The overall objective of the study was to assess the respondents’ perception of human-induced environmental challenges in the municipality. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the association between respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics and their environmental perceptions or concerns; assess the respondents’ knowledge of environmental problems in the municipality; examine the respondents’ perception on the causes of the environmental problems; and examine the respondents’ views on improving upon the quality of their environment.
The effects of human activities on the environment are evident in the changes to the functioning of the ecosystems, earth’s oceans, atmosphere, freshwater systems, and land surfaces resulting in environmental challenges including freshwater shortages, climate change, lost of biodiversity and exhaustion of fisheries.
Birim Central Municipality is endowed with abundant natural resources such as diamond and gold deposits, forest, fertile soil and many water bodies, which contribute to the socio-economic development of the municipality and the country as a whole. In spite of the continuous exploitation of these natural resources to meet the legitimate socio-economic aspirations of the people, adequate care has not often been taken to guard against the depletion and mismanagement of the resources in the municipality. This attitude has led to increase in human-induced environmental challenges such as land degradation, water and air pollution in the municipality. Moreover, there seem to be little or no effort by the residents in addressing the overexploitation of such resources and its impacts on the environment as well as on the people.
The issue of deforestation in Birim Central Municipality has become a serious concern for the Municipal Assembly. However, efforts by the Assembly to clump down on indiscriminate activities of the sawmill industries, charcoal burners, farmers and mining companies on the forest have not recorded much success. For example, the Forestry Commission Division of the Assembly made an attempt to register and to be able to monitor and control the activities of the chainsaw operators but only few were registered. In addition to the depletion of the forest, the future source of livelihood of many of the people which depends upon the natural environment will be severely affected.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- INTRODUCTION
- Background to the Study
- Statement of the Problem
- Research Questions
- Objectives of the Study
- Significance of the Study
- Delimitation of the Study
- Organization of the Study
- CHAPTER TWO
- REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
- Introduction
- Natural and Human-Induced Environmental Challenges
- Natural Environmental Challenges
- Human-Induced Environmental Challenges
- Land Degradation
- Deforestation
- Water Pollution
- Air Pollution
- Noise Pollution
- Social System Responses to Human-Induced Environmental Challenges
- Public Participation in Environmental Protection
- Cultural Responses to Environmental Protection
- The Role of Environmental Education in Environmental Protection
- The Role of Environmental Policy Institutions in Environmental Protection
- The Role of Environmental Protection Agency in Environmental Protection
- District Assemblies Role in Protecting the Environment
- The Role of Non Governmental Organizations in Protecting the Environment
- The Concept of Environmental Perception
- Knowledge or Awareness of Environmental Issues
- Theories of Attitudes and Behaviour Linkages
- Psychological Model Linking Attitude and Behaviour
- Perceived State-Pressure-Response Conceptual Framework for the Study
- CHAPTER THREE
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
- Introduction
- Research Design
- Study Area
- Sample Population
- Sampling Procedure
- Sample Size
- Data Collection Instruments
- Pre-Testing of Questionnaire
- Data Collection Procedures
- Reliability and Validity
- Data Processing and Analysis
- Summary
- CHAPTER FOUR
- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
- Introduction
- Respondents' Socio-demographic Characteristics and Environmental Concerns
- Respondents' Knowledge of the Environmental Problems in the Municipality
- Respondents' Perceived Major Environmental Problems in the Communities
- Respondents' Perceived Land Degradation in the Communities
- Respondents' Perceived Poor Sanitation in the Communities
- Respondents' Perceived Deforestation in the Communities
- Respondents' Perceived Water Pollution in the Communities
- Respondents' Perceived Air Pollution in the Communities
- Respondents' Perceived Flooding in the Communities
- Respondents' Views on Improving the Quality of the Environment
- Summary
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research aims to investigate the perception of residents in Birim Central Municipality towards human-induced environmental challenges. The study explores how the residents' perception of environmental issues influences their attitudes and behaviors. By analyzing data collected through surveys and interviews, the research seeks to understand the local community's understanding of environmental problems, their perceived causes, and their proposed solutions.
- Environmental Perception and Attitudes
- Human-Induced Environmental Challenges
- Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection
- The Role of Local Communities in Environmental Management
- The Impact of Socio-Demographic Factors on Environmental Perception
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction provides context for the study by highlighting the growing global concern over environmental issues and the importance of understanding public perception in addressing these challenges. The chapter then introduces the specific problem of human-induced environmental degradation in Birim Central Municipality, citing examples of deforestation, water and air pollution, and the municipality's efforts to mitigate these issues.
Chapter two, “Review of Related Literature,” delves into existing research on human-induced environmental challenges, examining concepts such as land degradation, deforestation, pollution, and public responses to environmental issues. The chapter also explores theoretical frameworks linking attitudes and behavior to environmental perceptions.
Chapter three focuses on the research methodology employed in the study. It outlines the research design, study area, sample population, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
Chapter four presents the results and discussion of the study, examining the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and their perceptions of various environmental challenges. The analysis reveals the residents' understanding of the environmental problems in the municipality, their perceived causes, and their opinions on possible solutions.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords in this study include environmental perception, human-induced environmental challenges, sustainable development, public awareness, community engagement, environmental protection, and Birim Central Municipality. The research explores the relationship between these concepts and their implications for environmental management in the local context.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Clarke Owusu (Autor:in), 2015, Perception of Human-Induced Environmental Challenges in the Birim Central Municipality, Ghana, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/454385
