondents 5.9 4.3 5
0 Don't know Strongly Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly agree nor disagree disagree Response
Q40 to Q44 sought respondents’ views on mechanisms they require to make a better living. In response to Q40, 36.1% of the respondents agreed that they have to learn new ways of doing business (farming/fishing), while 32.9% disagreeing to some degree, interestingly 26.7% (in excess of a quarter of the sample) indicated a neutral response to this question.
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Q41 I will have to get assistance from the government
40 36.1
35
30 24.5 25 21.3
20
15
9.7 Percentage ofRespondents 10 6.2
5 2.2
0 Don't know Strongly Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly agree nor disagree disagree Response
In response to Q41 majority (45.8%) agree with the statement (9.7% ‘strongly agree’ and 36.1% ‘agree’), that in order to make a better living they will have to get assistance from the government. 37.5% disagree (with 6.2% ‘strongly disagree’ and 21.3% ‘disagree’), and approximately a quarter of the respondents indicated a neutral response (24.5%).
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Q42 I will have to get out of this business and start a new one
Strongly disagree 9.8
Disagree 42.4
Neither agree nor disagree 31.9
Response Agree 10
Strongly agree 1.8
Don't know 4.1
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Percentage of Respondents
Q42 asked respondents if in order to ‘make a better living they would have to get out of the current business and start a new one’. While roughly a third of the respondents (31.9%) indicated a neutral response to Q42, just over half the respondents indicated a negative response to the statement (9.2% ‘strongly disagree’ and 42.4% ‘disagree’). Interestingly only 11.8% indicated agreement with the statement that in order to ‘make a better living they would have to get out of the current business and start a new one’.
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Q43 In order to make a better living I will have to learn new skills for a new way of life,
6.2 2.2 8.4
18.5
40.2
24.5
Don't know Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree
In response to Q43, which asked respondents whether if in order to make a better living if they would have to learn new skills for a new way of life, approximately twice the number of respondents agreed (48.6% )with the statement as opposed to those who disagreed (24.7%). Interestingly approximately the same amount of respondents disagreed with the statement as those who responded in the neutral, thus suggesting that the “agree” category is actually the minority in this case.
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Q44 In order to make a better living I will have to learn to adapt to changes in climate
60 56.2
50
40
30
20 16.1
Percentage ofRespondents 12.8 10.1 10 1.9 2.9
0 Don't know Strongly Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly agree nor disagree disagree Response
Q44 asked respondents if on order to make a better living they would have to learn to adapt to the changes in climate. 69% agree with the statement ad only 13% disagree.
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Q45 The skills necessary to survive can be obtained in my community
40 38.2
35 29.6 30
25
20 17.5
15
Percentage ofRespondents 8.9 10
3.7 5 2.1
0 Don't know Strongly Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly agree nor disagree disagree Response
Q45 asked respondents if they agreed with the statement that the skills necessary to survive can be obtained in their community. 47.1% disagree with this statement while only the minority of 21.2% agreed. A significant percentage of the respondents (29.6%) responded in the neutral.
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Q46 The skills to adapt to climate change are available in my community
40 38.3
35 30.9
30
25
20 14.9
15 12.1 Percentage ofRespondents 10
5 2 1.8
0 Don't Know Strongly Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly agree nor disagree disagree Response
Q46 asked the respondents if the skills to adapt to climate change are available in their community. While a significant number of respondents responded in the neutral (30.9%) to this question, it is important to note that the majority (50.4%) responded in the negative and only a minority of 16.7% agreed with the statement.
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Q47 The mechanisms to learn new skills for a new livelihood are available in my community
10.7 1.9 2.2 13.3
39.9 32
Don't Know Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree
Q47 asked whether the mechanism to learn new skills for a new livelihood are available in the community. In response to the majority (50.6%) of respondents indicated that the mechanisms for learning new skills were not available in the community (39.9% ‘disagree’ and 10.7% ‘strongly disagree’), while 32% ‘neither agree nor disagree’. It is important to note that only the minority of 15.5% agree with this statement.
