Local adaptation practices to climate change in relation to food availability and production in Amazonia

Abstract

Numerous studies on climate change adaptation underscore the crucial role played by local communities in formulating strategies to address extreme events. Beyond challenges such as access to transportation, healthcare, and clean water, a key concern arising from extreme droughts and floods in the Amazonia region is ensuring access to quality food. In addition to the challenges posed by extreme events, seasonality is a central point of discussion when addressing food security and dietary practices in Amazonia. Food consumption relies on seasonal considerations, especially in communities far from urban centers. This work is the result of 230 semi-structured interviews carried out from 2022 through 2023 in the state of Amazonas, in the interdisciplinary project "SDG 2.4-AM - Understanding the role of social networks on food security in view of climatic extremes in Amazonas" which actively involved both social and natural scientists, fostering discussions that bridge the gap between various disciplines. In the discussion of this work, we present a typology of adaptation strategies employed by riverine communities located in Manaus, Carauari, and Tabatinga in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, to cope with extreme events that impact food availability and production.  Additionally, the work delves into the specific characteristics of each region regarding autonomous adaptation strategies. It argues that while many of these strategies are shared among the regions, due to socio-environmental considerations unique to each territory, one strategy gained prominence in each locality. The described autonomous strategies vary and include changes in cultivation locations, alterations in the timing of agricultural activities, as well as the purchase of both fresh and ultra-processed foods.  At the same time, regarding governmental institutional actors, the topics of climate change and food security still need to be well-established. The Amazonas Policy on Food Security and Nutrition does not refer to climate, extremes, or climate change, while the Amazonas Policy on Climate Change does not mention food security. Nevertheless, there is ample evidence of the profound interconnection between these topics and how one complexifies the other. This underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing the socio-environmental nuances of each region to tailor effective adaptation measures. The specific ways of life of riverine communities have adapted to the changes in the river, as well as shifts in dietary choices. However, extreme events have disrupted this calendar and added insecurity to food access. The debate in this work promotes the discussion of public policies for adaptation in Western Amazonia, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary studies interested in local practices that deepen the understanding of the relationship between climate change and food, as well as the protagonism and importance of the participation of traditional communities in the development of adaptation policies.