- About six in 10 Batswana (58%) say they have not heard of climate change (Figure 1). o Citizens with post-secondary education (67%) and urbanites (54%) are more likely than less-educated Batswana (30%-37%) and rural (34%) and semi-urban (43%) residents to say they are aware of climate change (Figure 2).
- Among respondents who have heard of climate change: o The vast majority say it is making life in Botswana either “somewhat worse” (24%) or “much worse” (61%) (Figure 3). o About two-thirds believe that climate change is mainly caused by human activity (61%) or a combination of natural processes and human activity (4%) (Figure 4). o Three-fifths (59%) believe that people, businesses, and governments in other parts of the world are primarily responsible for causing climate change (Figure 5).
- To respond to changing weather patterns and environmental degradation, majorities endorse greater investment in climate-resilient infrastructure (76%), increased pressure on rich countries to provide more climate aid (66%), and more funding for wind and solar energy (57%), even if it increases the price of electricity (Figure 6).
Only about four in 10 Batswana are aware of climate change, but majorities of citizens support greater investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind technologies, the latest Afrobarometer findings reveal.
Two-thirds of Batswana also support pressuring developed countries to provide climate aid to address changing weather patterns and environmental degradation.
Citizens with post-secondary education are roughly twice as likely as less-educated Batswana to have heard about climate change.
Among respondents who are aware of climate change, the vast majority say it is making life in Botswana worse. Two-thirds of informed citizens believe climate change is primarily caused by human activity or a combination of natural processes and human activity, while six in 10 say people, businesses, and governments in other parts of the world bear chief responsibility for causing climate change.