Climate Change in Tajikistan: Youth Perceptions and Future Prospects

Abstract

The planning of climate change adaptation measures needs dialogue and communication between people, households, cities, state authorities – all layers of society – to be successful. The perception and concern of the population to the effects of climate change is of paramount importance for the implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures and the constructive dialogue. The purpose of this thesis was to conduct research and analyse the perception of young people in two mountain regions of Tajikistan, and compare the differences between youth in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, and the two studied regions- Kuhistoni Mastchoh and Rasht District. The results of the research, mainly show that the situation in the capital and the other districts is radically different. Respondents in Dushanbe were confident that this problem can be solved in a few years, and the international community will be able to solve it. They are more worried about their life problems. Urban youth, with their own ambitions, are more interested in their future, and social issues of the city, rather than a problem that they think global, and not in their competence. People in rural areas directly dependent on ecosystem services that experience the consequences of climate change more closely are more concerned than those whose lives are not affected. The results of the analysis showed that almost the entire population, including the youth of large cities, have little theoretical knowledge about the effects of climate change. And those who had an idea about this problem did not consider this problem serious, or potential for an emergency resolution. From this follows another factor. Lack of young professionals in the field of environmental protection, and the lack of theoretical knowledge of the local population. Considering the factor of age, people under the age of 23, predominantly students, are less aware and therefore less concerned about the effects of climate change than those over 23 years old. The 4 general picture suggests that it is necessary to work with both rural youth and young people in the capital. At the same time, it is necessary to choose a separate approach for each. Therefore, during the research, the author also collected Recommendations that can be used not only by local or state authorities, but also by international organizations that implement projects and programs aimed at adaptation and mitigation of climate change in Tajikistan.