One Step Before Disaster: Determining Individuals' Perceptions of Global Warming and Climate Change in terms of Different Demographic Variables

Abstract

Aim of study: The friendship between humankind and nature ended with the mechanization process initiated by the Industrial Revolution. Today, we are faced with the problems of global warming and climate change due to human factors such as fossil fuel consumption and the destruction of vegetation. These two problems promise us a warmer world, melting glaciers, burning forests, and thousands of dead people in the future. Research indicates that people's awareness is the most important factor in combating the disastrous consequences of global warming and climate change. Based on this fact, this study aims to examine individuals' perceptions of global warming and climate change in terms of various variables. Material and methods: The research was conducted with 2022 participants in line with the screening model. A perception scale on global warming and climate change was used as a data collection tool. The obtained data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U, and Kruskal Wallis Tests. Main results: As a result of the research, it has been determined that female participants have a positive attitude towards global warming and climate change compared to male participants, and as the age level of individuals increases, their perceptions of global warming and climate change increase. Research highlights: Awareness of people is the most important factor in the fight against the consequences of global warming and climate change. As a result of the data collected from 2022 participants, it was determined that female participants' perceptions of global warming and climate change were more positive than male participants.