Probing Climate Change Perceptions in Vulnerable Enclaves: Resilient Realities in the Buffalo City Municipality, South Africa

Abstract

Under the turbulent environment of the 21st century, climate change emerges as a menacing and urgent crisis, especially in urban poverty-stricken areas, where its impacts are most acutely felt. Despite the importance of understanding public perceptions to foster effective climate change resilience, there still exists a notable gap in nuanced scholarship within the informal settlements of South Africa. This study employs a mixed-method approach to explore how cognitive, emotional, motivational and cultural factors affect these communities' resilience or vulnerability to climate-related hazards. The prevailing consensus in the literature suggests a general underestimation of climate change risks among residents. However, this paper contends that innovative, resource-constrained strategies observed in these communities suggest a significant degree of agency and preparedness to confront these challenges. This study sheds light on the interplay between individual actions, social networks, information channels, cultural practices, and power dynamics in shaping climate change perceptions. It recommends integrating local, cost-effective adaptation measures into wider policy frameworks. In conclusion, the study emphasises the importance of educating informal settlement residents, harnessing community participation and utilising local adaptation knowledge and sustainable development techniques to forge a resilient and equitable future for the inhabitants of Buffalo City Municipality.

Keywords

• traditional knowledge
• informal settlements
• vulnerability
• public perception
• adaptation