Research On Coupling Relation Between Public Perception On Climate Change And Adaptive Behavior In Northern Shaanxi

Northern Shaanxi is ecologically fragile zone and sensitive to global change. In the context of adaption is a universally advisable choice, the research of public response process on climate change based on perception is useful for slowing down man-made climate change. Besides, it can help to instruct the establishment of related policies and lay the scientific foundation of region sustainable development.This paper builds a supposed model that shows the coupling relation between public perception(fact perception, knowledge perception, cause perception, consequence perception) on climate change and adaptive behavior based on literature review and theory analysis. Combining questionnaire data with meteorological monitor data in northern Shaanxi, this paper uses spatial interpolation, reliability and validity analysis, trend analysis, correlation analysis, multivariable regression analysis, independent-samples T test, one-way analysis of variance through statistical software Arcgis10.0,Excel,SPSS20.0. This paper attempts to clarify the coupling relation between public perception on climate change and adaptive behavior. The main conclusions in this paper are as follows:(1) The climate of northern Shaanxi had experienced a significant change in the last 40 years. The warming rate of Yulin region and Yan’an region were 0.25℃/10 a and 0.49℃/10 a respectively. However, the rainfall variation in northern Shaanxi had region difference. The trend of precipitation of Yulin region and Yan’an region is not significant, it has a periodical vibration.(2) Public of northern Shaanxi has moderate level of climate change perception and adaptive capacity. Most public can perceive temperature trends correctly, however, their perception on precipitation trends deviates from the truth. Public knowledge perception on climate change is at flunked level, they have a poor knowledge of the related knowledge. Public’s sensitivity of cause and consequence perception on climate change is weak, their responsibility is at a low level. The score of public behavioral intention on climate change is at good level, but their responsibility is still not strong.(3) Public fact perception, knowledge perception, reason perception and consequence perception on climate change of northern Shaanxi have significant and positive influences on adaptive behavior.(4) Public in northern Shaanxi with different social characteristics and psychological characteristics behave differently in climate change perception and adaptive behavior. The local residents in Yulin, younger age groups, people with high and low education levels, people with middle class income, people in state organ, public enterprise unit, caregivers of climate change, positive people and supporters of the fragile environment view have high levels of climate change perception and adaptive behavior.