Illustrative image (Photo: Khmer Times)
Phnom Penh (VNA) - The Environment Ministry of Cambodia said in a report released on July 26 that climate change 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 on weather conditions.
In the report “Third Study on Understanding Public Perceptions of Climate Change in Cambodia Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices”, the ministry said 76 percent of respondents are aware that climate change is happening and blame the loss of forests as the main cause for this.
The survey also found that four out of five respondents said that changes in resources and climate in Cambodia are affecting their livelihoods. About 37 percent of Cambodians have had to change their way of life to adapt to climate change, such as changing their jobs, or getting a side job to increase their income. However, only about 33 percent of Cambodians understand the meaning of the “climate change" term.
Van Monyneath, Deputy Secretary General of the Cambodian National Council for Sustainable Development said that Cambodians need to actively engage in environmental protection, management of natural resources and biodiversity, as well as learning how to live sustainably./.
