Majority of Batswana unaware of climate change- survey
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday July 7, 2025 06:33
Considered a major threat and recognised for its far-reaching and potentially devastating impacts on the planet and human societies, the findings of a recent survey released on June 26, 2025, indicates that only about four in 10 Batswana are aware of climate change. The study which was conducted by Afrobarometer team in Botswana, led by Star Awards, interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,200 adult Batswana between 6 and 19 July 2024. It states that citizens with post-secondary education are roughly twice as likely as less-educated Batswana to have heard about climate change.
Among respondents who are aware of climate change, the vast majority say it is making life in Botswana worse. Two-thirds of informed citizens believe climate change is primarily caused by human activity or a combination of natural processes and human activity, while six in 10 say people, businesses, and governments in other parts of the world bear chief responsibility for causing climate change.
However, the survey indicates that a majority of the citizens would support greater investment in climate change-resilient infrastructure and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind technologies. According to the study findings, two-thirds of Batswana also support pressuring developed countries to provide climate aid to address changing weather patterns and environmental degradation.
“To respond to changing weather patterns and environmental degradation, majorities endorse greater investment in climate-resilient infrastructure (76%), increased pressure on rich countries to provide more climate aid (66%), and more funding for wind and solar energy (57%), even if it increases the price of electricity,” reads the survey findings.
The scientific community overwhelmingly agrees on the reality and severity of climate change, driven by human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases.
Botswana is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its arid climate, reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and high poverty rates.
According to the World Health Organisation, climate change is directly contributing to humanitarian emergencies from heatwaves, wildfires, floods, tropical storms and hurricanes and they are increasing in scale, frequency and intensity. Research shows that 3.6 billion people worldwide already live in areas highly susceptible to climate change. It is said that between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year, from undernutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress alone.
The direct damage costs to health (excluding costs in health-determining sectors such as agriculture and water and sanitation) is estimated to be between US$ 2–4 billion per year by 2030. Areas with weak health infrastructure – mostly in developing countries – will be the least able to cope without assistance to prepare and respond.
Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases through better transport, food and energy use choices can result in very large gains for health, particularly through reduced air pollution.