Climate Change: Knowledge and Practices of Selected Households in a Municipality of Northern Mindanao

Climate Change: Knowledge and Practices of Selected Households in a Municipality of Northern Mindanao

Charelle P. Tecson

Bukidnon State University Kadingilan Campus

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.906000322

Received: 10 June 2025; Accepted: 12 June 2025; Published: 15 July 2025

ABSTRACT

People are significant actors in the careful management of our ecosystems since their social and economic activities impact on the environment. Climate change impacts depend heavily on the environment where people are living and the assets including the resources, they bring to it. This study assessed the knowledge and practices of selected household in a municipality in Northern Mindanao, Philippines on climate change. This study used the quantitative-correlational and qualitative approach with questionnaires method for data collection. There are a total of one hundred eighty-one household respondents of the study. Results of this study indicated that majority of the head of the households are in the middle-aged adult, female, finished a college degree, employed and in the low-wage earner. Results further indicates that the households’ knowledge and practice on climate change was on a highly observed level. The respondents’ profile has no significant relationship to its level of practices towards climate change. Subsequently, the level of knowledge and its practices has no relationship towards climate change. The study concludes that the households’ knowledge and practice need intervention to improve their awareness to feel, think, and act in a responsible manner in such a way that protects both public health and the environment. The study recommends the continuous intervention from the government agencies to promote disaster preparedness advocacies and environmental sustainability.

Keywords: knowledge, practices, climate change

INTRODUCTION

Climate change impacts depend heavily on the environment where people are living and the assets including the resources, they bring to it (Guzman, et al., 2009). The world is increasingly urbanized through generations. More than half of the population lives in urban areas, and by 2050 it could be as high as two thirds even in rural areas. Mostly urban areas are experiencing rapid growth in population, highly vulnerable locations and lack of secure tenure that make people in urban areas most likely to experience several climate changes impacts. This may also experience growth as people move tend to move location of a living and to them for economic opportunities, and at the same time expose themselves, including their families, to greater risk of climate impacts.

In reality though, climate change is considered a product of human-made activities. For instance, human activities such as burning fuels to produce energy where this instance have released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap energy in the atmosphere and cause it to warm. These conditions are changing the climate which consequently leads to dangerous effects on human health, public wellness, and ecosystem as a whole (Ramin B and Syoboda T., 2009).

In addition, the effects of various human activities are evident in noticeable changes to the functioning of ecosystems, earth’s oceans, atmosphere, freshwater systems, and land surfaces (Cardwell FB., 2011). The potential and experience terrible events, negative consequences from the environment, and negative public health impact of climate change requires the people’s awareness of the natural and human-made disasters. It is, therefore, vital that people in the community have to possess knowledge, awareness and practices towards climate change as a research-based scenario for implementation policies from the decision makers and a partner for possible intervention programs.

The extensive changes in the rainfall patterns, adjustments of river flow patterns, and the frequent sea level rise, all of which is the results of the world’s climate that impacts the water resources and other weather patterns, either quantitatively or qualitatively (IPCC, 2007). The global’s temperature is showing signs of unbalanced, which is evident from observation and experienced in the increase in global average air condition and ocean uncomfortable temperatures, extensive melting of snow and ice in other regions and the rising sea level average. Potential effects of this phenomenon include more inconstant weather conditions, stronger and longer heat waves, more frequent intense precipitation events, and extreme weather events, such as flooding (Lubos, L., & Lubos, L., 2019). The possible occurrence of landslide and impractical incidence of earthquake to unknown rural areas are also effects of this phenomenon.

In the Philippines, home to almost 90 million people, is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Due to its geographical setting, the Philippines is naturally vulnerable to hydro meteorological hazards such as tropical cyclones, flooding, droughts, and rain-induced landslides. Moreover, climate change represents a serious threat to the Philippines which is heavily dependent on agriculture for food security and economic growth. The livelihood of millions of people in the country is threatened by the potential effects of climate change as current agricultural practices and other conditions are dependent primarily to the normal climate of the country (Tolentino., et al., 2016). In rural areas, that produces agricultural products like sugarcane, corn, rice, coconut, palm tree and many others for a living, people are dependent on the climate conditions that the environment could give as it is one considerations of such products to earn or in effect to poor production of crops.

