In March of 2016, the Asian Management and Development Institute (AMDI) and its partners carried out a survey on Knowledge- Attitude- Practice (KAP) of the Youth in adaptation to climate change in 3 provinces of Nam Dinh, Thai Binh and Hai Phong. This activity is under the “Red River Delta Adaptation and Youth Project”
Sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the READY Project is implemented 3 NGOs namely the Centre for Marine life Conservation and Community Development (MCD), Asian Management and Development Institute (AMDI) and Center for Environment and Community Research (CECR). The KAP survey with the Youth is one of the activities collecting baseline information for the Project, which support adaptation planning at project sites in the next stages. In such adaptation activities, the Youth would play a crucial role in implementing adaptation plans and initiatives in their localities.
The Youth’ KAP survey was conducted with a sample size of 300 people allocated equally in 3 districts of Giao Thuy (Nam Dinh), Tien Hai (Thai Binh) and Cat Hai (Hai Phong). The subjects of this survey included the Unionists and Youth living and studying in these districts at the age of 16 to 35. AMDI closely coordinated with local Youth Unions to select suitable subjects for the interviews. Moreover, data collectors also came to each village to look for more young interviewees, which helped to increase the randomness in selecting survey sample.
Personal interviews were held with an electric questionnaire. Overall, KAP survey aimed to discover key factors as follows:
+ The knowledge of natural disasters and climate change
+ The attitude towards climate change
+ The practice of climate change
+ The participation, role and readiness of the youth in social activities in their localities
+ The communication of weather and climate change
The data collected from the survey was an input to a report compiled by AMDI’s professionals. According to the report, 99.7% of interviewees heard of climate change, 90% of them knew at least a climate change phenomenon and 80% of them knew at least a cause of climate change. The statistics are quite positive and to some extent reflects a high level of interviewees’ knowledge. Good knowledge of climate change could be attributed to efficient advocacy work and a sense of self-awareness of improving knowledge among the youth.
Besides, climate change is a burning issue attracting the attention of the youth in 3 districts of Giao Thuy, Tien Hai and Cat Ha
Most of the youth in all occupations were interested in climate change, especially small businessmen and teachers (99.9%). However, only 60% of young farmers were concerned about this issue. This is so remarkable because their life is always sensitive to changes in weather and climate.
The practice level of the youth in response to climate change is an important factor of the survey in 3 districts. According to statistics, 59% of interviewees participated in adaptation activities, 26% of them never took part in such activities and 15% of them did not know any activity like that. The next activities of the project need to increase the level of the youth’s participation because they are the main forces in every locality. The more young people are involved in, the more positive results are, which would contribute to general success of the “Red River Delta Adaptation and Youth Project”.