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Q48 I know where to go to increase my skill sets
Strongly disagree 12.3
Disagree 39.4
Neither agree nor disagree 27.1
Response Agree 17.1
Strongly agree 2.2
Don't Know 1.9
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Percentage of Respondents
Q48 asked for responses to the statement ‘I know where to go to increase my skill sets’, only 19.3% of the respondents agree with this statement that they know where to go while 51.7% disagree to varying degrees indicating that they did not know where to go to increase their skill sets, and 27.1% indicated a neutral response.
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Q49 I know of people in my community that have been retrained to deal with climate change
43.8 45
40
35
30
23.4 25
20 16.3
15 11.8 Percentage ofRespondents 10
2.9 5 1.8
0 Don't Know Strongly Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly agree nor disagree disagree Response
Q49 asked for responses to the statement ‘I know of people in my community that have been retrained to deal with climate change, In response approximately one quarter of the sample (23.4%) indicated a neutral response while the majority of respondents (60.1%) disagree with the statement that they know people in their community who were retrained to deal with climate change (43.8% ‘disagree’ and 16.3% ‘strongly disagree’). Only 14.7% of the respondents agree to some degree.
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Q50 I am aware of the challenges of climate change
0.2 0.6
6.8 21.2 15.3
55.9
Don't Know Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree
Q50 asked for responses to the statement ‘I am aware of the challenge of climate change, 77.1 % of the respondents agree with the statement (55.9% ‘agree’ and 21.2% ‘strongly agree’), while only 7% of respondents disagreed to some extent. 15.3% of the respondents ‘neither agree nor disagree’.
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Q51 I believe that climate change negatively affects my community
0.4 0.7
10.3 17.4
20
51.2
Don't Know Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree
Q51 asked for response2 to the statement ‘I believe that climate change negatively affects my community, in response 68.6% of the respondents agreeing to varying degrees with the statement, and 20% indicating neutrality while only 17.8% indicating agreement. These responses are similar to Q50.
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Q52 I believe that climate change negatively affects my ability to make a living
Strongly disagree 4.8
Disagree 27.2
Neither agree nor disagree 23.1
Response Agree 33.8
Strongly agree 9.7
Don't Know 1.4
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Percentage of Respondents
Q52 asked for responses to the statement ‘I believe that climate change negatively affect my ability to make a living’, while 32% disagree with the statement, the majority of the respondents (43.5%) believe that climate change negatively affect their ability to make a living. Interestingly 23.1% indicated that they ‘neither agree nor disagree’ with the statement.
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Q53 Climate change is not really happening
1 2.7 9.9 27.3
11.4
47.7
Don't Know Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree
Q53 asked for responses to the statement ‘Climate change is not really happening’ the majority (75%) of the respondents disagreed with the statement (47.7% ‘disagree’ and 27.3% ‘strongly disagree’), and while 11.4% indicated a neutral response, only 12.6% of the respondents agreed with the statement.
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Q54 Climate change is not affecting me directly
Strongly disagree 19.4
Disagree 30.3
Neither agree nor disagree 12.8
Response Agree 32.7
Strongly agree 3.9
Don't Know 0.9
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Percentage of Respondents
Q54 asked for response to the statement ‘Climate change is not affecting me directly’ 49.7% of respondents disagree with the statement that climate change is not affecting them directly while 36.6% agree. Only 12.8% ‘neither agree nor disagree’.
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Q55 I believe that climate change will make life increasingly difficult for my community
45 41.2
40
35
30 27.1
25 20.2 20
15 Percentage ofRespondents 8.7 10
5 1.2 1.6
0 Don't Know Strongly Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly agree nor disagree disagree Response
Q55 asked for response to the statement ‘I believe that climate change will make life increasingly difficult for my community’ in response the majority (61.4%) of the respondents agreed with the statement (20.2% ‘strongly agree’ and 41.2% ‘agree’), only 10.3% disagreed to some extent. Interestingly 27.1% indicated that they ‘neither agree nor disagree’ with the statement that climate change will make life more difficult for their community.
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Q56 As opposed to 5 years ago, is it better or worse?
1.4
2.9 3.3 11.8
28.8
51.8
Don't Know Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree
Q56 asked for response to the statement ‘As opposed to 5 years ago is the climatic conditions better or worse’, in response, 80.6% of the respondents indicated agreement with the statement that the climate conditions are worse than 5 years ago, only 11.8% indicated ‘neither agreement nor disagreement’, and only the minority of 4.3% disagreed to some extent.