Hence, the objective of this study is to determine the level of knowledge and practices on climate change of selected residents in a barangay. Specifically, this research study aims to determine the demographic profile of the households; the level of their knowledge and practices towards climate change; and the relationship of the profile of the participants to its level of responsiveness and action taken towards climate change.

 Statement of the Problem

This research study aimed to identify the level of knowledge and practices of selected households towards climate change. Moreover, the researcher seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the participants in terms of:
   • Age
   • Sex
   • Educational Attainment
   • Work Status
   • Monthly Income

2. What is the level of participant’s knowledge about climate change in terms of its causes and possible consequences?
3. What is the level of participant’s practices towards climate change?
4. Is there a significant relationship between the profile and the level of knowledge of the participants?
5. Is there a significant relationship between the profile and the level of practices of the participants?
6. Is there a significant relationship between the level of knowledge and the practices of the participants?

Hypothesis

Ho1: There is no significant relationship between the profile and the level of knowledge of the participants.

Ho2: There is no significant relationship between the profile and the level of practices of the participants.

Ho3: There is no significant relationship between the level of knowledge and the practices of the participants.

METHODOLOGY

This chapter outlines the methodology used in the study, detailing the research design, locale, participants, instrument, validity of the instrument, data gathering, scoring procedure, and statistical treatment.

Research Design

The descriptive research design with a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques was used in this study. A survey questionnaire was used to generate data to determine the demographic profile of the participants, level of knowledge and level of practices of the participants towards climate change. This study also used interview to selected households to gather supported data to the results of the level of knowledge and level of practices of the participants.

Research Locale

The study was conducted in Kadingilan, Bukidnon, focusing on selected households in Barangay Poblacion.

Research Participants

The participants included are the representative per household in Barangay Poblacion, with a target sample size of 109 households. Respondents were chosen using a simple random sampling based on a list of households, as indicated in the Barangay Poblacion Development Plan 2024-2028.

Research Instrument

The study utilized a survey instrument to gather data. Responses were collected with the use of questionnaire. A revised set of climate change questionnaire from the study of Lubos, Lesley & Lubos, Lalevie (2019) was used in the study. The part I of the questionnaire was to gathered data on the demographic profile of the participants in terms of age, sex, educational attainment, work status, and family monthly income. The part II gathered data with the participant’s knowledge on the possible causes or associated about climate change. While, part III gathered data on the participants practices already adapted towards climate change.

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument

The researchers-made questionnaire underwent a pilot test with 30 households in Don Carlos, Bukidnon. A Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.934 indicated high reliability. The validation process ensured the tool’s credibility in assessing the study’s constructs.

Data Gathering Procedure

Permission to conduct the study was obtained from relevant authorities of the institution. The researcher coordinated with the households through the Barangay Chairman in the Barangay Poblacion and distributed the survey to selected households. Data confidentiality was strictly maintained throughout the process. Once completed, the data were collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed.

Scoring Procedure

The following scale was used to interpret the level of knowledge of the participants:

The following scale was used to interpret the level of practices of the participants:

Statistical Treatment

The following statistical tools were used to analyze the data:

1. Frequency and Percentage – to describe the demographic profile of participants regarding age, sex, educational attainment, work status, and family monthly income.
2. Mean and Standard Deviation – to assess the level of knowledge and level of practices towards climate change.
3. Pearson r Correlation – to measure the degree of the relationship between the independent variable to the dependent variable of the study.

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

Problem 1. What is the profile of the participants in terms of:

1. Age
2. Sex
3. Educational Attainment
4. Work Status
5. Family Monthly Income

Table 1 shows the demographic distribution of households in Kadingilan, Bukidnon in terms of age, sex, educational attainment, work status and family monthly income. Most farmers ages 41-60 years old (55 or 50.5%), indicating mostly in the middle-aged adults. Farmers who are female (61 or 56.0%) was also notable contributors to the sample compared to male. Mostly of the households are college graduate (33 or 30.3%) were also notable contributors to the sample. While, mostly households are working (60 or 55.0%) and have a monthly income of less than 20,000.00 (58 or 53.2%).

Table 1 Demographic Profile of Respondents in Terms of Age, Sex, Educational Attainment, Work Status, and Family Monthly Income.

In terms of age, majority of the head of the household who responded are from the Middle–Aged Adults with a total of 55 participants, while 42 participants are categorized as Young Adults; and the minority of the head of the household who responded are from the Older Adults with 12 participants.

