WINDHOEK, Mar. 9 – Given the importance of agriculture, tourism, and natural resource extraction for Namibia’s future, climate-change mitigation and environmental governance are critical issues the country must confront, according to Afrobarometer’s latest survey results dated 4 March.
“The survey data presented show that Namibians have a substantial but not sufficient understanding of the threats associated with climate change. General awareness of climate change is relatively low, especially in rural areas and among those with limited education and infrequent access to news – factors that suggest avenues for increasing knowledge and preparedness through education and information campaigns,” read the survey.
The survey noted that among Namibians who are aware of climate change, however, clear majorities say that no one – not government, business, the international community, or citizens themselves – is doing enough to fight it.
In addition, environmental pollution was seen to be a more immediate concern for Namibians, particularly in the cities and among the poor.
“Trash and plastic disposal ranks at the top of the list of pollution problems, to the point where two-thirds of adults would welcome a ban on the production and use of plastic bags. Namibians assign themselves, as ordinary citizens, a leading role to play in reducing environmental pollution.”
Afrobarometer’s survey indicated that given the country’s continuing recession, with high unemployment exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, “it is not surprising that many Namibians feel that the benefits of natural resource extraction, such as jobs and revenue, outweigh potential negative impacts such as pollution.
“Yet most citizens also call for tighter regulation of the mining and exploration sector, clearly expecting the government to balance benefits of natural resource extraction in environmentally sensitive areas with the basic needs of local communities and businesses.”
Titled “Namibians s look to government, one another for action on climate and environment,” Afrobarometer Dispatch No. 510 was compiled by Christiaan Keulder (owner of Survey Warehouse and national investigator for Afrobarometer in Namibia) and Alfred Kwadzo Torsu (student in Michigan State University’s master of public policy analysis program and a research assistant for Afrobarometer.) – musa@namibiadailynews.info
