Abstract
This study is concerned with the perceptions of university students in Bangladesh regarding climate change. A self-administered questionnaire survey was filed out by 650 final-year undergraduate students studying in a variety of academic disciplines at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh. This study found that a majority of respondents perceive temperatures in Bangladesh as increasing and rainfall as decreasing. A majority also think that climate change is due to human activities such as deforestation, dredging rivers, extracting sand from rivers, the development of industry, and carbon emissions from vehicles, while a significant but smaller proportion perceived it as punishment from God for human sin. We examined the effects of selected variables—students’ sex, religious affiliation, involvement in an environmental organization, completion of university courses related to the environment or climate change, academic discipline of study, and past experience of extreme weather events in their home locality—using three multinomial logistic regression (MLR) models on perceived changes in temperature, perceived changes in rainfall, and perceived causes of climate change. The MLR analysis regarding the perceived changes in temperature indicates that effects of sex, experience of extreme weather event in their home locality, and the completion of climate change-related courses are statistically significant. For perceived changes in rainfall, these are significantly explained by all predictors except completion of a climate change-related course. And finally, for perceived causes of climate change, the effects of students’ experiences with extreme weather events in their hometown and involvement in an environmental organization were found to be statistically significant.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abegunde AA (2017) Local communities’ belief in climate change in a rural region of Sub-Saharan Africa. Environ Dev Sustain 19:1489–1522. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-016-9816-5
Ahmed MNQ, Haq SMA (2019) Indigenous people’s perceptions about climate change, forest resource management, and coping strategies: a comparative study in Bangladesh. Environ Dev Sustain 21:679–708. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-017-0055-1
Akter T (2009) Climate change and flow of environmental displacement in Bangladesh. http://www.unnayan.org/documents/Climatechange/climate_change_flow_environmental_displacement.pdf. Accessed 26 June 2020
Alam GMM, Alam K, Mushtaq S (2017) Climate change perceptions and local adaptation strategies of hazard-prone rural households in Bangladesh. Clim Risk Manag 17:52–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2017.06.006
Almanasyeh N, Shehadeh N (2013) Perception of first year students at the University of Jordan to climate change. Dirasat Hum Soc Sci 40:315–323
Asada H, Matsumoto J (2009) Effects of rainfall variation on rice production in the Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin. Clim Res 38:249–260
Ayanlade A, Jegede MO (2016) Climate change education and knowledge among Nigerian University graduates. Weather Clim Soc 8:465–473. https://doi.org/10.1175/WCAS-D-15-0071.1
Barr S (2007) Factors influencing environmental attitudes and behaviors: a U.K. case study of household waste management. Environ Behav 39:435–473. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916505283421
Barua U, Akhter M, Ansary M (2016) District-wise multi-hazard zoning of Bangladesh. Nat Hazards 82:1895–1918. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2276-2
Battaglini A, Barbeau G, Bindi M, Badeck FW (2009) European wine growers’ perceptions of climate change Impact and options for adaptation. Reg Environ Change 9:61–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-008-0053-9
Beck A, Sinatra GM, Lombardi D (2013) Leveraging higher-education instructors in the climate literacy effort factors related to university faculty’s propensity to teach climate change. Int J Clim Change Impacts Responses 4:1–27. https://doi.org/10.18848/1835-7156/CGP/v04i04/37181
Bhuyan MDI, Islam MM, Bhuiyan MEK (2018) A trend analysis of temperature and rainfall to predict climate change for northwestern region of Bangladesh. Am J Clim Change 07:115–134. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajcc.2018.72009
Brody SD, Zahran S, Vedlitz A, Grover H (2008) Examining the relationship between physical vulnerability and public perceptions of global climate change in the United States. Environ Behav 40:72–95. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916506298800
