Climate and competing priorities in South Africa: an analysis of the population’s attitudes and perceptions toward environmental issues

ABSTRACT The known and expected consequences of climate change are dire and will hamper social and development. However, competing priorities, such as poverty, HIV and violence tend to be more visible on government agendas. In South Africa, growing inequalities result in the population being more concerned with socioeconomic problems. However, issues of poverty and unemployment, among others, are also the result of environmental degradation. This study examines the attitudes of South Africans toward environmental issues in relation to competing challenges. This cross-sectional study uses the nationally representative 2017 South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) of approximately 3 173 (n) adults. Results show that environmental issues rank 17th among the most important challenges. Further, 20.08% of the population who cite economic, 28.66% with social and 15.96% who report health competing interests also cite environmental concerns. Those who cited social competing interests were also more likely to report environmental concerns (OR = 1.56; CI: 1.55152–1.55866). In conclusion, environmental issues are not highly ranked among the priorities of the population. However, commonalities between climate and economic, social and health challenges is an ideal place to start with information dissemination.