93% of citizens say climate change makes life worse in Zimbabwe

The latest Afrobarometer report has revealed that more than half of Zimbabweans (56%) say they have heard of climate change, with an overwhelming 93% of those aware reporting that it is making life in the country worse—a sharp rise from 62% in 2021.

The survey, conducted by the Mass Public Opinion Institute between 1 and 15 June 2024, interviewed 1,200 adults across the country. It highlights growing public concern over climate-related challenges, including crop failures, droughts, and shifting weather patterns.

According to the report, almost all respondents said crop failures (95%) and droughts (94%) in their regions have become "somewhat more severe" or "much more severe" over the past decade, while 61% indicated that floods have become less intense. Trend analysis shows that reports of worsening droughts have nearly tripled, from 33% in 2017 to 94% in 2024.

In response to these changes, many citizens have altered their daily practices: 45% reduced water consumption or changed water sources, 41% adjusted outdoor work schedules, 37% of livestock owners changed grazing patterns or reduced livestock, and 35% changed the types of crops they plant or foods they consume. Rural residents were more likely than urbanites to adopt such adaptations, and the poorest communities reported the highest levels of adjustment. About one in ten respondents said they had relocated due to climatic changes.

Awareness of climate change was higher among men (60%) and urban residents (65%) compared to women (52%) and rural residents (49%). Education and news consumption also strongly correlated with awareness, rising from 31% among adults with only primary schooling to 87% among those with tertiary education.

Regarding causes of climate change, nearly half (48%) of respondents blamed human activity such as burning fossil fuels, while 18% cited a combination of human and natural processes, and 29% attributed it solely to natural weather patterns.

The report found that 60% of climate-aware Zimbabweans believe the government should take urgent action to limit climate change, while even larger majorities called on rich countries to act: 72% said wealthy nations should take immediate steps to curb climate change, and 73% said they should assist Zimbabwe in adapting to its impacts.

Citizens also expressed strong support for a range of policy responses. Majorities favour investing in climate-resilient infrastructure (80%) and renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar power (76%). Sixty-nine percent support pressuring rich countries for climate aid, 60% endorse requiring cleaner-burning cookstoves, and 54% back bans on tree cutting for firewood or charcoal.

The survey underscores that Zimbabweans are acutely aware of the threats posed by climate change and overwhelmingly support proactive measures, both domestically and internationally, to mitigate its impacts.

Afrobarometer is a pan-African, nonpartisan survey research network providing reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life.