| dc.description.abstract | Global warming is a serious environmental risk confronting the 2151 century. However, very little is known about public perception on the seriousness of global warming in the local scene. The identification of anthropogenic global climate change was recognized 200 years ago, yet concerted efforts to reduce the hazardous greenhouse gases began less than 30 years ago. The threat and risks associated with climate change include threat to nature, water and food shortages, increased diseases and decreased living standards. Emission of carbon dioxide into the air is the single most contributor of global warming into the atmosphere. The purpose of the study was to establish the factors influencing awareness of global warming in Nakuru Municipality.
Global warming should therefore concern us all because public information and communication on mitigation and adaptation is our best survival weapon. Global warming awareness should include public education, effective information flow, public involvement and a priority in the national agenda. Understanding of public awareness will help vulnerable populations deal with changing weather patterns. Key elements to target for perception change are values, beliefs, thoughts and social relationships. The study assessed public literacy on global warming, flow of information, public participation and the priority it's given in the national agenda in Nakuru Municipality of Nakuru County. However, people in the estates did not need special knowledge to answer the questionnaire. The study used descriptive survey design in a randomly sampled population.
A sample size of 109 was used. Primary data was analysed by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Microsoft excel software. The primary data wascollected using questionnaire method and the data analyzed using percentages and frequency. Presentation was done using tables. The importance of research results was to inform the public, policy makers, government agencies, civil societies, scientists and political leaders in order to attenuate or amplify impacts of global warming. The study found that there was high illiteracy on global warming in the public in N akuru Municipality and that the flow of global warming information from government agencies and NGOs was not effective. Global warming was ranked the lowest compared to other personal and social issues. The study found that the effects of global warming are affecting the people though few relate it to global warming. The study recommended that the public must be educated on global warming inorder to raise awareness through appropriate participatory mechanisms, that the political frame work is involved in advancing global warming as a national agenda and that media industry is engaged for effective agenda for public communication in global warming awareness. | en_US |
