Perceptions of Climate Change, Sea Level Rise and Factors Affecting the Coastal Marine Ecosystem of Palawan, Philippines

Understanding local community perceptions of climate change is essential in developing effective risk communication tools and in developing mitigation strategies to reduce the vulnerability of coastal areas.In this study, we examined coastal communities' perceptions of climate change as a coastal threat, as a driver of rising sea levels, and as a factor affecting coral reefs and seagrass beds.The perceptions were gathered by conducting face-to-face surveys with 291 respondents from the coastal areas of Taytay, Aborlan and Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Philippines.Results showed that most participants (82%) perceived that climate change is happening and a great majority (75%) perceived it as a threat to the coastal marine environment.Sea level rise was perceived by most participants (60%) to cause coastal erosion and affect the coastal ecosystem, but they also perceived that coastal erosion can be prevented by mangroves.On coral reefs and seagrass ecosystems, anthropogenic pressures and climate change were perceived to have a high impact, while marine livelihoods had a low impact.Furthermore, local temperature rise, excessive rainfall and declining income were found to be significant risk predictors of climate change impact perceptions.Climate change perceptions were found to vary with household income, education, age group, and geographical location.The results suggest that addressing poverty, improving basic education, and effectively communicating climate change risks can improve knowledge of climate change impacts.