Climate Change Awareness and Community Resilience in Sindh: Mediated by Behavioral Change and Moderated by Social Capital

Abstract

Climate change is one of the major threats of the vulnerable population in Sindh, Pakistan, which has impacted on livelihoods, social welfare, and adaptive capacity. This paper looks at how climate change awareness influences community resilience, the mediating variable of behavior change, and the moderating variable of social capital. Two hundred respondents were surveyed using a quantitative and cross-sectional survey design in rural and semi-urban communities that were vulnerable to climate risks like floods, heat waves, and water scarcity. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used in analyzing data to measure measurement and structural models. It has been shown that climate change awareness directly and indirectly improves the resilience of communities due to behavioral change. It was established that behavioral change is a powerful mediator, and adaptive actions are needed to supplement knowledge. In addition to this, the social capital moderates the behavior change and community resilience relationship positively where the importance of trust, networks, and collective action lie in enhancing adaptive capacity is highlighted. The paper highlights the importance of focusing on the new integrated interventions based on awareness campaigns, behavioral education, and community involvement to enhance the resilience outcomes. The insights can be useful in helping the policy makers, NGOs and local authorities to improve strategies in climate adaptation in high-risk regions of Sindh.