CLIMATE Change — a change in the average and statistics of variations of weather in a geographical region due, directly or indirectly, to human activity — is a pressing concern among many in the world.

This is so because of the challenges it presents, including rising sea levels, which leads, among other things, to coastal erosion; warmer global temperatures that could create health problems for both human and other species; more frequent and/or intense hurricanes and droughts that presents problems for agriculture.

Yet, despite the negative implications of climate change, there are many who appear largely unconcerned.

Environment Watch’s Denise Dennis recently engaged members of the public in Kingston on the subject, asking: Does the heat this summer have you concerned about climate change?

Steffi-Ann Davis, student

“I am not sure [whether I should be concerned], but this summer is definitely hotter than other summers.”

Donique Ferron, nursing student

“The place is very very hot. It has really been a concern because I am finding that even when the rain falls, it doesn’t have the same effect as it had before. I am not sure what is happening but the weather is kind of [unpredictable]. I am concerned, but what to do? It’s not like we can move to another planet.”

Rosalee Davis, unemployed

“I think it’s as a result of climate change because I watch the international news and I recognise that there is a lot of glacier melting, there is flooding and disasters that you don’t normally experience at this time and it is as a result of global warming. I have never felt it this hot before. Even when you feel the breeze, it’s still very hot.”

Norma Jackson, vendor

“It’s more than all the other years; night and day. Plus, with us being out here [vending], the sun a mad we. It rough this time, man.”

Granville Davison, retired

“I normally travel with my umbrella because it’s terribly hot. I am concerned because I have been listening to Minister [Robert] Pickersgill talking about it [climate change] on the TV; it’s a new thing and it’s rather interesting. We have never been seeing this type of drought before so it’s necessary to be really concerned about it.”

Omar, vendor

“Global warming really creates all of this heat because you can notice how it changes [over the years]. When you in your house lay down with your fan on, you can’t even be comfortable because the time is so hot. If at 10:00 in the morning, it’s so hot, imagine one o’clock; that time the place a bun up. Global warming make the thing a tun up ‘roun here.”