Bunce M, Rosendo S, Brown K (2010) Perceptions of climate change, multiple stressors and livelihoods on marginal African coasts. Environ Dev Sustain 12:407–440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-009-9203-6
Carlton SJ, Jacobson SK (2013) Climate change and coastal environmental risk perceptions in Florida. J Environ Manag 130:32–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.08.038
Carr WA, Patterson M, Yung L, Spencer D (2012) The faithful skeptics: evangelical religious beliefs and perceptions of climate change. J Study Religion Nat Cult 6:276–299. https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.v6i3.276
CCC (2009) Characterizing country settings: development of a base document in the backdrop of climate change impacts. Climate Change Cell, DoE, MoEF; Component 4b, CDMP, MoFDM, Dhaka
CEGIS (2012) Prediction of river bank erosion along the Jamuna, the Ganges, the Padma and the lower Meghna rivers in 2012. Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), Dhaka
Couzin J (2007) Opening doors to native knowledge. Science 315:1518–1519. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.315.5818.1518
Debela N, Mohammed C, Bridle K, Corkrey R, McNeil D (2015) Perception of climate change and its impact by smallholders in pastoral/agropastoral systems of Borana, South Ethiopia. SpringerPlus 4:236. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-015-1012-9
Dunlap RE, Jacques PJ (2013) Climate change denial books and conservative think tanks: exploring the connection. Am Behav Sci 57:699–731. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764213477096
Eckstein D, Künzel V, Schäfer L, Winges M (2019) Global Climate Risk Index 2020: who suffers most from extreme weather events? Weather-related loss events in 2018 and 1999–2018. Germanwatch, Bonn. https://germanwatch.org/en/cri. Accessed 23 May 2020
Fabiyi OO, Oloukoi J (2013) Indigenous knowledge system and local adaptation strategies to flooding in coastal rural communities of Nigeria. J Indig Soc Dev 2:1–19
Ferdows J, Ahmed SMZ (2015) An empirical investigation of information skills among undergraduate students at Dhaka University. Libr Rev 64:274–284. https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-11-2014-0132
Filho WL (2010) Universities and climate change—introducing climate change at university programmes. Springer, Berlin
Fischer G, Shah M, Tubiello FN, van Velhuizen H (2005) Socio-economic and climate change impacts on agriculture: an integrated assessment, 1990–2080. Philos Trans R Soc B 360:2067–2073. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2005.1744
GoB (2010) Comprehensive disaster management programme, Phase II (2010–14). Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Dhaka. https://www.preventionweb.net/files/globalplatform/entry_bg_paper~cdmpphaseii.pdf. Accessed 25 May 2020
Habiba U, Hassan AWR, Shaw R (2013) Livelihood adaptation in the drought prone areas of Bangladesh. In: Shaw R, Mallick F, Islam A (eds) Climate change adaptation actions in Bangladesh. Springer, Tokyo, pp 227–252
Haq SMA (2013) Nexus between perception, environment and fertility: a study on indigenous people in Bangladesh. Sustain Dev 21:372–384. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.515
Haq SMA, Ahmed KJ (2017) Does the perception of climate change vary with the socio-demographic dimensions? A study on vulnerable populations in Bangladesh. Nat Hazards 85:1759–1785. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2664-7
Haque MA, Yamamoto SS, Malik AA, Sauerborn R (2012) Households’ perception of climate change and human health risks: a community perspective. Environ Health 11:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-11-1
Hartter J (2010) Resource use and ecosystem services in a forest park landscape. Soc Nat Resour 23:207–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920903360372
Hartter J, Stampone MD, Ryan SJ, Kirner K, Chapman CA, Goldman A (2012) Patterns and perceptions of climate change around a biodiversity conservation hotspot. PLoS ONE 7:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0032408
Hasan MK, Kumar L (2019) Comparison between meteorological data and farmer perceptions of climate change and vulnerability in relation to adaptation. J Environ Manag 237:54–62
Hasan MK, Kumar L (2020) Meteorological data and farmers’ perception of the coastal climate in Bangladesh. Sci Total Environ 704:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135384
