RESEARCH TITLE: LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

Final Project Technical Report Writing

Project Proposal

Phase #1

Submitted by:

Hamza Tariq 17-0490

Usman Shabaz 17-0457

Hamza Shakir 16-0504

Section: A

Submitted to: Ma’am Sana Iliyas

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF COMPUTER & EMERGING SCIENCES, ISLAMABAD

1|Page
 LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………..…3
1.1. Introduction to the Problem……………………………………………….…3
1.2. Significance of the study ……………………………………………….…...3
1.3. Statement of the problem …………………………………………..….…....4
1.4. Aims & Objectives of the Research ……………………………………...…4
1.5. Delimitation of the study …………………………………………………....4
1.6. Role definition of the researchers…………………………………....……...5

2. Methodology …………………………………………………………………….6
2.1. Selection of Data Collection and Research Tools ............…..…….….…....6
2.2. Research Participants..………………………………………………….…....7
2.3. Sample Size ............…………………………………………………...….....7
2.4. Designing the Questions for the Study ...…………………………….…..…..8

References …………………………………………………………….………..…9

2
 LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction to the Problem

Pakistan potentially faces a major climate challenge [1]. This change in climate of
Pakistan is seen as an effect of global warming which in a result shows an extreme
weather conditions in different regions of Pakistan [1]. Farmers who are aware of the
climate changes and their impact on their crops take certain precautionary measures on
time while rest of them are left with devastated conditions of the climate change [2].
This problem for the farmers also helps the researchers to develop a niche for their study
as this unawareness cause unemployment and financial loss to the farmers. The likely
effect of climate change on common residents of Pakistan with comparison to the world
are observed terribly high considering Pakistan’s low adaptive capacity due to certain
factors such as, high poverty rate, limited financial resources and low literacy rate. But a
bigger concern for Pakistan is the recognition of climate change as an issue as this
climate change in Pakistan is also a responsible factor in the field of agriculture.

1.2 Significance of the Research Study

As the climate continues to change, millions of poor people face great challenges in terms
of extreme events, food and water security, cultural identity, health effects and other
related risks. The seriousness of the threat can be estimated by the fact that climate
change has been mentioned in the first place for the fourth time in four years in the
Global Risk Report by World Economic Forum [3].

3
 LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

This research study is significant in a way as raising climate change awareness on local
level is critical for Pakistan and climate change impacts are exacerbating the number and
extent of disasters in this disaster-prone country. This research intent to assess the
awareness about climate change among the people.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

Climate change has emerged as one of the most devastating environmental threats. Its
impacts on human and natural systems are predicted to be severe. However, people still
fail to realize the seriousness of this threat and, therefore continue to contribute to its
cause. This lack of awareness is likely to be seen as a significant barrier to climate
change adaptation in developing countries like Pakistan.

1.4 Aims & Objectives of the Research

The aim of this research is to assess the climate change threat and highlight the
importance of the realization of this threat among common people. Following research
objectives would facilitate the achievement of this aim:
 To explore the realization of the climate change among people.
 To study the importance of awareness about the climate change in people as a
threat.

1.5 Role Definition of the Researchers

Hamza Shakir will be arranging interviews and providing logistics to carry out surveys.
Usman Shabaz will be going through the previous research done on the topic in order to
get better understanding and find appropriate solutions.
Hamza Tariq will be designing questionnaires and surveys to make sure the research is
conducted efficiently and effectively.
All three researchers will be working on the reports and surveys together.

4
 LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

1.6 Delimitation of the Research

Delimitations of the study delineate the scope of participants in the research. It insinuates
to the horizon that the researchers have intentionally set for their study based on their
preferences [4]. For the present research study, the researchers have delimited their study
to the research participants selected from the region of Islamabad only therefore the result
of the surveys might not be applicable throughout Pakistan.

5
 LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

CHAPTER 2

METHODOLOGY

Research is an orderly methodology that not simply happens in a vacuum. It is a long cycle of
examination for finding the solution to why of the investigation which itself is a period taking,
what's more, a thorough cycle of persistent devotion and battle. Beginning from gathering
information and driving towards the advancement of information examination and end gives the
analyst with bits of knowledge into the basic assessment of the information all through the cycle
[5].

2.1. Selection of Data Collection and Research Tool

Qualitative method is used as the research method of this study as it focuses on the perceptions
and views of its research participants [4]. Moreover, the qualitative research is based on the
process if exploring and understanding the social or human problems. Therefore, as the
researchers aim to explore the reasons behind the unawareness regarding climate change,
qualitative research method is used as a method of the study.
The following research tools and data collection methods will be used for this study:
1. Interviews
Interviews are excellent for in depth understanding of the research topic and
getting instant feedback.
2. Questionnaires
Always a good way to obtain information from a large number of people or
people who may not have the time to attend an interview.

6
 LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

2.2 Research Participants

Participants of the study will involve:

1. Environmentalists/forest officer and climate experts
To have the expert opinion and get better understanding of the causes and effects
of climate change and importance of awareness.
2. University students and professionals
To analyze the understanding of educated segment of the population regarding the
threat.
3. Farmers and rural population
To analyze the understanding about climate change in community most affiliated
with agriculture and environment.

2.3 Sample Size

We plan on interviewing at least 2 experts to get better understanding of the issue. We

also plan on conducting survey on at least 20 farmers and 50 to 80 students and
professionals. Reason of selecting this number is to ensure the sample size is not too
small that we include disproportionate number of individuals which are anomalies neither
too large that the study become complex and time consuming.

2.4 Designing the Questions for the Study

Questions to students

1. According to you what is the biggest issue out of the following?

 Inflation
 Unemployment
 Safety
 Climate change
2. Rate out of 10, how serious is the climate change threat?
3. Have you ever planted a tree?

7
 LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

Questions to experts

1. What is climate change?

2. How do we observe this climate change?
3. What do you see as the core reason behind increase in climate change?
4. How serious is the threat?
5. How important it is to counter this threat?
6. What is the condition of awareness among the people in Pakistan?
7. How important is awareness among the people?
8. How can people contribute to the cause against climate change?
9. What is the easiest way people can fight climate change?
10. What role is the government playing in this fight?

Questions to farmers/professional

1. What do you understand by the term climate change?

2. How have you been effected by climate change?
3. Do you see climate change as a threat?

8
 LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

References

[1] R. A. Mahmood, A. Sadiq and S. Khan, "Vulnerability of the Indus Delta to Climate Change in
Pakistan," Pakistan Journal of Meteorology , 2012.

[2] A. Gorst, A. Dehlavi and B. Groom, "Crop productivity and adaptation to climate change in Pakistan,"
Environment and Development Economics, vol. 23, no. 6, 2018.

[3] B. Brende, J. Drzik and P. Giger, "Global Risks Report 2020," World Economic Forum, 2020.

[4] J. W. Creswell, "Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches," p.
304, 2017.

[5] A. Mackey and S. Gass, "Second Language Research: Methodology and Design," Lawrence Erlbaum
Associates, Inc., vol. 6, no. 2, 2005.