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Q57, Q58, Q59, Q60, Q61, Q62 Neither agree Strongly nor Strongly agree Agree disagree Disagree disagree Flooding negatively affects the homes in my community 17.6% 36.4% 12.8% 26.9% 4.7% Flooding negatively affects the garbage in my community 11.9% 26.8% 20.8% 32.5% 6.0% Flooding negatively affects my livelihood 12.9% 33.4% 17.1% 30.7% 4.3% Flooding negatively affects the roads in my community 11.3% 33.4% 19.7% 30.0% 4.0% Flooding negatively affects the tourism in my community 12.0% 22.0% 27.0% 30.5% 5.7% Flooding negatively affects the ability of children to go to school 10.7% 28.9% 15.8% 37.3% 5.6%
Q57, Q58, Q59, Q60, Q61, Q62 asked about flooding and its impacts on a number of areas and the responses indicate that flooding negatively affects homes (54%), negatively affects garbage (38.7%), negatively affects livelihoods (46.3%), negatively affects roads (44.7%), negatively affects tourism (32%) and negatively affects the ability of children to go to school (39.6%).
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Q63 Dryer conditions as a result of climate change cause water shortages
Strongly disagree 2.3
Disagree 20.6
Neither agree nor disagree 18.2
Response Agree 40.3
Strongly agree 18.1
Don't Know 0.5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Percentage of Respondents
Q63 asked whether dyer conditions cause water shortages, and 58.4% indicated that water shortages were caused by dryer conditions, while 18.2% ‘neither agree nor disagree’. 22.9% disagree with the statement.
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Q64, Q65, Q66, Q67
60
54.2 53.9
50
40.2 40 38.5
31.5
30 26 25.1 22.6
Percentageof Respondents 20 17.9 15.9 15.7 14.2 13.2
8.9 10 4.8 3.8 2.6 3.4 3.1 1.9 1.2 0.3 0.3 0.8 0 Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor Disagree Strongly disagree Don't Know disagree Response
Climate change has worsened now as opposed to 5 years ago Climate change negatively affects business activity in my community Climate change affects sporting and recration for youth in the community Climate change negatively affects females in the community
Q64 asked whether climate change was worsened now as opposed to 5 years ago. 85.7% agreed that climate change has worsened now as opposed to 5 years ago. Q65 asked whether climate negatively affects business activity in the community, 56.1% of respondents agreed that business activity is negatively impacted.
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Q66 asked whether climate change affects sporting and recreation for youth in the community, and 52.7% of the respondents agreed that climate change negatively affects sporting and recreation for youth.
Q67 asked whether climate change negatively affects females in the community. 53.9% indicated that they ‘neither agree nor disagree’ that it negatively affects females in the community. This is significant as it is the highest percentage of persons who responded in the neutral for all the questions in this section.
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Q68, Q69, Q70, Q71
44.4 45 43.8 43.8
40
35 33.6 30.7
30 27.7 25.7 25 21.2 20.2 20 15.8
Percentage ofRespondents 15 13.6 11 10 9.8 10.1 9 10 8.7 6.5 5.6 5.7 5 1.5 0.5 0.3 0.8 0 Immediate Delayed Neutral Slow None Don't Know Response
How has the Disaster Response been from the government? How has the Disaster Response been from the community? How has the Disaster Response been from the NGO community? How has the Disaster Response been from the international community?
Q68, Q69, Q70, Q71 asked about disaster response from different entities in the country. It is interesting to note that the majority of responses were in the neutral category (27.7% indicating government response, 30.7% from the community, 44.4% from NGO community and 43.8% international community). This was followed by the respondents indicating that there has been no response by these entities (10.1% from government, 6.5% from the community, 21.2% from NGO community and 33.6% from the international community).
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This serves to highlight that there needs to be more coordinated approaches and actions by these entities and in some cases more immediate communication so that the communities will be aware of the actions taken by them.
Q72, Q73, Q74, Q75
140
120 35.8
33.6 100
80 36.5 20.9
60 8.5 12.8 30.6 27
Percentage Respondents of 15.5 40 17.8
17.7 8.5 13.3 8.6 20 31.8 33 10.9 14.1 16.7 4 0.40.50.70.8 0 Very good Good Neutral Bad Very bad Don't Know Response
How do you feel about the plans for conservations in your community by NGOs? How do you feel about forest protection and other protection plans by the government? How do you feel about the warning system for impending disasters or climate change? How do you feel about the appropriate land/agricaultural planning bearing in mind the impact of climate change?
