Security risks of climate change is the central topic of this scientific publication.
Abstract
Based on the negative impact of climate change, the aim of quantitative research is to examine models for predicting the impact of demographic and sociocultural factors on citizens’ attitudes to security risks of climate change. Using the random sample method, during the 2019, a survey of citizens was conducted in Belgrade’s central square and included 438 respondents. The results of the research show that the conceived prediction model is statistically significant, and that the attitude of the respondents is influenced by different predictors, the most important of which is the level of education, age and sex of the respondents. Starting from the obtained research results, it is necessary to devise and implement educational programs for improving the awareness of citizens about the negative implications of climate change.
Conclusions
Security risks of climate change will no doubt continue to attract the attention of researchers worldwide due to the necessity of a more detailed explanation of present and future security threats. For these reasons, it is crucial to conduct ongoing research to implement relevant conclusions and recommendations in strategic decisions, enabling political decision-makers to address the issue of climate change before it is too late. The above-mentioned research found that most citizens are informed about the security risks of climate change, with electronic media (television and radio) being the most frequent source of information and printed publications (books, magazines, newspaper articles, etc.) being the least frequent. Therefore, it is necessary to devise, implement, and apply methods to improve citizens’ awareness of the negative implications of climate change through electronic media, educational institutions, the internet, and printed publications. Television and radio programs should be enhanced to systematically inform citizens about the causes, consequences, and ways to reduce the negative impacts of climate change. Additionally, improving individual, institutional, and overall social preparedness for reacting to expected disasters due to climate change requires determining the level of citizens’ awareness to develop adequate educational programs and workshops. It is necessary to create or adapt educational programs that would be broadcast on television and radio, disseminating all relevant information on the negative aspects of climate change. Special consideration should be given to tailoring educational programs to different age groups. Although the results indicate that most citizens are aware that climate change seriously disrupts normal functioning, almost one-third are not aware of it at all. This raises the question of the level of objective information about the security risks of climate change, which could be examined in future research by testing knowledge and awareness. It is noteworthy that positive results show most citizens recognize that climate change directly increases the frequency and severity of disasters. Therefore, certain preventive measures should be taken to encourage citizens and institutions to avoid further contributing to climate change through their decisions, measures, and activities. Considering that the strongest predictor of people’s attitudes towards the impact of climate change on their normal functioning, security, and its deterioration is their level of education, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of introducing additional education through existing subjects or new subjects addressing security risks of climate change. Given that educational institutions, after electronic media, are the most frequent method of informing citizens, it is necessary to focus on developing teaching content in the field of security. Efforts should be made to introduce a special subject, “Security Culture,” in primary and secondary schools. This subject would enable students to acquire their first knowledge and raise their level of security culture and resilience (Cvetković & Filipović, 2018).
How to cite
Reference – Cvetković, V., Tomašević, K., & Milašinović, (2019). Security risks of climate change: a case study of Belgrade. Sociological Review, 53(2), 596–626.
