Perceptions and representations of climate change to the populations in their living environment in the Casamance River Basin (Ziguinchor Region)

Abstract

The cognitive dimension of climate change remains little invested. However, many studies show the importance of the representations of individuals to allow better adaptation of territories in the face of climate change. Indeed, an analysis of the representations and perceptions of individuals of climate change and the risks associated with it should make it possible to strengthen the adaptive capacity of territories and societies in the face of this phenomenon. A better understanding of how social representations of climate change are constructed will facilitate citizen awareness. In an approach of integrated management of territories, taking into account representations goes in the direction of a co-construction and acceptability of adaptation strategies. It is in this perspective that the present work aims to evaluate the trend and the perception of the populations on the evolution of temperatures and precipitations in the Casamance basin. The data are the result of an exploratory survey of 515 households in the Casamance River basin. The results of the statistical treatments show a significantly increasing average annual maximum, minimum, and mean temperature trend and a decreasing trend in annual and seasonal precipitation in terms of magnitude and intensity. These trends have been verified with the perception of the populations and have an impact on both the environment (drought, water deficit...) and the socio-economic environment (agriculture, livestock, health, social life…). Faced with the adverse effects of climate change, the populations surveyed propose multiple initiatives and develop various adaptation strategies, based on endogenous knowledge. In the agricultural sector, for example, more innovative agriculture is being proposed, even if people have different views on the measures that stakeholders need to pursue to implement it to address climate change.