Comparing household heads’ perception of climate change variability with meteorological trends and understanding mitigation measures to combat the adverse effects in coastal areas of Bangladesh

This study compares household heads’ perceptions of climate change with meteorological trends and explores the measures they believe can mitigate the negative impacts of climate change in the coastal districts of Bangladesh. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were conveniently collected from 164 household heads through semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Daily temperature and rainfall data for the Khulna and Satkhira districts from 1980 to 2015 were obtained from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Variations in temperature and rainfall were analyzed for annual, pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter periods, with trends identified using the Mann-Kendall (M-K) test. Binary logistic regression was employed to assess factors influencing individuals’ perceptions of climate change mitigation measures, while qualitative data were analyzed through verbatim analysis of recorded interviews. The analysis indicated significant upward trends in temperature across all seasons, consistent with residents’ observations, while rainfall patterns showed greater variability. Survey results demonstrated strong community awareness, with most respondents emphasizing the need for Bangladesh-specific climate education, recognizing the empowering role of knowledge, and expressing confidence in community-level cooperation. Education and income were identified as significant predictors of climate change perceptions, with higher levels associated with more informed views on mitigation strategies. These findings underscore a strong alignment between local perceptions and scientific data, highlighting the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge with empirical evidence in climate resilience planning. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on climate change adaptation in vulnerable coastal regions and offers valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners dedicated to building resilient communities in the face of environmental challenges.