Determinants of Adapting to the Consequences of Climate Change in the Peruvian Highlands: The Role of General and Behavior-Specific Evaluations, Experiences, and Expectations

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Starting with the title and abstract, these reflect well the topic addressed in the manuscript and the variables explored in this study. The abstract is clear and clearly contains the content, the research problem and the most outstanding results. Regarding the keywords, they also contain the key aspects of the research as well as the most important variables.

 This paper explores the determinants of adaptation behaviors in a population in the Cusco region, Peru, and attempts to understand what favors adaptation to the consequences of climate change in this population. The purpose is to provide support to serve as a basis for campaigns that promote adaptation behaviors. The authors propose a novel concept for specifying adaptation behaviors and combine constructs from three research traditions in researching potential determinants of adaptation behaviors: 1) convincing people of the advantageous characteristics of the behavior specified as a target; 2) addressing more general evaluations not directly related to the behavior; and 3) referring to or creating experiences and expectations that promote the specified behavior.

 The article explores theoretical aspects of the determination of adaptation behavior and classifies well the different types of behaviors in relation to the consequences of climate change most closely related to the threats perceived in the region studied. The objective is to identify the determinants of adaptation behaviors by combining a double perspective: retrospective and prospective. Likewise, the study aims to estimate the explanatory power of direct evaluations of behaviors and general evaluations that can motivate adaptations to the consequences of climate change. The estimates included general trends to adapt to the consequences of climate change and the identification of differences between classes of behaviors and types of consequences of climate change.

 

Introduction

This approach es original and novel. Based on the criteria of the journal, I can comment that the introduction presents an updated state of the art, and defines very well the theoretical framework, as well as the different theories that are affected by the study, making the choices with good reasoning. The style and writing are correct and, in my opinion, it is sufficiently summarized with sufficient explanations that put the research carried out into context. The mention of the different articles does not present any confusion, describing well the most relevant antecedent research carried out by other authors and its connection with the research presented, which helps to define well the purposes of this one.

 

Method

The method and the materials (procedure and data analysis) are well described, establishing a subdivision in subsections that allows to distinguish well, both the constructs related to adaptation behaviors, as well as general evaluations, experiences and expectations.

 Nevertheless, the authors should describe with a little more clarity the data of the sample, since it speaks of 1,287 respondents. Then, it speaks of six versions of the questionnaire, and later it says that the analyses were based on three versions of the questionnaire, to finish by saying that 640 participants answered one of these three versions. The current explanation induces a little confusion. In order to adequately describe the sample, which is well balanced in gender, it should be further clarified what the sample size was and if a separate analysis was done for each consequence of climate change evaluated.

 Similarly, the type of method used in the regression analysis should be specified and the choice should be justified. Similarly, the low reliability (Cronbach Alpha) calculated for the construct Perceived Adaptation Efficacy, as well as for the assessment of General Trust, should be considered as a precautionary measure rather than saying that internal consistency is sufficient.

 

Results

The results describe well the relationships between the variables and hypotheses posed. They clearly and descriptively answer the problems presented and are well sequenced, allowing a good understanding of each of the research approaches formulated. The tables collect the data clearly and precisely and are well explained in the text.

 The results show interesting relationships and allow us to advance knowledge in a study carried out in a country in the Global South on which there is a great gap of studies. This gives value to the research carried out, even though the reliability of some scales is not very high, the general tendency, however, is towards acceptable variances and correlations.

 

Discussion

As for the discussion, the authors focus on the study data, without breaking it down, and putting their results in the light of their hypotheses and of the theory and previous research. Good interpretation and evaluation of results, answering the questions raised at the Introduction.

 The discussion expresses better than the introduction the relationship between the studies of the different authors who have worked on this issue. Even so, emphasis should be placed on the capacity for generalisation and the way in which external validity can be affected for other regions and problems. The discussion introduced by the authors is good, but they should make a greater effort to try to contextualise these results by explaining the differences found in light of the policies that exist in this country. An attempt should be made at a plausible explanation that allows it to be clearly stated that such differences are not due to sampling problems or other methodological issues previously mentioned that may affect validity.

 

In conclusion:

The contribution is clearly publishable and the study is very meritorious given its complexity. It has great significance, which is supported by clear objectives set out at the beginning and well developed throughout the following steps of the research.

 I therefore recommend that the article be accepted for publication, inviting comments or amendments to the brief comments referred to above on the methodology and external validity.

 

Author Response

The attached document contains the replies to the reviewer comments.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Manuscript title: Determinants of adapting to the consequences of climate change in the Peruvian highlands: The role of general and behavior-specific evaluations, experiences, and expectations

Manuscript ID:climate-3226072

The title by itself is very interested and enhances the readers’ curiosity. The elements presented in the document are also good. Accordingly, as the title explains, I was excited to Determinants of adapting to the consequences of climate change in the Peruvian highlands: The role of general and behavior-specific evaluations, experiences, and expectations at the study area. The manuscript can significantly contribute something for the global communities, specifically the Global South. I recommend the authors to perform substantial revision before recommended for publication. Some improvements are needed to make the better paper as follows:

The abstract is incomplete as it fails to explain how the sample size was determined and selected, and also lacks quantitative results. Why the authors put the sample size in range (n = 179 to 542)? Most of the results are to general. The authors should present some numerical values. The author should say how this study will help policymakers to design climate change adaptation strategies.

Introduction section: The authors should minimize the number of small sub-headings. 1.1; 1.2; 1.2.1; 1.2.2; 1.2.3; 1.3…..The authors can introduce all this information within one heading (Introduction). Please try to focus on your key message in the introduction section (maximum of three pages). Why the authors wrote more than five pages for introducing the topic and importance of the study? Please make short and precise as much as you can.

Under study area. It is better if the authors include study area map.

Methodology and result sections are ok.

Discussion section needs some improvements. The authors should compare and contrast their findings with the existing scientific literatures.

Author Response

The attached document contains the replies to the reviewer comments.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

No more comments.