Q72 asked the respondents ‘How do you feel about the appropriate land/agricultural planning bearing in mind the impact of climate change?’. 45.9% of the respondents indicated a positive
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response, and felt that appropriate planning is being carried out, while 33% were neutral in response and 20.7% indicated that land/agricultural planning was ‘bad’.
Q73 asked the respondents ‘How do you feel about the warming system for impending disaster or climate change?’ 40.3% of the respondents gave a positive response while 30.6% gave a neutral response and 28.6% responded in the negative.
Q74 asked the respondents ‘How do you feel about forest protection and other protection plans by the government? In response 54.3% of the respondents indicated that they felt positive about the protection plans by the government while 20.9% were neutral and 24.1% responded negatively. Q75 asked the respondents ‘How do you feel about plans for conservation in your community by NGOs?’ 48.6% felt positive about conversation plans by NGOS in their community, while 33.6% percent were neutral and 17% responded negatively.
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Q76 What do you think should be done to reduce the impact of climate change in your community?
Other 3.1
Coordination with government, NGOs etc. 6.3
Education and public awareness 18
Land use planning and management 7.6
Better garbage disposal 7.6 Response Replanting 13.1
Improve drainage 9.1
Increase mangrove 34.9
Don't Know 0.3
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Percentage of Respondents
Q76 asked ‘What do you think should be done to reduce the impact of climate change in your community? The majority of respondents (34.9%) indicated that increased mangroves would reduce the impact of climate change in their communities and make the quality of life better for all, while education and public awareness (18%), replanting (13.1%), improved drainage (9.1%), land use planning and management (7.6%), better garbage disposal (7.6%), and improved coordination with government, NGOs and other agencies (6.3%) were also seen as solution to reduce the impact of climate change in the community.
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Q77 What do you think is the greatest impact that climate change has on the women in your community?
33.3 35
30
24 25
20
14.4 13.8 15
8.9 10
Percentage ofRespondents 5.6 5
0 Don't Know Loss of income Reduction of Impact on Greater Greater social family financial financial interactions structure dependency on dependency on the state their partner/family Response
Q77 asked ‘What do you think is the greatest impact that climate change has on the women in the community?’ The majority of respondents (33.3%) indicated that it negatively affects social interaction by women in the community. This was followed by approximately one quarter of the respondents (24%) indicating that climate change negatively affected the ability of women to make a living due to reduced income. The data indicated that 14.4% of the respondents found that a significant impact of climate change was that it negative consequences for the family structure in the community. 13.8% of the respondents indicated that climate change caused women to have greater financial dependency on their family/partner and 5.6% indicated that climate change caused women them to have greater financial dependency on the state.
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Q78 What do you feel should be done specifically to help women deal with the impacts of climate change?
6.5 7.7 15.9 25.5
44.4
Don't Know Increased access to micro financing Increased access to training / re-tooling Increased engagement in formulating mitigation strategies Other
Q 78 asked ‘What do you feel should be done specifically to help women to deal with the impacts of climate change?’ 44.4% of the respondents indicated that there is a need for more access to training and retooling by women in the community, 25.5% indicated that there is a greater need for micro-financing for women, and 15.9% indicated the need for increased engagement in formulating mitigation strategies by women in the community.
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Q79 What do you think is the greatest impact climate change has on the youth in your community?
38.1 40
35
30
25 21.5
20
13.1 15 11.9
7.9 7.5 Percentage ofRespondents 10
5
0 Don't Know Loss of income Reduction of Impact on Greater Greater social family financial financial interactions structure dependency dependency on the state on their partner/family Response
While it is widely accepted that since climate change has the capacity and in contemporary times, and has actually decreased the availability of nutritious food, clean and potable water as well as a secure living environment, it has also led to malnutrition, poor health and forced migration which have combined to make youth (especially in the global South) subject to increased vulnerability.
