Sharing of people's Perceptions of Past and Future Hydro-Meteorological Changes in the Groundwater Use Area

The study revealed local people's perceptions (PP) of the past and future hydro-meteorological changes in a groundwater use area in Thailand. A statistically significant increase at the 95 % confidence level was found in the annual mean surface air temperature, rising over the period from 1955 to 2012. From 1993 to 2012, statistical values and hydrological extreme events showed the highest variability relative to the period from 1955 to 1992, which could be a signal of climate change impacts in the study area. The majority of people (94.7-100.0 %) shared that less available surface water may occur and that this result is driven by climate change. However, a majority of elder generation (a parts per thousand yen41 years old, 55.6-84.2 %) do not realize the potential climate change impacts because their groundwater will alleviate the problems. Incorrect PP on groundwater was confirmed by 81.8-89.5 % of people who shared that climate change will not impact groundwater. Furthermore, past hydrological extreme events should bear in the people's mind; however, the shared PP on the flood and drought events were not correct. Exposure time to flood (approximately 1 week) and drought (approximately 5 months) is one of the potential factor on the misperception. Examining the PP of different generations, people who are a parts per thousand yenaEuro parts per thousand 41 years old shared almost the same PP, and the people who are a parts per thousand currency signaEuro parts per thousand 40 years old showed more awareness of climate change impacts. From an optimistic point of view, the younger generation realized potential climate change impacts; thus, the implementation of future adaptations is expected to have strong cooperation.