Background: Extreme heat and intense rainfall events are increasing in the Mediterranean, posing a threat to public health. Household-level adaptation measures can help reduce risks. For example, trees in yards can contribute to health benefits associated with urban greenery, including cooling.
Methods: The study examines perceptions and personal experiences regarding climate hazards; and willingness to implement household-level adaptation measures, including ones with more collective than individual benefits. The telephone questionnaire was administered in 2024 to 566 Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, representative for gender and region, and close to representative for age and education.
Results: 43.3% of respondents reported experiencing negative consequences due to at least one climate hazard. Among those with negative consequences from heat, over 80% mentioned health effects. Worry about heat was higher (81.4%) compared to worry about infectious diseases (65.5%). Southern residents were more worried about drought than in other regions. Over half of respondents expressed willingness to take 7 out of 8 adaptation measures included in the survey. Self-efficacy, social norms, and outcome efficacy were found to be positively associated with willingness to act, more than demographics or perceptions of climate change.
Conclusions: When faced with competing concerns, collective adaptation can be challenging. However, respondents showed significant willingness to take several measures. Municipal health units, health promotion officers, and others engaged in Healthy City or Climate Change Adaptation plans should consider the potential contribution of households as partners in promoting health goals such as urban greening, prevention of sewage overflows, and protection of vulnerable populations.
