J. Appl. Environ. Biol. Sci., 9(5)1-10, 2019
© 2019, TextRoad Publication
ISSN: 2090-4274
Journal of Applied Environmental
and Biological Sciences
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Corresponding Author: Younas Khan, PhD Scholar Department of Rural Sociology, The University of Agriculture
Peshawar Pakistan. Younas.soc@gmail.com ; Mobile No. +923451500032
Effects of Climate Change on Human Behaviour: A People Perspective
Rahat Naz
1
, Mussawar Shah
2
, Humera Jamal
3
, Younas Khan
4*
1
Mphill Scholar, Department of Rural Sociology, The University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan
2
Professor and Chairman, Department of Rural Sociology, The University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan
3
Lecturer Department of Rural Sociology, The University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan
4
PhD Scholar Department of Rural Sociology, The University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan.
Received: January 27, 2019
Accepted: April 12, 2019
ABSTRACT
Aim: Climate change effects are not limited to a single sector of life but it has far reaching effects on behaviour
and attitudes of a person or community in a holistic manner. With passing time, climate change is showing its
unpleasant consequences in one form or another. Human behaviour has a significant importance in altering and
modifying the atrocities of climate change.
Methodology: In this research paper, Tehsil Gagra of District Buner Pakistan was selected to analyze the
human behaviour as an independent variable and climate change effects on local people lives as a dependent
variable. Out of 3 Union Councils (UC), 2 were randomly selected and from both the UCs 370 respondents were
taken as a total sample size. Data was collected from the local respondents through interviews, & collected data
was analyzed through medium of central dispersion, univariate and bivariate statistical techniques. Chi-Square
test was used to find the association between the targeted dependent and independent variables.
Findings: Findings of the data collected showed that there was found a significant relationship (P<0.05)
between increased apprehensions and community practical measures towards climate change, rural people
settlement has increased pressure on natural resources, increased agro-forestry and awareness among the locals
with the climate change effects on human lives. Moreover, there was also found a high negative significant
relationship (P>0.05) between government has taken sufficient actions to avert the climate change, and
government has the proper system to cope with hazardous situation, with climate change effects on human lives.
Conclusion: As regards to the findings, it is suggested that there is need of awareness among the local
population about the climate change and a felt need of increase the coordination between the local and
international community to give a framework to mitigate the losses in the aftermath of climate change by
prioritizing the issue of climate change on urgent basis.
KEYWORDS: Climate Change, Behavioural Change, Change in community, Government response, Pakistan
1. INTRODUCTION
In the past, the role of man was ignored in the contribution to the climate change. Along with that, the climate
change phenomenon was considered as vogue and having no belief on the processes related to climate change.
With time, scientists’ community presented their views and opinions and at later time, having the agreed
consensus that anthropogenic activities and involvement of man in the natural balanced systems has added to the
climate change and disrupted the natural stability of ecological processes respectively. Research shows that with
change in natural processes, it is affecting the behaviour and especially health of the societies and communities.
With advancement in social and psychological sciences, it is predicted that climate change has shown its effects
on the human behaviour. Such effects are not limited to the shocks, severe weather events and epidemic
diseases. But it has a range of impacts on the socio-economic conditions and demographic patterns (McMachiel
et al., 2006).
Behaviour of the humans is correlated with climate change. The recent trends in global climate change is the
through activities of human including the releasing of the harmful gases and pollutants from the industries,
automobiles and furnaces. Such gases are depleting the protective layer of ozone which scan the ultra-violet rays
coming from the sun. On the other side, because of the effects of climate change, human behaviour is also
changing with respect to norms, attitudes and social customs. Cultural and psychological problems like tension
and stress is also negatively affect the human behaviour (Swim et al., 2011). Climate change affects the social
customs, attitudes and norms of a society. Human influence has been the dominant reason behind the observed
warming of climate since the mid-20th century. Bondage of customs and traditions link the people with each
other. Recent surge in the world temperature and the level of susceptibility to climate change is influencing the
bonds of society which emerged in the early age of the human civilization and is considered the foundation
stone for a strong relations among people. Study conducted in this regard shows that rise in temperature creates
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