In response to Q79 which asked ‘What do you think is the greatest impact that climate change has on the youth in your community?’ The majority of the respondents (38.1%) indicated that reduction in social interactions were problematic among the youth, followed by 21.5% of the respondents who indicated another impact of climate change among the youth was loss of income. 13.1% indicated that another impact of climate change on the youth was greater financial dependency on their family/partner, and 7.5% indicating greater financial dependency on the state by youth.
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Q80 What do you feel should be done specifically to help youth deal with the impacts of climate change?
Other 7.7
More opportunity to have inout into the planning of their 20.5 community
More opportunity to have inout into the planning of their future 21.4
Increased engagement in formulating mitigation strategies 10.5 Response
Increased access to training / re-tooling 23.7
Increased access to micro-financing 12.6
Don't Know 3.6
0 5 10 15 20 25 Percentage of Respondents
Q 80 asked ‘What do you feel should be done specifically to help youth deal with impacts of climate change?’ In response, 23.7% of the respondents indicated that youth should have increased access to training/re-tooling. 21.4% of the respondents indicated they youth should have more opportunity to have input into the planning for their future, and 20.5% indicated that youth should have more input into the planning of their community. Further 12.6% of the respondents indicated that youth should have increased access to micro-financing, while10.5% indicated that youth should have more engagement in formulating mitigation strategies.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Community Impact
The link between personal responsibility and efforts to lessen climate impact is expressed in response to Q24 when the majority of respondents (64.5%) indicated that the most important actions to be taken by individuals include the need to keep clean surrounds, to reduce waste and avoid pollution.
When asked what the community can do to lessen the effects of climate change, the majority (72.7%) indicated community awareness, recycling products and proper garbage control were most important (Q24).
In relation to the questions on environmental impact of climate change on the community of Weg naar Zee, the majority of respondents indicated that flooding affected homes, garbage disposal, roads, tourism, the ability of children to go to school and their general livelihood. 83.4% indicated that they were negatively affected by changes in temperature, and this is in keeping with the current literature which indicates that changes in temperature impacts areas, especially coastal zones. In light of the responses, it is recommended that the community along with support from NGOs and the private sector introduce a community food bank which can support residents in emergency situations. Given the regularity of climate related events, it is recommended that a flood shelter be established as part of the emergency disaster management arrangement which should be managed by the community members themselves with the support of public and private agencies.
Economic
With respect to making a living, 41.2% of the sample responded that climate change negatively affected their ability to make a living and this is also consistent with the literature which indicates that current weather patterns and events have negative effects on communities’ ability to make a living.
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When asked their views on mechanisms to deal with the effects of climate change, 36.1% indicated that they have to learn new ways of doing business (fishing/farming), while 51.6% indicated that they did not have to get out of the current business. These responses indicate a role for government and private sector in providing new opportunities for the community to make a better living. Interestingly 45.8% of the respondents indicated that government assistance was critical in order for them to make a better living. 48.6% indicated that they need to learn new skills to make a better living again advocating for governmental and private sector assistance.
The survey suggested that the skills necessary to survive cannot be sourced in the community (41.7%) and 50.4% indicated that the skills necessary to adapt to climate change are not present in the community, and 50.6% indicated that the mechanisms for learning and developing new skills are not available. When asked where to go to increase their skills, 51% indicated that they did not known where to go to get this assistance. In response to Q49, 60.1% disagreed with the view that they knew people in their community had been retrained to deal with climate change.
In the community, the government should introduce a strategy of economic diversification in order to reduce dependence on climate-sensitive resources such as fishing. The recommendation for diversification also echoes the recommendation of the Final National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan for Suriname (2014-2021) NCCSAP January 2015 that “Changes in biodiversity are very pronounced and fish populations, one of the main sources of food for the community, have declined drastically”.
Environment
It has been noted that sea level rise and increase in sea surface temperatures as well as the acidification of the ocean will produce a net loss of mangrove forests and coral reefs along with reduction of fish stock throughout the region. The Government of Suriname, aware of the potential negative consequences especially in the area of Weg naar Zee, must as a matter of priority and urgency develop strategic plans to implement adaptation activities and these should include crop diversification with the development and introduction of drought, flood and saline-tolerant crops. The tidal influence of the ocean can result in salt water intrusion to groundwater and rivers depending on the season and agricultural lands are expected to suffer from increased salinization
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which affects not only crops, but livestock and horticulture as well. This potential impact must be addressed as a matter of urgency by the Government of Suriname.
