Citizens say climate change is making life in Eswatini worse, demand stronger action from government, developed countries

Among nearly half of Emaswati who are aware of climate change, most say it is making life  in their country worse, a new Afrobarometer survey reveals. Large majorities call for  immediate action from the government and developed countries to limit its effects. 

Nearly half of climate-change-aware citizens assign primary responsibility for fighting climate  change to rich or developed countries, while roughly one-fourth say their own government must take the lead. 

Among all respondents, more than eight in 10 express support for pressuring rich countries to  provide resources to help Eswatini deal with changes in weather conditions. Large majorities  of citizens endorse investing in wind and solar technologies, even if it increases the price of  electricity, and in infrastructure to increase resilience to floods and droughts. 

In substantial numbers, Emaswati report having to adjust their lives in response to changing  weather patterns in the past five years, including about three in 10 who say they have had to  use less water or change water sources, change the types of crops they plant or the foods  they eat, and reduce or reschedule outdoor work.