Climate change perceptions across four ecological regions in Italy and Austria

This study investigates climate change perceptions of inhabitants of four distinct physiographic regions of Southern Europe, including Alpine cattle pastoralists of Carinthia (Western Austria), Venice Lagoon farmers, Southern Sicilian Coast fisherfolk, and Langhe winemakers in Italy. Through semi-structured interviews with 92 households conducted between autumn 2022 and autumn 2023, distributed across the four case studies, nuanced variations in perceptions of climate change impacts and responses were analysed. The results illustrate significant associations between climate change perception and various factors including adaptation strategies, precipitation change, and social network influence. Notably, the perceived impacts relate to a decrease in precipitation which affects agricultural production, vegetation shift, and adaptation strategies. Analyses conducted using mixed-effect logistic regression models uncovered varied regional contexts that influence both climate change awareness and adaptive actions. Additionally, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to explore underlying structures and identify key variables contributing to regional variations in climate perception. This r analysis offered insights into the factors that shape perceptions and strategies in each region and underscored the importance of context-specific approaches to climate resilience and adaptation planning, considering the socio-economic, environmental, and cultural factors. Tailored adaptation strategies, informed by robust data and stakeholder engagement, are essential for building resilience and sustainability in local communities facing ongoing environmental challenges.