"In May 2009, the BBC World Service Trust’s Research and Learning Group, on behalf of the British Council, conducted research in Senegal to gauge public understanding of climate change. The research consisted of 12 focus-group discussions with Senegalese citizens, as well as 17 in-depth interviews with opinion leaders from government, religious institutions, the private sector, the media and civil society. The overall objective was to find out what people think about climate change, and to determine how to tailor communication and media strategies to support Senegal’s response to climate change.<NZ>Key findings<NZ>Most Senegalese do not understand the science of climate change. They have, however, noticed changes in the weather and seasons. They tell of drought, increases in temperature and loss of distinct rainy seasons. Most people do not connect these with global climate change.<NZ>People in Senegal are keenly aware of environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources, but they make little distinction between this degradation and climate change.<NZ>Drought and scarcity of fish are causing frustration and despair. Farmers and fishermen do not have a sense of how they would cope if the problems became worse. Senegalese are also worried about bush fires, deforestation, flooding, rubbish and air pollution. opinion leaders are particularly concerned for rural communities.<NZ>There is a strong tendency for Senegalese to hold themselves individually and collectively responsible for local changes in the environment and the weather. There is little awareness that climatic problems – now or in the future – are likely to have causes that extend beyond Senegal.<NZ>Although opinion leaders recognise that climate change is a global problem, only a few recognise that industrialised countries are most responsible for causing it." (Executive summary)