El conocimiento, la percepción y disponibilidad para afrontar el cambio climático en una población emergente, los migrantes de retorno

Knowledge, perception and readiness to face the climate change in a growing population, the returning migrants.

Abstract

Objective: This research investigates the perspective of returning migrants about climate change. The main purpose is to collect data on their knowledge and perception of climate change; and their available resources to cope with it. Methodology: A survey was applied in six communities within Puebla. These areas will suffer different climate challenges by 2020. Results: The main discovery, after statistical analysis, is that the returning migrants heard about climate change in USA, and they only had a basic knowledge on the subject. Also, they were willing to participate in collective programs to mitigate the impact of drastic temperature changes in their hometown. In addition, the main determinants in the knowledge and readiness are: schooling years and English proficiency. Limitations: Although, this is a regional case, its main feature is that the sample is formed by returning migrants, who are an increasing population in Mexico. Conclusions: it must be noted that the migrating experience was relevant in the knowledge of this phenomenon and the amount of resources they had to cope with this environmental issue. Nevertheless, schooling years is the most explanatory variable, and most of them attend school only in Mexico. So this is a very good reason to incorpórate them like promoters for a sustainable regional development.