Perceived climate disruption but global warming insufficiently taken into account in Mauritania
Although Mauritania is one of the countries most vulnerable to and least prepared for global warming (1), the phenomenon is ignored or misunderstood by the vast majority of the population. Only the political elite tackle the issue, particularly in speeches addressed to international audiences.
67%
of Mauritanians have never heard of climate changes (2)
According to the latest Afrobarometer report, 67% of Mauritanians have never heard of climate change. A higher average than in neighboring countries, which are themselves less vulnerable to global warming. In Senegal and Morocco, studies show that 51% and 43% of the respective populations are unaware of the phenomenon. (3 - 4)
How climate change is affecting life in Mauritania (5)
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In addition to being little-known, the subject suffers from poor understanding. For 53% of Mauritanians who are familiar with global warming, it is perceived positively as a phenomenon that improves daily life. These results are all the more surprising given that the majority of Mauritanians are aware that they have been suffering from worsening climatic conditions (droughts, floods) for at least a decade.
2%
articles from the Mauritanian press mention global warming between 2022 and 2023 (6)
18%
articles from the Senegalese press mention global warming between 2022 and 2023 (7)
As in many countries in the sub-region, low development indices and very low CO2/person emissions partly explain this lack of environmental awareness. Interestingly, in contrast to neighboring countries, the topic of climate change is particularly under-represented in the Mauritanian press. Between 2022 and 2023, less than 2% of articles in the Mauritanian press mentioned the subject. By comparison, over the same period, 18% of articles in the Senegalese press mentioned global warming. Playing a key role in the daily lives of Mauritanians, the press is a key axis for changing this (lack of) perception.
The quality of Mauritanian journalists, coupled with a dynamic network of associations and the government's determination to strengthen the country's climate policy, offer hope of a gradual and radical change in the way this subject is perceived.
Back to key figures and perceptions
1 - THE GREAT CONTINENT. (September 23, 2022). The countries most vulnerable to climate change are those with the lowest CO2 emissions. https://legrandcontinent.eu/fr/2022/09/23/les-pays-les-plus-vulnerables-au-changement-climatique-sont-ceux-qui-emettent-le-moins-de-co2/
2 - AFROBAROMETER (August 2023). Mauritanians are poorly informed about climate change. https://www.afrobarometer.org/articles/les-mauritaniens-sont-peu-informes-des-changements-climatiques/
3 - AFROBAROMETER (April 2023). Climate change in Senegal: Between ignorance and feelings. https://www.afrobarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AD628-Changements-climatiques-au-Senegal-Afrobarometer-4avril23.pdf
4 - AFROBAROMETER (September 2023). Moroccans experience the effects of climate change. https://www.afrobarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AD697-Marocains-vivent-les-effets-des-changements-climatiques-Afrobarometer-v-8sept23.pdf
5 - See note 1
6 - Audit conducted by Candela on articles published by the Mauritanian Press Agency during 2022-2023.
7 - Audit conducted by Candela on articles published by the Senegalese Press Agency during the year 2022-2023