Assessing Climate Change Knowledge, Perceptions, Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Mexicans: Pilot Study in San Pedro Garza García, Mexico

Abstract

Worldwide, climate change is affecting communities and economies. This daunting problem, seemingly needing to be addressed sooner than later, has often not been taken seriously. This study aimed to adapt the Yale Climate Opinion Survey (Leiserowitz et al., 2022), an American assessment instrument, for use in the Mexican municipality of San Pedro Garza Garcia to analyze citizens' knowledge, perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes towards climate change. Using a blended case study methodology and mixed methods, this exploration seemed to indicate that Mexicans believe anthropogenic global warming is happening, but do not expect it to affect them personally or directly influence their communities. Findings suggest that the population of Mexicans have relatively limited formal education on the topic, yet prefer top-down solutions generated by government regulations. The research´s significance lies in informing decision-makers in creating meaningful and participatory solutions towards the climate change crisis.