Hasan Z, Nursey-Bray M (2018) Artisan fishers’ perception of climate change and disasters in coastal Bangladesh. J. Environ. Planning Manag. 61:1204–1223. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2017.1339026
Huda M (2013) Understanding indigenous people’s perception on climate change and climatic hazards: a case study of Chakma indigenous communities in Rangamati Sadar Upazila of Rangamati District, Bangladesh. Nat Hazards 65:2147–2159. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-012-0467-z
Islam MM, Sado K (2000) Development of flood hazard maps of Bangladesh using NOAA-AVHRR images with GIS. Hydrol Sci J 45:337–355. https://doi.org/10.1080/02626660009492334
Islam MM, Barnes A, Toma L (2013) An investigation into climate change scepticism among farmers. J Environ Psychol 34:137–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.02.002
Islam S, Nowrin S, Mostofa SKM (2017) Knowledge sharing pattern among the arts faculty students of Dhaka university: a survey. DESIDOC J Libr Inf Technol 37:243–248. https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.37.4.9952
Jacobs JE, Simpkins SD (2005) Mapping leaks in the math, science, and technology pipeline. New Dir Child Adolesc Dev 110:3–6. https://doi.org/10.1002/cd.145
Kabir M, Rahman MB, Smith W, Lusha M, Azim S, Milton A (2016) Knowledge and perception about climate change and human health: findings from a baseline survey among vulnerable communities in Bangladesh. BMC Public Health 16:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-2930-3
Kabir A, Miah S, Islam A (2018) Factors influencing eating behavior and dietary intake among resident students in a public university in Bangladesh: a qualitative study. PLoS ONE 13:1–17. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198801
Kahan DM, Peters E, Wittlin M, Slovic P, Ouellette LL, Braman D, Mandel G (2012) The polarizing impact of science literacy and numeracy on perceived climate change risks. Nat Clim Change 2:1–4
Karim MF, Mimura N (2008) Impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on cyclonic storm surge floods in Bangladesh. Glob Environ Change 18:490–500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2008.05.002
KeleŞ Ö, Gilbertson KL, Uzun N (2016) Cognitive structures of university students about environmental education, climate change and consumption concepts. Asia-Pac Forum Sci Learn Teach 17:1–17
Kim K, Moon SG (2012) Determinations of the pro-environmental behavior of Korean immigration in the U.S. Int Rev Public Adm 17:99–123
Kleinosky LR, Yarnal B, Fisher A (2007) Vulnerability of Hampton Roads, Virginia to storm-surge flooding and sea-level rise. Nat Hazards 40:43–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-006-0004-z
McCright AM (2010) The effects of gender on climate change knowledge and concern in the American public. Popul Environ 32:66–87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-010-0113-1
Mobley C, Vagias WM, DeWard SL (2010) Exploring additional determinants of environmentally responsible behavior: the influence of environmental literature and environmental attitudes. Environ Behav 42:420–447. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916508325002
Mohsenipour M, Shahid S, Eun-sung Chung, Wang Xiao-jun (2018) Changing pattern of droughts during cropping seasons of Bangladesh. Water Resour Manag 32:1555–1568. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-017-1890-4
Morgado F, Bacelar-Nicolau P, von Osten JR, Santos P, Bacelar-Nicolau L, Farooq H, Alves F, Soares AMVM, Azeiteiro UM (2017) Assessing university student perceptions and comprehension of climate change (Portugal, Mexico and Mozambique). Int J Clim Change Strateg Manag 9:316–336. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-08-2016-0123
Mugambiwa SS, Dzomonda O (2018) Climate change and vulnerability discourse by students at a South African university. J Disaster Risk Stud 10:1–6. https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v10i1.476
Munshi SA, Mostafa MG, Alam MM (2018) Uses of social networking sites among postgraduate students at university of Rajshahi, Bangladesh: a study. DESIDOC J Libr Inf Technol 38:34–40. https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.38.1.11466
Nigatu AS, Asamoah BO, Kloos H (2014) Knowledge and perceptions about the health impact of climate change among health sciences students in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 14:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-587
