Experiential Knowledge of urbanites on climatic changes in the Sunyani municipality, Ghana

ABSTRACT Experiential Knowledge (EK) is essential to our understanding of any social system and its evolution over time. With respect to climate change, EK is important because it serves as the basis for locally grounded, and place-sensitive adaptation and mitigation measures. However, despite the rapid urbanization, depletion of vegetative cover, and noticeable changes in the local climate of Sunyani, a mid-sized city in Ghana, limited empirical studies have focused on the experiential knowledge of the population on climatic changes in the city as a way of informing adaptation and mitigation responses. Employing in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, this study examines the experiential knowledge of the people of Sunyani on climatic changes. The study finds that although the residents of Sunyani have no in-depth knowledge of the scientific fundamentals of climate change, they appreciate the rapidly changing climate due to their long-lived experiences and interactions with the natural environment. Consequently, the study recommends the use of experiential knowledge that is locally grounded and place sensitive in tandem with scientific facts for the formulation of climate change adaptation and mitigation responses for Sunyani and other Ghanaian cities.

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