Does knowledge about climate change imply adaptation? Analysis of farmers in Northeast Brazil

Abstract We analyze the relationship between farmer’s knowledge about climate change and the adoption of adaptive strategies. The study area was the Brazilian Northeast (Rio das Contas basin, Bahia). Methodologically, we estimated a Seemingly Unrelated Bivariate Probit model. The results showed that knowledge and adaptation are correlated and should be considered together. Farmers who are aware of the climate change effects are more likely to adapt. This finding reinforces the importance of considering the perception, knowledge and socioeconomic conditions of individuals in the formulation of public policies to counteract the negative effects of climate change.