As to sex, there are 48 participants who are Male, while 61 participants are Female. This indicates that mostly of the head of the household who responded on the survey or 56 percent are female and 44 percent of the participants are male, which implies that among the total sample size, there are more female who responded and are considered as the head of the household than male.

In terms of educational attainment, there are 5.5 percent of the participants who are elementary graduate, 7.3 percent are elementary level, 25.7 percent are high school graduate, 13.8 percent are high school level, 30.3 percent are college graduate, 15.6 percent are college level and 1.8 percent of the participants are others. The result indicates that the highest educational attainment that the head of the households reached is a college degree with a total of 33 participants, followed with 28 participants who are already high school graduates, and there are 2 participants that is part of the other classification which may be consider as no education attained or they are with their post graduate studies.

As for the work status, there are 55 percent of the participants who are working and 45 percent are not working. This indicates that mostly head of the households or 60 participants are employed in an organization or company whether in regular or contractual status, while 49 participants are not employed, maybe they have their own farms or businesses to manage or they are just plain housekeepers.

For the family monthly income, there are 53.2 percent of the participants who has a monthly income of P 0 to P 20, 000; 37.6 percent of the participants has a monthly income of P 20,001 to P 50,000, and 9.2 percent of the participants has a monthly income of P 50,001 and above. This means that majority of the head of the household who responded are low wage earners with a total of 58 participants, while 41 participants are categorized as middle wage earners, and minority of the head of the household who responded are high wage earners with 10 participants.

This study is supported by Patlolla and Doodipala (2021), which emphasizes the significance of diversity in organizational studies, highlighted that diverse demographic representation leads to more comprehensive and accurate research findings. A nearly equal representation of males and females ensures that the data reflects a wide range of experiences and opinions. Vasumathi (2022) suggests that younger individuals may be less knowledge and practice towards climate change. Additionally, Sharma (2019) highlights the importance of mentorship programs in integrating households into the sector in the community, emphasizing the need for efforts to promote knowledge transfer and mentorship opportunities for continued climate change sustainability.

Furthermore, Kalaw (2023) stressed the education’s role in empowering households to embrace innovative practices towards climate change, while Laguador (2021) emphasized the importance of continuous learning and skills development in improving existing practices towards climate change. In the study of Dagdagan, C. (2022), which highlights the importance of understanding the distinctions of income diversity and its implications of climate change awareness.

Problem 2. What is the level of participant’s knowledge about climate change in terms of its causes and possible consequences?

The possible causes and consequences of climate change in the community depends on the how the residents understood about it. Determining the level of the residents’ awareness would help the researcher which part and to what extent we would help them to be more mindful about climate change.

Table 8 shows the mean distribution of the participant’s knowledge towards climate change and the interpretation of the weighted mean.

Table 2 Mean Distribution of Participant’s Knowledge towards Climate Change

As shown in Table 2, the average mean of the knowledge of the participants towards climate change is 3.51 with a SD of 0.62 and it is interpreted as “Highly Knowledgeable”. This indicates that the head of the households are highly knowledgeable about climate change in terms of its causes and possible consequences.

Specifically, the highest mean on the participant’s knowledge towards climate change is “El Niño/ La Niña” with a mean score of 3.79 with an SD of 0.43, and interpreted as “Highly Knowledgeable”. Followed by “frequent earthquake occurrence” with a mean score of 3.74 with SD of 0.46; and the “presence of landslide” with a mean score of 3.67, SD = 047. This indicates that among these environmental events, the participants are highly knowledgeable and they highly associated climate change to El Niño/ La Niña, frequent earthquake occurrence and presence of landslide.

Furthermore, the mean score of El Niño/ La Niña is supported by one of the participants that says, “The weather now is very different when we were still young. I experienced excessive hot weather even early in the morning when I am in my small farm.” While according to one participant, he supported the frequent earthquake occurrence is associated to climate change and said that, “We are located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is there are 90% active volcanoes are found in that area, and that includes the Philippine country, and we, the residents belong on that country. There are lots of earthquake, tsunami and typhoons. The location of the Philippine is very vulnerable, because we are near in the Pacific Ocean, not mountainous and it is close to any typhoons”. Finally, according to a participant that said, “The presence of landslide is an evident of climate change because of the change on the weather condition, where there are excessive rainfalls that softens the soil which holds the roots of the trees, resulted to heavy floods and landslides”.

