However, level of knowledge among individuals helps in making appropriate
arrangements for tackling climate-related risks, such as heat waves. The source of
information and interactions with society contribute in building capacity of
knowledge and perception of general public (Carvalho 2007). Role of awareness in
building capacity of communities on heat waves is well evident in the literature
(Sheridan 2007; Chowdhury et al. 2012). Sharples (2010) provides evidence on the
importance of information through print and electronic media and their impact on
perception to specific issue. It is argued that households with high income level are
expected to have high perception level (Deressa et al. 2011). As a result, knowledge
and perception building of households lead to adaptation, thereby reducing impacts
on human health (Akompab et al. 2013; Liu et al. 2013).
In addition to perception level, socioeconomic factors affect adaptation to heat
waves. These factors may include family size, access to information, credit, and
extension services (Falco et al. 2011; Deressa et al. 2011); education, gender, and
temperature (Deressa et al. 2011). Consequently, effective policy formulation
addressing the issue of heat waves may be achieved through knowledge about these
factors and hence would provide sound basis for effective planning for the mitigation of detrimental impacts (Sherwood and Huber 2010).
Understanding public attitudes and perceptions towards heat waves is important
as they may help in boosting focus through public education and communication
strategies for this issue under a changing climate. Furthermore, having an understanding of public attitudes may be important since any success to address potential
consequences associated with heat waves may depend on public views about the
phenomenon. Such information can help to design and formulate strategies to
reduce the adverse impacts of heat waves. There is little evidence on perception of
and adaptation to heat waves in Pakistan, although many studies are conducted in
other countries. This research presents information on knowledge, perception, and
adaptation to heat waves in a selected district of Pakistan.
3 Faisalabad Case Study
Faisalabad district in the province of Punjab was selected as a case study district, as
historical data show a considerable population of this district affected by heat waves
in the form of several deaths and senselessness in Faisalabad (Pak Tribune 2004).
Faisalabad is located in the central Punjab, Pakistan. This is among the most
populated cities of Pakistan. Its population as per 2013 estimates is 7085 thousands.
The district has 289 union councils, out of which 166 are rural and 123 are urban
which shows majority of rural population in the district. Out of 751 thousands
households, 37 % have access to safe drinking water without bacteria, 83 % use
sanitary means of excreta disposal, and 90 % have physical access to health
facilities within half an hour distance. All this highlights poor environmental
conditions prevailing in the district. Although, these conditions are somewhat better
than those prevailing in many southern districts of the province, yet these statistics
Knowledge, Perception and Socioeconomic Vulnerability …
193
arrangements for tackling climate-related risks, such as heat waves. The source of
information and interactions with society contribute in building capacity of
knowledge and perception of general public (Carvalho 2007). Role of awareness in
building capacity of communities on heat waves is well evident in the literature
(Sheridan 2007; Chowdhury et al. 2012). Sharples (2010) provides evidence on the
importance of information through print and electronic media and their impact on
perception to specific issue. It is argued that households with high income level are
expected to have high perception level (Deressa et al. 2011). As a result, knowledge
and perception building of households lead to adaptation, thereby reducing impacts
on human health (Akompab et al. 2013; Liu et al. 2013).
In addition to perception level, socioeconomic factors affect adaptation to heat
waves. These factors may include family size, access to information, credit, and
extension services (Falco et al. 2011; Deressa et al. 2011); education, gender, and
temperature (Deressa et al. 2011). Consequently, effective policy formulation
addressing the issue of heat waves may be achieved through knowledge about these
factors and hence would provide sound basis for effective planning for the mitigation of detrimental impacts (Sherwood and Huber 2010).
Understanding public attitudes and perceptions towards heat waves is important
as they may help in boosting focus through public education and communication
strategies for this issue under a changing climate. Furthermore, having an understanding of public attitudes may be important since any success to address potential
consequences associated with heat waves may depend on public views about the
phenomenon. Such information can help to design and formulate strategies to
reduce the adverse impacts of heat waves. There is little evidence on perception of
and adaptation to heat waves in Pakistan, although many studies are conducted in
other countries. This research presents information on knowledge, perception, and
adaptation to heat waves in a selected district of Pakistan.
3 Faisalabad Case Study
Faisalabad district in the province of Punjab was selected as a case study district, as
historical data show a considerable population of this district affected by heat waves
in the form of several deaths and senselessness in Faisalabad (Pak Tribune 2004).
Faisalabad is located in the central Punjab, Pakistan. This is among the most
populated cities of Pakistan. Its population as per 2013 estimates is 7085 thousands.
The district has 289 union councils, out of which 166 are rural and 123 are urban
which shows majority of rural population in the district. Out of 751 thousands
households, 37 % have access to safe drinking water without bacteria, 83 % use
sanitary means of excreta disposal, and 90 % have physical access to health
facilities within half an hour distance. All this highlights poor environmental
conditions prevailing in the district. Although, these conditions are somewhat better
than those prevailing in many southern districts of the province, yet these statistics
Knowledge, Perception and Socioeconomic Vulnerability …
193