Illustrative image (Photo: Khmer Times)
Phnom Penh (VNA) - The Environment Ministry of Cambodia said in a report released on July 26 that climatechange has affected the life and livelihoods of about 79 percent of Cambodians, as seen in declining fish catch and agricultural output.
It noted that Cambodia is one of the countries in the world hard hit by climate change as farming as a livelihood is highly dependent onweather conditions.
In the report “Third Studyon Understanding Public Perceptions of Climate Change in Cambodia Knowledge,Attitudes, and Practices”, the ministry said 76percent of respondents are aware that climate change is happening and blame theloss of forests as the main cause for this.
The survey also found that four out of five respondents saidthat changes in resources and climate in Cambodia are affecting theirlivelihoods. About 37 percent of Cambodians have had to change their way oflife to adapt to climate change, such as changing their jobs, or getting a sidejob to increase their income. However, only about 33 percent of Cambodiansunderstand the meaning of the “climate change" term.
Van Monyneath, Deputy Secretary General of theCambodian National Council for Sustainable Development said that Cambodiansneed to actively engage in environmental protection, management of naturalresources and biodiversity, as well as learning how to live sustainably./.