Rahman MH, Alam K (2016) Forest dependent indigenous communities’ perception and adaptation to climate change through local knowledge in the protected area—a Bangladesh case study. Climate 4:1–25. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli4010012
Rahman MR, Lateh H (2017) Climate change in Bangladesh: a spatio-temporal analysis and simulation of recent temperature and rainfall data using GIS and time series analysis model. Theor Appl Climatol 128:27–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-015-1688-3
Rahman SMA, Tasmin S, Uddin MK, Islam MT, Sujauddin M (2014) Climate change awareness among the high school students: case study from a climate vulnerable country. Int J Built Environ Sustain 1:18–26. https://doi.org/10.11113/ijbes.v1.n1.4
Rana M, Sayem A, Karim R, Islam N, Islam R, Zaman TK, Hossain G (2015) Assessment of knowledge regarding tuberculosis among non-medical university students in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 15:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2071-0
Salauddin M, Ashikuzzaman M (2012) Nature and extent of population displacement due to climate change triggered disasters in south-western coastal region of Bangladesh. Int J Clim Change Strateg Manag 4:54–65. https://doi.org/10.1108/17568691211200218
Salehi S, Nejad ZP, Mahmoudi H, Burkart S (2016) Knowledge of global climate change: view of Iranian university students. Int Res Geogr Environ Educ 25:226–243. https://doi.org/10.1080/10382046.2016.1155322
Salick J, Zhendong F, Byg A (2009) Eastern Himalayan alpine plant ecology, Tibetan ethnobotany, and climate change. Glob Environ Change 19:147–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2009.01.008
Santos PT, Bacelar-Nicolau P, Pardal MA, Bacelar-Nicolau L, Azeiteiro UM (2016) Assessing student perceptions and comprehension of climate change in Portuguese higher education institutions. In: Filho WL, Adamson K, Dunk R, Illingworth S, Azeiteiro UM, Alves F (eds) Implementing climate change adaptation in cities and communities integrating strategies and educational approaches, 1st edn. Springer, Basel, pp 221–236
Shahid S (2008) Spatial and temporal characteristics of droughts in the western part of Bangladesh. Hydrol Process 22:2235–2247. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.6820
Shahid S (2009) Spatio-temporal variability of rainfall over bangladesh during the time period 1969–2003. Asia-Pac J Atmos Sci 45:375–389
Shahid S (2010a) Recent trends in the climate of Bangladesh. Clim Res 42:185–193. https://doi.org/10.3354/cr00889
Shahid S (2010b) Rainfall variability and the trends of wet and dry periods in Bangladesh. Int J Climatol 30:2299–2313. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.2053
Shahid S (2012a) Rainfall variability and changes in Bangladesh during the last fifty years. In: Martín OE, Roberts TM (eds) Rainfall: behavior, forecasting, and distribution. Nova Science Publishers, New York, pp 23–44
Shahid S (2012b) Spatial assessment of drought hazard, vulnerability and risk in Bangladesh. In: Neves DF, Sanz JD (eds) Droughts: new research. Nova Science Publishers, New York, pp 215–242
Shahid S, Khairulmaini OS (2009) Spatio-temporal variability of rainfall over Bangladesh during the time period 1969–2003. Asia-Pac J Atmos Sci 45:375–389
Shahid S, Harun SB, Katimon A (2012) Changes in diurnal temperature range in Bangladesh during the time period 1961–2008. Atmos Res 118:260–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2012.07.008
Shahid S, Wang XJ, Harun SB, Shamsudin SB, Ismail T, Minhans A (2016) Climate variability and changes in the major cities of Bangladesh: observations, possible impacts and adaptation. Reg Environ Change 16:459–471. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-015-0757-6
Shahiduzzaman M, Ali MK, Islam MR (2017) Factors influencing the academic performance of undergraduate students of private universities in Bangladesh: modeling approach. Hum Evolut 32:43–55. https://doi.org/10.14673/HE2017121028
Shameem MIM, Momtaz S, Kiem AS (2015) Local perceptions of and adaptation to climate variability and change: the case of shrimp farming communities in the coastal region of Bangladesh. Clim Change 133:253–266
Shi J, Visschers VHM, Siegrist M, Arvai J (2016) Knowledge as a driver of public perceptions about climate change reassessed. Nat Clim Change 6:759–762. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2997
