8 Signs of “The End Times”: Perspectives on Climate …
149
Perspectives on Climate-Change Mitigation and Adaptation
When asked what might be done to adapt to and minimize the changes observed
by the participants, the interview data highlight the limited agency of humans when
God is seen to be the sole authority:
…it’s the Creator himself that brings these changes. I can try my best to change it but I can’t.
Everything happens according to God’s will. (Participant 5)
…we are fighting with nature up in heaven. It is uncontrollable, I think. We can talk about
climate change, but we can’t change it. (Participant 4)
Based on this understanding, most interviewees consider that the primary response
of humans should be church attendance and repentance:
…we need to share the word of God. We need to repent and go to church before the end of
the world. (Participant 2)
…to avoid it, we should continue to go to church and worship God – if we do that we will
go to heaven. (Participants 12 & 13)
One participant noted that governments across the world also have an important role
to play in mitigating climate change:
…the Governments of other countries should shut down big factories and use less trucks
and use bicycles. Small countries like PNG and Pacific countries have to do awareness on
bushfires… The Government here in Madang is cutting trees down. The people are meant
to be caring about greenhouse gas. (Participant 4)
Yet the same participant expressed little confidence in governments to act on climate
change, particularly in PNG, largely due to concerns about corruption:
…the leaders don’t see this one. They give money to their friends. Nothing is done.
(Participant 4)
Awareness and Understanding of the Term ‘Climate Change’
The majority of participants report having heard of the term ‘climate change’,
primarily through conversations on the PMV (Public Motor Vehicle) while transporting their produce to market (Participants 7, 9, 10), via the radio (Participants
7 & 14), from family members (Participants 9 & 10) and pastors (Participant 1).
Descriptions of climate change include:
…climate change is referring to strong winds, rainfall, sea-level rise, earthquakes. (Participant 11)
…I have heard of climate change on the radio. That’s why the seasons are changing.
(Participant 2)
…climate change is a change in weather pattern. (Participant 3)
149
Perspectives on Climate-Change Mitigation and Adaptation
When asked what might be done to adapt to and minimize the changes observed
by the participants, the interview data highlight the limited agency of humans when
God is seen to be the sole authority:
…it’s the Creator himself that brings these changes. I can try my best to change it but I can’t.
Everything happens according to God’s will. (Participant 5)
…we are fighting with nature up in heaven. It is uncontrollable, I think. We can talk about
climate change, but we can’t change it. (Participant 4)
Based on this understanding, most interviewees consider that the primary response
of humans should be church attendance and repentance:
…we need to share the word of God. We need to repent and go to church before the end of
the world. (Participant 2)
…to avoid it, we should continue to go to church and worship God – if we do that we will
go to heaven. (Participants 12 & 13)
One participant noted that governments across the world also have an important role
to play in mitigating climate change:
…the Governments of other countries should shut down big factories and use less trucks
and use bicycles. Small countries like PNG and Pacific countries have to do awareness on
bushfires… The Government here in Madang is cutting trees down. The people are meant
to be caring about greenhouse gas. (Participant 4)
Yet the same participant expressed little confidence in governments to act on climate
change, particularly in PNG, largely due to concerns about corruption:
…the leaders don’t see this one. They give money to their friends. Nothing is done.
(Participant 4)
Awareness and Understanding of the Term ‘Climate Change’
The majority of participants report having heard of the term ‘climate change’,
primarily through conversations on the PMV (Public Motor Vehicle) while transporting their produce to market (Participants 7, 9, 10), via the radio (Participants
7 & 14), from family members (Participants 9 & 10) and pastors (Participant 1).
Descriptions of climate change include:
…climate change is referring to strong winds, rainfall, sea-level rise, earthquakes. (Participant 11)
…I have heard of climate change on the radio. That’s why the seasons are changing.
(Participant 2)
…climate change is a change in weather pattern. (Participant 3)