Climate Change Awareness and Adaptive Behavior in low-Income Communities: Comparative Analysis of Pakistan and Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Low-income communities in South Asia are disproportionately vulnerable to climate change due to their exposure to floods, cyclones, heatwaves, and limited adaptive capacity. Pakistan and Bangladesh rank among the most climate-affected countries, yet their policy responses and community adaptation outcomes differ significantly. Understanding awareness and adaptive behavior in these populations is critical for strengthening resilience.
Objectives: This study aimed to compare climate change awareness and adaptive behaviors among low-income communities in Pakistan and Bangladesh and to identify the socioeconomic determinants influencing adaptation.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional design was employed from March to July 2025 in two provinces each of Pakistan (Sindh, Punjab) and Bangladesh (Khulna, Chattogram). A multistage sampling approach selected 428 households (212 in Pakistan, 216 in Bangladesh). Structured questionnaires, complemented by key informant interviews, captured socio-demographic data, awareness levels, and adaptation strategies. Data were analyzed using SPSS v27, applying descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression. Qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis.
Results: Awareness of climate change was significantly higher in Bangladesh (71.8%) than in Pakistan (58.5%; p=0.012). Bangladeshi households demonstrated greater reliance on structured adaptive behaviors such as crop diversification (52.8% vs. 36.3%), use of early warning systems (61.1% vs. 21.7%), and participation in community adaptation plans (44.4% vs. 19.8%). Pakistani households more frequently adopted reactive coping strategies, including temporary migration (33.0% vs. 18.1%). Logistic regression revealed that education (OR=2.14, 95% CI: 1.38–3.32), household income (OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.11–2.78), and awareness (OR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.65–4.31) were significant predictors of adaptive behavior (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The findings highlight Bangladesh’s relative success in embedding community-based adaptation, while Pakistan relies more heavily on individual and reactive strategies. Education, income, and climate change awareness were key determinants of adaptive behavior in both contexts. Strengthening grassroots adaptation, improving literacy, and institutionalizing community participation are essential for enhancing resilience in low-income South Asian communities.