Moreover, the lowest items which participants are moderately knowledgeable are “Industrial Disposal Practices like factory emissions and improper waste disposal” with a mean score of 3.19, SD=0.73; and “Poor Agricultural Practices like Pesticide misuse” with a mean score of 3.25, SD=0.73. This indicates that the participants are moderately knowledgeable on the possible causes of climate change such as industrial disposal practices and poor agricultural practices. According to a participant, as he said, “I don’t know details about these industrial practices as this are not evident in our community”.

The data revealed that the residents are highly knowledgeable on the environmental events that they are more likely experience in the community.

Problem 3. What is the level of participant’s practices towards climate change?

The researcher seeks to determine the level of the participants practices towards climate change that is adopted in their locality.

Table 3 shows the mean distribution of participant’s knowledge towards climate change and the interpretation of the weighted mean.

Table 3 Mean Distribution of Participant’s Practices towards Climate Change

As shown in Table 3, the average mean of the practices of the participants towards climate change is 3.56 with a SD of 0.50 and it is interpreted as “Highly Practiced”. This indicates that the head of the households highly practiced in one or more ways towards climate change. Further, this means that the participants have taken actions and developed sustainable climate change awareness strategy.

Specifically, the highest mean on the participant’s taken practices towards climate change is “Stopped cutting trees” with a mean score of 3.80 with SD of 0.40, and interpreted as “Highly Practiced”. This mean is supported by one of the participants that said, “Aside that it is practiced, there is a law that prohibits any cutting of trees regardless if you owns it or not. Aside from that, if you do need to cut trees, you have to ask permission from the barangay office, seek for a permit from the DENR, and look for a license trees cutter, after which is that’s the time that it is already okay to cut the trees”. The second highest mean is the “Planted plants in the house yard” with a mean score of 3.77 with an SD of 0.42, and interpreted as “Highly Practiced”. This mean score is supported by one participant that said, “Because in this time of Covid, people stays at their houses, plant any flowers and beautifies the backyard. This is also because I don’t have nothing to do during lockdown, and make use of the time at home”. Lastly, is the “Planted trees on riverbanks and seashores” with a mean score of 3.67, SD = 047, and interpreted as “Highly Practiced”. According to one participant, “I always see that the immediate action of the people are tree planting activities in different locations”.

Moreover, the lowest item with a mean score of 3.37, SD=0.59 is the “Cleaned or helped to maintain public drainage system from waste” which participants are still considered “highly practiced”. This mean is supported by the participant that said, “Yes Ma’am, helping cleaning the drainage is often practiced by my neighbors because the Local Government Unit personnel is scheduled to maintain the public drainage system every Friday and nearby our houses”. Nonetheless, even though is it the lowest mean, the residents still taken these actions towards climate change.

Problem 4. Is there a significant relationship between the profile and the level of knowledge of the participants?

The researcher would like to determine and assess if there is a relationship on the demographic profile of the participants to their level of knowledge towards climate change.

Table 4 shows the correlations of the independent variable which is the profile of the participants and the mean knowledge towards climate change of the participants.

Table 4 Correlations among the Profile of the Participants and their Level of Knowledge towards Climate Change

Note: N = 109.

As shown in Table 4, the relationships of the profile of participants in terms of age, sex, educational attainment, work status and monthly income and the level of their knowledge towards climate change.

Specifically, the profile of participants in terms of age and mean knowledge of the participants were found to be low positively correlated, r (107) = .14, p = .15. Moreover, the profile of participants in terms of sex and mean knowledge of the participants were found to be very low positively correlated, r (107) = .06, p = .57. The profile of participants in terms of their educational attainment and mean knowledge of the participants were also found to be low positively correlated, r (107) = .16, p = .10. While, the profile of participants in terms of work status and mean knowledge of the participants were found to be very low positively correlated, r (107) = .08, p = .43. Lastly, the profile of participants in terms of their monthly income and mean knowledge of the participants were found to be very low positively correlated, r (107) = .05, p = .62.

Generally, the data revealed that the p-value is greater than 0.05 which indicates that there is no statistically significant relationships between the profile’s age, sex, educational attainment, work status and monthly income to the level of knowledge of the participants. Thus, this indicates that the null hypothesis is accepted.

