Rural Malawi households' environmental concern and consciousness about appropriate energy consumption practices amidst prevailing socio-economic conditions

Abstract

Malawi rural households’ dependence on fuelwood as a form of energy and as a source of income is contributing to alarming rates of deforestation in the country with detrimental consequences for climate change. This study targeted two of the rural areas in the southern part of Malawi, worst affected by climate change in recent years. The study aimed to generate empirical evidence of households’ energy consumption as a consequence of their way of life, and to gather evidence of their practical- and discursive consciousness concerning sustainable consumption practices and climate change as pre-requisites to facilitate and promote behavioural change. This research was conducted in three sequential phases. Phase 1 entailed a quantitative survey that involved 231 non randomly selected households from two rural areas, namely Balaka and Phalombe, in the south of Malawi. Questionnaires were completed in interview format, facilitated by trained research assistants following a pre-test in a nearby village. Phase 2 entailed focus group discussions with selected members from phase 1, to allow opportunity for discussion of main topics. Phase 3 involved the contribution of government officials and important role players to share their views about environmental issues, the issue of indiscriminate deforestation and use of energy sources by communities. Results show that biomass, including fuelwood, is still the predominant source of energy that most rural households use for diverse activities because other sources of energy are either inaccessible, or too expensive. Negative consequences such as respiratory problems caused by smoke inhalation are therefore common among females and children who are constantly exposed to toxic substances that are present in the air in their homes and immediate surrounds. The wood that is used, is mostly collected by females who perform this tedious task almost daily, collecting from nearby woodlots and forests, further aggravating deforestation. Households’ practical consciousness of sustainable energy consumption practices seem fairly good and their discursive consciousness, specifically with regard to the effect of climate change on rainfall patterns, micro- and macro factors that are responsible for climate change, are fairly impressive. This may be attributed to first-hand experience of the environmental challenges that they have experienced in recent years. Unfortunately, lack of knowledge concerning the implications of their behaviour in terms of the economic growth of the country, as well as nearby countries’ well-being, confirm the complexity of the phenomenon that may be difficult for them to comprehend. Concerted effort is thus required by local- and Governmental bodies to educate and empower communities socially and economically, also to supply safer sources of energy to replace what they are obliged to use presently. Rural households are struggling financially and will not be able to adapt their behavioral practices without the premeditated support of government and relevant role players who have an interest in environmental issues and who have the well-being of Malawi citizens at heart.