Shongwe P, Masuku MB, Manyatsi AM (2014) Factors influencing the choice of climate change adaptation strategies by households: a case of Mpolonjeni Area Development Programme (ADP) in Swaziland. J Agric Stud 2:86–98. https://doi.org/10.5296/jas.v2i1.4890
Smith N, Leiserowitz A (2012) The rise of global warming skepticism: exploring affective image associations in the United States over time. Risk Anal 32:1021–1032. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.2012.01801.x
Smith WJJ, Liu Z, Safi AS, Chie K (2014) Climate change perception, observation and policy support in rural Nevada: a comparative analysis of Native Americans, non-native ranchers and farmers and mainstream America. Environ Sci Policy 42:101–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2014.03.007
Speranza CI, Kiteme B, Ambenje P, Wiesmann U, Makali S (2010) Indigenous knowledge related to climate variability and change: insights from droughts in semi-arid areas of former Makueni District, Kenya. Clim Change 100:295–315. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-009-9713-0
Start Fund Bangladesh (2019) Bangladesh: riverbank erosion. Disaster Summary Sheet. https://reliefweb.int/report/bangladesh/disaster-summary-sheet-bangladesh-riverbank-erosion-21-march-2019. Accessed 20 May 2020
Stevenson KT, Peterson MN, Bondell HD, Moore SE, Carrier SJ (2014) Overcoming skepticism with education: interacting influences of worldview and climate change knowledge on perceived climate change risk among adolescents. Clim Change 126:293–304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-014-1228-7
Sultana M, Mahumud RA, Sarker AR, Hossain SM (2016) Hand hygiene knowledge and practice among university students: evidence from private universities of Bangladesh. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 9:13–20. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S98311
SUST Admission 2014–15 apply by SMS. http://www.dhakatimes.net/sust-admission-sust-edu/
Taylor A, de Bruin WB, Dessai S (2014) Climate change beliefs and perceptions of weather-related changes in the United Kingdom. Risk Anal 34:1995–2004. https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.12234
Thakur P, Laha C, Aggarwal S (2012) River bank erosion hazard study of river Ganga, upstream of Farakka barrage using remote sensing and GIS. Nat Hazards 61:967–987. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-011-9944-z
The Asia Foundation (2012) Climate change perception survey. The Asia Foundation, Dhaka. https://asiafoundation.org/resources/pdfs/ClimateChangeperceptionsurvey.pdf. Accessed 27 Dec 2016
Tobler C, Visschers VHM, Siegrist M (2012) Consumers’ knowledge about climate change. Clim Change 114:189–209. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-011-0393-1
Turner WR, Oppenheimer M, Wilcove DS (2009) A force to fight global warming. Nature 462:278–279. https://doi.org/10.1038/462278a
University Grant Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh (n.d.) List of Universities. Retrieved from http://www.ugc.gov.bd/ on 25 May 2020
Wachholz S, Artz N, Chene D (2014) Warming to the idea: university students’ knowledge and attitudes about climate change. Int J Sustain High Educ 15:128–141. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-03-2012-0025
Wolf J, Moser SC (2011) Individual understandings, perceptions, and engagement with climate change: insights from in-depth studies across the world. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Clim Change 2:547–569. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.120
World Bank (2013) Turn down the heat: climate extreme regional impact and case for resilience. The World Bank, Washington DC. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/climatechange/publication/turn-down-the-heat-climate-extremes-regional-impacts-resilience. Accessed 30 May 2020
Younger M, Morrow-Almeida HR, Vindigni SM, Dannenberg AL (2008) The built environment, climate change, and health. Am J Prev Med 35:517–526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2008.08.017
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions. We also would like to thank the student assistants who helped to collect the data and the student respondents from the SUST’s 2013–2014 academic year.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Appendix
Appendix
See Table 5.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Haq, S.M.A., Ahmed, K.J. Perceptions about climate change among university students in Bangladesh. Nat Hazards 103, 3683–3713 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-020-04151-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-020-04151-0