Women and Youth
It has been generally agreed that, especially in developing countries, climate change and frequent climate-related events have impacted communities and more particularly, women in the poor communities in the global South.
Further, the view has been widely expressed that in the developing world, social structures which disadvantage women very often place them at greater risk of harm due to climate change events (http.news.vice.com).
Additionally, gender inequalities, perpetuated by social customs and practices as well as economic structures in the South create conditions that expose women to high levels of vulnerability to climate change events. It is interesting to observe that a significant percentage indicated that climate change negatively affected the social interaction of women in the community. In this regard, social interaction involves the manner and process by which individuals act and react to those around them as well as their relationship to various structures in their community.
As societal structures are often weakened during climate change events, the negative effects become very visible. For instance, women in the community presented the view that in times of climate change events such as flooding and drought, they have to spend a greater and more disproportionate amount of time in search of food and potable and as managers of the homes, they can no longer afford the time to network with the other women in their community.
Additionally, 24% of the respondents in the survey were of the view that climate change impacted the capacity of women in the Weg naar Zee community to sustain their livelihoods and they suffered the effects of reduced income and greater financial dependence on the state and their family and partner. This points to the need to involve women in climate-resilient income - generating activities. In response to the question (Q77) on the impact of climate change on women, 14.4% of the respondents presented the view that climate change negatively impacted the family
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structure in the community. This referred to the fact that in the post-event phase, men frequently migrate in search of employment and leave a significant part of the process of response and reconstruction to the women, which at times affects the family structure and relations.
It has also been recognized that in spite of the greater threat to women caused by climate change, their needs are not adequately reflected in sustainability planning. In the survey, it was observed that in response to the question (Q78), “What do you feel should be done specifically to help women deal with the impacts of climate change’, 44.4% of the respondents presented the opinion that more training and retooling was critical to fully empower women in the community.
There is the general view that there should be greater equality of access to education and training by women so that communities can develop a more robust response to climate change. Access to further training and retooling can also greatly improve the social and economic status of women and the respondents in the Weg naar Zee community also viewed access to micro-financing as a critical component which should be attached to the training process so as to further empower women to mitigate the impact of climate change.
The establishment of gender-sensitive policies is an important factor, in dealing with the impact of climate change. In addition, women can play leadership roles and therefore it is recommended that increased access to training with can be provided by the government, the international community, and NGOs, must be placed as a priority, in order to ensure a more gender-responsive action in the community. The promotion of a gender-balance in programmes towards mitigation, must insure the participation and empowerment of women and this is a priority.
The building of the capacity of women as leaders is critical so that they acquire the skills for managing emergencies, since as has been observed that women generally understand in a significant way the local causes of changes in climatic and environmental conditions. It is also recommended that there be a formal establishment of women’s networks that can serve to provide both awareness and responses, to climate change events.
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Q65 indicated that business activities are impacted by climate change (56.1), and that sporting and recreation activities for the youth are negatively affected (52.7%). The empowerment of youth for greater participation and contribution to policy making will ensure the sustained engagement of youth in ameliorating the impact of climate change and it is therefore recommended that youth participation in this process be prioritized, in the Weg naar Zee community.
Awareness
While anecdotal evidence suggests that the majority of Suriname’s population is not aware of the effects of climate change, including sea level rise; this is not the case for the coastal community of Weg naar Zee. When asked about their awareness of climate change, (50.9%) answered in the affirmative, (33.7% indicated ‘a fair amount’ and 17.2% indicated ‘a great deal’). Given the intensity and regularity of climate change events, it is recommend that a structured programme be established and that the bottom-up approach to awareness formulation be given priority.
Because the majority of the sample indicated that they attained information about climate change from different sources, with the majority receiving this information from the television medium, the newspapers, from social media and from websites; this highlights the fact that there is a significant amount of information being transferred by these media. This suggests that there should be sustained dissemination of information related to climate change through all the media and those efforts be made to ensure that it reaches its target community in an adequate and timely manner.
Public Education
It is interesting to observe (Q25) that approximately one third of the sample presented the view that public education is the most important action to be taken by the government of Suriname to lessen the impact of climate change. Interestingly, 26.6% of the respondents indicated that ‘proper laws’ were critical in lessening the impact of climate change.
