Perception of climate change and geo-hydrological risk among high-school students: A local-scale study in Italy

Natural hazards can produce relevant impacts on people, particularly on their life, health, proper-ties, that are expected to increase for climate change. Sustainable approaches aiming at mitigat-ing, adapting and reducing the vulnerability of people exposed to these hazards have to be based on the analysis of the risk perception. Many aspects (e.g. social, cultural, psychological) even au-tocorrelated, can affect the perception assessment. Furthermore, identifying factors that influ-ence or determine risk perception can help to implement more effective communication strate-gies. In this paper, the Italian young people's awareness, perception and preparation about nat-ural risks, mainly landslide and flood risk, as well as climate change are investigated. A survey was carried out by means of voluntary questionnaries on a group of Italian high school students, aged between 13 and 20, in central (Umbria region) and southern (Calabria region) Italy. The re-sults reveal that the students surveyed are aware of the climate change issue and of the its effects on nature and environment. The output of the two surveys confirms the relevant role of mass me-dia in terms of perception, knowledge and information about climate change and related impacts on young people. Moreover, a low level of trust in local administrations and a negative opinion on the policy about geo-hydrological risk have also emerged.

Automated summary

Natural hazards have significant impacts on people, and these impacts are expected to increase with climate change. Sustainable approaches to mitigating these hazards and reducing vulnerability need to be based on an analysis of risk perception. This study investigates the awareness, perception, and preparation of Italian young people regarding natural risks, particularly landslides, floods, and climate change. The results reveal that the surveyed students are aware of climate change and its effects on nature and the environment.