Perception of climate change and its effect on human health: A preliminary survey among the staff at Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Climate change has been a global issue and Sri Lanka is no exception. The projected temperature rise rainfall change impact on crops yield and human health are at alarming levels along with natural disasters. Awareness on minimizing the adverse climate change to mitigate becomes mandatory. This preliminary study among the employees of Eastern University, Sri Lanka (EUSL) aims at analyzing their perception with regard to the climate change, happening in their living vicinity. A number of fifty four staff volunteered to enroll in this study. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to gather data through statements with five point Likert scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square-goodness of test. Among the participants 43 (80%) has educational qualifications GCE Advanced level or beyond and 61% were holding the intermediate position. 61.1% responded that there has been high level of change in the climate in their living environment during last ten years with regard to the increase of heat and low rainfall . The result was statistically significant for chi-squared goodness- of-fit test (p<0.05). With regard to the crop production in recent years, the response was that 37% said no change in yield of agricultural crops while 57.4% said reduction in the yield (p<0.05). Majority, (85.1%) responded increase in the illnesses in recent years and illness such as Dengue, Bronchial asthma and common cold were the most common illnesses. The participants opinions regarding the steps taken to minimize/mitigate climate change were categorized into three topics such as Preservation of nature, Control of greenhouse gas emission and Making awareness among public. Majority of the participants prefer to know more on the climate change issues. The study thus concludes that the staff in the study are well aware on the ill effects of the climate change on the environment, crops yield and human health, measures to be taken to minimize them and prefer further training indicating that climate change education should need to be an agenda in university activities.