Abstract
The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NX region) of Northwestern China is threatened by increased meteorological drought induced by climate change (CC) and constraints on water supply from the Yellow River. Thus, the NX region is representative of attempts to adapt to CC and variability in China’s arid regions. Field visits, a questionnaire and in situ inspections were conducted in 2012–2014 to understand people’s perception and awareness of drought and its impact, particularly with respect to adaptation strategies. We mainly focused on drought adaptation actions and planning implemented at the government level under the double pressures of drought and allocation. We described a suitable adaptation pathway for socio-economic sustainable development and discussed existing adaptation barriers. Construction of modern efficient water-saving agriculture lies at the core of drought adaptation, with socio-economic sustainable development being the ultimate goal. To achieve this, policies and institutional, engineering, technological, structural and social initiatives and measures—classified into macro adaptation strategies and specific coping measures—are implemented. Adaptation often encounters obstacles, e.g., policy issues from household contract responsibility systems, funding difficulties of low-income farmers, traditional behavioral habits and low education and literacy levels among farmers. The adaptation pathway involves the construction of modern efficient water-saving agriculture. Agricultural water savings are then transferred to developed industries, which back-feed socio-economic sustainable development in the NX region.
Highlights
Climate change (CC) is an alteration in the climate that can be identified by changes in the mean and/or variability of its properties, and persists for an extended period—typically decades or longer.climate change (CC) alters the frequency, intensity, spatial extent or duration of weather and climate extremes [1]. such changes have potential for positive impacts in some places—for example, a remarkable increased precipitation of up to 5%–10% is projected over most areas of China in the 21st century [2]—CC can lead to increased stress on human and natural systems and a propensity for adverse effects in many places around the world [3,4]
CC alters the frequency, intensity, spatial extent or duration of weather and climate extremes [1]. Such changes have potential for positive impacts in some places—for example, a remarkable increased precipitation of up to 5%–10% is projected over most areas of China in the 21st century [2]—CC can lead to increased stress on human and natural systems and a propensity for adverse effects in many places around the world [3,4]
This section firstly describes drought adaptation actions and planning implemented in the NX region from two aspects: the macro strategies and specific coping measures
Summary
CC alters the frequency, intensity, spatial extent or duration of weather and climate extremes [1]. Such changes have potential for positive impacts in some places—for example, a remarkable increased precipitation of up to 5%–10% is projected over most areas of China in the 21st century [2]—CC can lead to increased stress on human and natural systems and a propensity for adverse effects in many places around the world [3,4]. In the past few years, a series of severe droughts have been recorded in different parts of the world, including Africa, Asia and Australia. Subtropical Africa is projected to experience widespread drying [11] and future droughts in West Africa will be more severe than the present ones[12]
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