Title: Public knowledge of seawater desalination and its impacts on the environment in Gaza strip, Palestine

Authors: Saleh Aldaghma; José Luis Sánchez Lizaso

Addresses: University Institute of Water and Environmental Sciences, University of Alicante, San Vicente delRaspeig s/n, Alicante, Spain ' University Institute of Water and Environmental Sciences, University of Alicante, San Vicente delRaspeig s/n, Alicante, Spain

Abstract: This research assesses public awareness and knowledge about seawater desalination and its impacts on the environment in the coastal area in the Gaza strip, Palestine. In addition, the study investigates how socio-demographic, motivational factors, and information use shape public knowledge. Data was collected using a survey from a random sample of the residents who live in Dier Al balh City in the Gaza strip. Both People's self-assessed knowledge and factual knowledge indicators about desalination and its impacts on the environment were poor. Furthermore, it was found that people who were more connected with their place showed high awareness. Information resources indicate a low relation with self-assessed knowledge and awareness and lower with factual knowledge.

Keywords: desalination; water crisis; awareness; knowledge; environment; Gaza; Palestine.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2021.120430

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2021 Vol.20 No.1, pp.18 - 41

Accepted: 15 Jul 2021
Published online: 19 Jan 2022 *

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