(Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Centro de Investigación en Geografía Aplicada, 2021-06-14) Weibel, Marianne Claire
Climate change and sustainable development are well-known concepts, but their perceptions might considerably vary across academic and nonacademic communities and intercultural contexts. The present research examines the relationships and interlinkages of climate change and sustainable development in a comparative assessment of a suburban community with a local university within the central Andes (Cusco, Southern Peru). The main objective is to analyze both viewpoints for the discovery of new solutions to the climate/development antagonism through their combination. A thematic analysis pointing at a diverse set of climatic and socioeconomic characteristics allows identifying eight statements and twenty themes concerning climate change and sustainable development. Despite the diversity of cultural worldviews, evidenced by the Andean community being more problem-oriented whereas the academia points to collective solutions, both interviewee groups also share common perceptions, particularly about waste management. The comparative analysis of Peruvian academic and non-academic perceptions in Cusco offers a transversal viewpoint on the local impacts of national and global development, contributing to the construction of public awareness. Furthermore, this study provides transferable insights for tackling with long-term sustainability of developing countries, towards the transformation of inclusive and more resilient cities and communities as part of the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