Problem 5. Is there a significant relationship between the profile and the level of practices of the participants?

The researcher seeks to determine the relationship of the demographic profile of the participants to the level of their practices to climate change to the community.

Table 5 shows the correlations of the independent variable which is the profile of the participants and the mean practices towards climate change of the participants.

Table 5 Correlations among the Profile of the Participants and their Level of Practices towards Climate Change

As shown in Table 5, the relationships of the profile of participants in terms of age, sex, educational attainment, work status and monthly income and the level of their practices towards climate change.

Specifically, the profile of participants in terms of age and mean practices of the participants were found to be very low positively correlated, r (107) = .01, p = .89. Moreover, the profile of participants in terms of sex and mean practices of the participants were found to be low positively correlated, r (107) = .23, p = .02. The profile of participants in terms of their educational attainment and mean practices of the participants were found to be very low positively correlated, r (107) = .03, p = .77. While, the profile of participants in terms of work status and mean practices of the participants were found to be very low positively correlated, r (107) = .09, p = .34. Finally, the profile of participants in terms of their monthly income and mean practices of the participants were found to be very low positively correlated, r (107) = .01, p = .93.

The data revealed that the p-value is greater than 0.05 for the profile’s age, educational attainment, work status and monthly income to the level of practices of the participants. Thus, this indicates that there is no statistically significant relationships between this variables. While, the p-value is less than 0.05 for the profile’s sex and the level of practices of the participants. This indicates that there is statistically significant relationships between this two variables.

Generally, the profile of the participants has no significant relationship on their level of practices to climate change. Thus, this indicates that the null hypothesis is accepted.

Problem 6. Is there a significant relationship between the level of knowledge and the practices of the participants?

The researcher seeks to determine if there is a relationship on the level of knowledge of the participants to their level of practices towards climate change.

Table 6 shows the correlations of the level of knowledge and the level of practices of the participants towards climate change.

Table 6 Correlations between the Level of Knowledge and Practices of Participants towards Climate Change

Note: N = 109.

As shown in Table 6, the level of knowledge (M = 3.51, SD = 0.62) of the participants towards climate change and the level of practices (M = 3.56, SD = 0.50) of the participants towards climate change were found to be very low positively correlated, r (107) = .030, p = .755. The data revealed that the p-value is greater than 0.05 which indicates that there is no statistically significant relationships between the profile’s level of knowledge and the profile’s level of practices. Thus, this indicates that the null hypothesis is accepted.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that in the participants profile, majority of the head of the households are in the middle-aged adult, female, finished a college degree, employed and in the low-wage earner. That those residents who lives in the rural area of a municipality does higher level of knowledge than those residents in the urban areas like for instance, near the river banks as stated on the study of Lubos, Lesley & Lubos, Lalevie (2019). Further, this may also conclude that the presence of an educational institution nearby the residents contributed to the level of their knowledge to climate change, in such a way that they may see what the institution applies to the community. The practices or actions taken by the residents is evident and is influence by the current experience in the locality due to the pandemic. Further, it can also conclude that the level of their practices is in effect of the various implemented programs by the Local Government Unit, or even the various educational institutions, which those residents are directly benefited due to reasons that they are residing at the central part of the municipality. There is no significant relationship between the profile and the level of knowledge of the participants towards climate change. This means that regardless of demographic profile in terms of age, sex, degree attained, work status or income, it will not affect to what the participants known about climate change. There is no significant relationship between the profile and the level of practices of the participants towards climate change.  This means that regardless of the demographic profile in terms of age, sex, degree attained, work status or income, it will not affect to what the residents already act responsible practices to protect the health and the environment. There is no significant relationship between the level of knowledge and the practices of the respondents. This concludes that the knowledge of the participants does not affect the level of their practices to climate change.

RECOMMENDATIONS

To the Local Government Unit of Kadingilan should craft strategic plans and programs that would address the Proper Solid Waste Management Program and create projects that would motivate the residents to participate as one community.

To the educational institutions will formulate projects that would include the nearby residents in the environmental management and disaster risk reduction programs. For instance, would be, the conduct of the Basic First-Aid Training in times of disaster or calamities in the community.

To the residents in their purok will create a team that would serve as an evaluator which monitors the implementation of practices, at the same time plans out more beneficial projects towards climate change preparedness to the locality.

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