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When asked about the rapidity of response from different organizations, the survey indicated that the overall response was less than satisfactory. Specifically the majority of the survey did not have a positive response but indicated a neutral response. In the category of ‘none’, 10.1% of the survey said there was no response from government, 6.5% indicated no response from the community, 21.2% indicated no response from NGO community and 33.6% indicated non-response from the international community. The responses should be more timely and targeted to the specific needs of the communities.
Government, NGOs and Private Sector
The research highlighted the view that the sample population believed that government (37.8%) was responsible for addressing the issues of climate change, 27% indicated it was the duty of private citizens and 18.1% responded that business/industry was responsible for addressing the issues of climate change; while only 5.6% of respondents believed that community organizations were responsible.
When asked for the most important actions that can be implemented to adapt to climate change, more than 50% of the respondents indicated that there should be more efficient generation of electricity and this speaks to the issue of alternative energy sources and supply. It also suggests the need therefore for urgent action by both state and non-state actors to consider the implementation of systems of alternative energy to facilitate better responses to climate change.
The government must also consider integrating climate change issues in its planning and budgeting across ministries and sectors to ensure that the Weg naar Zee community can have adequate resources in the struggle against climate change. The Government of Suriname must also introduce a comprehensive disaster management system which can be accessed in case of emergency in the community.
While the community as aware of the impact of climate change the majority of the sample (71.4%) indicated that the community of Weg naar Zee is not prepared to handle extreme climate change events and there is a significant role for the government, private sector and NGOs to assist them in dealing with climate change.
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In relation to warning systems 40.3% indicated that warning systems were provided for impending disaster or climate related events (Q73), and 54.3% of respondents indicated that they felt positive about the forest protection plans by the government.
With respect to NGO activity (Q 75), 48.6% of the respondents indicated that they felt positive about plans established by NGOs for conservation in the Weg naar Zee community. It is interesting to observe that 34.9% of the sample population indicated that mangroves would reduce the impact of climate change on the community and improve their quality of life; while 18.6% indicated that education and public awareness should be increased in order to contribute the reduction of the impact of climate change in Weg naar Zee.
Our recommendation is also replicated in the Final National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan for Suriname (2014-2021) CCCCC, January 2015, which also recommended “that the Government of Suriname commits to integrate climate change considerations into national development planning and budget setting recognising the challenges the country will face. Integrating climate compatible development as a core deliverable of future National Development Plans cascading down into Ministerial and Departmental planning is essential. “
It is interesting to observe that Final National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan for Suriname (2014-2021) CCCCC, January 2015, places climate-compatible development “as a core national planning deliverable which will begin the process of institutionalising climate change.” This suggests that the country’s present institutional arrangement for climate change governance is fragmented among stakeholders and it is recommended that efforts be pursued to have a coherent multi-sectoral climate compatible development plan.
This report also supports the view expressed by the awareness raising and integrating traditional knowledge into education as well as knowledge sharing and learning platforms must continue to be seen as critical in the Final National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan for Suriname (2014-2021). This also supports the current report’s recommendation that public awareness programs in the Weg naar Zee should be sustained and enhanced. This will also include
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gender equality in education, extension services, sharing indigenous, traditional and local knowledge, participatory action research, social learning, knowledge sharing and learning platforms.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Algemeen Bureau voor de Statiskiek; National Census; Suriname; 2012.
CARIBSAVE; Climate Change Risk Profile for Suriname: Summary Document; Prepared by The CARIBSAVE Partnership with funding from UKaid from the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID); March 2012.
Deltares; Integrated Coastal Zone Management; Suriname.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis; Working Group I Contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; 2013.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report; A Report on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; 2007.
National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (NIMOS); First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Suriname under the UNDP/GEF Project “Enabling Suriname to prepare its Initial National Communication in Response to its Commitments to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change” (UNFCCC); 2005.
Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) Final National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan for Suriname (2014-2021), January 2015
The Republic of Suriname; Algemeen Decreet A-26 Decreet; 16 October, 1987.
World Bank Report; Turn Down The Heat: Confronting The New Climate Normal; Washington DC; 2014.
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For further information UNDP Suriname Gonggrijpstraat 25 Paramaribo, Suriname Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.undp.org/content/suriname/en/home/
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