Chapter 8
Signs of “The End Times”: Perspectives
on Climate Change Among Market
Sellers in Madang, Papua New Guinea
Kylie McKenna and Lorelle Tekopiri Yakam
Abstract This paper describes understandings of climate change among market
sellers in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Market sellers in PNG are
likely to experience negative impacts associated with climate change due to their
dependence on ecosystem services for their livelihood. Based on qualitative interviews at the Madang Town Market, this paper highlights an acute awareness of
environmental change among market sellers such as, rising temperatures, changes in
rainfall patterns and unpredictable seasons. Yet the interviews reveal unique interpretations of the cause of these changes. In contrast to anthropogenic greenhouse
gas emissions emphasized in international climate change discourse, interviewees
refer to biblical notions of “the End Times”. This appears to give rise to a fatalistic
view of climate change, as “God alone” is seen to be in control. Despite this apparent
resignation, there is eagerness among market sellers for more information on climate
change. These findings stress the need for sustainability practitioners working in PNG
to consider the integration of environmental information with Christian beliefs. It is
argued that this can be done in ways that respect spiritual understandings, while also
promoting practical mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Introduction
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is the largest country in the Pacific region with by far
the largest number of inhabitants. It encompasses the eastern half of the island of
New Guinea and a number of island provinces to the north and east (Manus, New
Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville). Administratively, the nation is divided into
22 provinces (including one Autonomous region and one National Capital District)
K. McKenna (B) · L. T. Yakam
Divine Word University, Madang, Papua New Guinea
e-mail: kmckenna@dwu.ac.pg
L. T. Yakam
e-mail: lyakam@dwu.ac.pg
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. M. Luetz and P. D. Nunn (eds.), Beyond Belief, Climate Change Management,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67602-5_8
139
Signs of “The End Times”: Perspectives
on Climate Change Among Market
Sellers in Madang, Papua New Guinea
Kylie McKenna and Lorelle Tekopiri Yakam
Abstract This paper describes understandings of climate change among market
sellers in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Market sellers in PNG are
likely to experience negative impacts associated with climate change due to their
dependence on ecosystem services for their livelihood. Based on qualitative interviews at the Madang Town Market, this paper highlights an acute awareness of
environmental change among market sellers such as, rising temperatures, changes in
rainfall patterns and unpredictable seasons. Yet the interviews reveal unique interpretations of the cause of these changes. In contrast to anthropogenic greenhouse
gas emissions emphasized in international climate change discourse, interviewees
refer to biblical notions of “the End Times”. This appears to give rise to a fatalistic
view of climate change, as “God alone” is seen to be in control. Despite this apparent
resignation, there is eagerness among market sellers for more information on climate
change. These findings stress the need for sustainability practitioners working in PNG
to consider the integration of environmental information with Christian beliefs. It is
argued that this can be done in ways that respect spiritual understandings, while also
promoting practical mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Introduction
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is the largest country in the Pacific region with by far
the largest number of inhabitants. It encompasses the eastern half of the island of
New Guinea and a number of island provinces to the north and east (Manus, New
Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville). Administratively, the nation is divided into
22 provinces (including one Autonomous region and one National Capital District)
K. McKenna (B) · L. T. Yakam
Divine Word University, Madang, Papua New Guinea
e-mail: kmckenna@dwu.ac.pg
L. T. Yakam
e-mail: lyakam@dwu.ac.pg
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. M. Luetz and P. D. Nunn (eds.), Beyond Belief, Climate Change Management,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67602-5_8
139