On April 14, the National Institute of Statistics published the report “Environment and Climate Change – IMC 2024.” This report presents the results of the modules “Disasters and Extreme Weather Events” and “Environment and Climate,” both integrated for the first time into the Continuous Multi-purpose Survey (IMC), in accordance with the National Strategy for Statistical Development (ENDE) 2022-2026.

The IMC is a statistical data collection operation conducted among households, which harmoniously integrates a set of modules, based on the labor market module. This statistical operation replaces several previously independent surveys and provides public authorities, policymakers, and other users with indicators for macroeconomic analysis, planning, policy formulation, evaluation, etc.

Cabo Verde, as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), is highly vulnerable to Climate Change and urgently needs to adapt to its impacts. The country’s social, economic, political, and environmental development will not be achieved or sustainable if Climate Change and the effects of natural disasters are not understood and taken into account. For this, reliable and quality data is essential. Therefore, the collection of statistical information on climate change from households is crucial in order to have a clearer understanding of their behavior and to contribute to the formulation of better public policies, including improved environmental and climate education.

Disasters and Extreme Weather Events

In the 12 months prior to the date of this survey, 17.1% of households were affected by dry haze, 12.2% by droughts, 2.6% by heatwaves or extreme temperatures, 1.4% by floods or rain-induced flooding, 0.6% by landslides, 0.2% by strong swells or coastal flooding, 0.2% by tropical storms, and 0.1% were affected by other extreme weather events.

Of the 26,963 households affected by dry haze in the 12 months prior to the date of this survey, 44% had a male head of household and 56% had a female head of household. Regarding their place of residence, 80% of these households lived in urban areas, while 20% lived in rural areas. These households were affected in the following ways: 88.3% had the health of their members affected, 16.8% had their workdays affected, 10.8% had access to school affected, 2.6% had their goods and equipment affected, 0.9% had access to basic services affected, and 1.7% were affected in other ways. Regarding measures taken to address the negative effects of dry haze, 67.4% of households took no action. On the other hand, 22.1% of households went to a health facility or bought/used masks, medicine, or herbal teas.

Of the 19,276 households affected by drought in the 12 months prior to the date of this survey, 49% had a male head of household and 51% had a female head of household. Regarding their place of residence, 49% of these households lived in urban areas, while 51% lived in rural areas. These households were affected in the following ways: 52.4% had their goods and equipment affected, 4.2% had their housing affected, 3.7% had their workdays affected, 3.0% had access to basic services affected, 2.9% had the health of their members affected, and 6.3% were affected in other ways. Regarding measures taken to address the negative effects of the drought, 66.8% of households took no action. On the other hand, 24.4% of affected households spent their savings.

Of the 4,085 households affected by heatwaves in the 12 months prior to the date of this survey, 46% had a male head of household and 54% had a female head of household. Regarding their place of residence, 77% of these households lived in urban areas, while 23% lived in rural areas. These households were affected in the following ways: 35.9% had the health of their members affected, 4.7% had their goods and equipment affected, 3.2% had their workdays affected, 1.3% had access to school affected, 1.1% had access to basic services affected, and 1.4% were affected in other ways. Regarding measures taken to address the negative effects of heatwaves, 68.7% of households took no action. On the other hand, 7.9% of affected households reinforced the structures of their homes (roof, wall, etc.).  

Climate Change

The percentage of the population aged 15 years or older in Cabo Verde who have heard of Climate Change was 68%. Within this population, the majority, specifically 75.4%, considered that what defines Climate Change is the increase in air temperature. On the other hand, 42.3% of this population considered the alteration of the seasons as one of the best definitions. The third most identified definition for Climate Change was the increase in the number of disasters and extreme weather events, with a percentage of 40.9%.

The proportion of the population aged 15 years or older who thought that the use of fossil fuels is one of the main causes of Climate Change was 81.0%. The percentage who thought deforestation is one of the causes was 55.3%. In contrast, 29.6% of individuals aged 15 or older believed that Climate Change has non-human causes.

The vast majority of the population aged 15 years or older (85%) felt concerned about Climate Change and its impacts, while 9% did not feel concerned and 6% felt indifferent. Exactly three-quarters (75%) of the population aged 15 years or older considered that Climate Change threatens or will threaten the well-being of their household, while 20% did not consider it a threat and 5% felt indifferent.

The main source used by the population aged 15 years or older to get information about Climate Change was Television, with 47%. Following this, 39% used the Internet/Social Media/Applications, 5% used Schools/Universities, 4% used the Radio, and other sources of information (family, friends, communities, churches, newspapers/magazines, employer, etc.) also accounted for 4%.

For 30% of the population aged 15 years or older, the main responsible party for combating Climate Change is individuals. Next, 23% identified international organizations, 20% identified developed countries, 13% identified the national government, and 9% identified others. It is worth noting that 67% of the population aged 15 years or older thought that the actions taken by the government to combat the impact of Climate Change were insufficient to address the impacts on people and localities. On the other hand, 28% of people thought that the actions taken were good and sufficient.

More than three-quarters of the population aged 15 years or older, exactly 77%, considered that the place where they lived was warmer in the last year compared to the last 5 years. However, 11% thought the temperature did not change, and 11% thought it was less warm. Only 14% of the population aged 15 years or older considered that the place where they lived was rainier in the last year compared to the last 5 years. In contrast, 73% thought that the last year was less rainy, and 12% thought nothing had changed in the last 5 years.

Author

Ulisses da Cruz