It takes two to tango: integrating meteorological knowledge and actions for disaster risk reduction

Abstract

In terms of meteorological prediction, it is broadly recognized that meteorological forecasts based on both local knowledge and science have strengths and weaknesses. It is also argued that actions taken by farmers in response to the meteorological information they receive are influenced by a range of factors or constraints. These constraints often require appropriate top-down support. This study examines the integration of sources of meteorological knowledge (i.e. local and scientific) and actions (i.e. both top-down support and bottom-up initiatives) within coconut farming communities in the Philippines. A case study approach using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods is adopted for data collection. Although the study shows that the integration of local knowledge and scientific meteorological information merely occurs spontaneously at individual level, and that the integration of top-down and bottom-up actions remains ineffective, it also points to the need for knowledge and actions to be integrated at community level.