Climate Adaptive Capacity Research Articles

Assessing the current health effects of climate change in the Netherlands

Abstract The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has assessed the current effects of climate change on health as part of a national sector-wide process towards updating the Dutch National Adaptation Strategy. Besides health, this process includes assessing the risks of climate change for water management, agriculture, the built environment, nature and other sectors. It will provide a basis for policy, for prioritising the most urgent risks and for long-term risk monitoring. Six climate-related health topics were assessed for this update: heat, air quality, mental health, UV radiation, pollen allergies and infectious diseases. To allow comparison of the impact and likelihood of the climate-related risks across sectors, a format for factsheets on climate risks had been provided. Following this format, for each climate-related health topic we considered the climate threat, secondary effects, exposure, vulnerability, adaptive capacity, impact and cascading effects. The magnitude of the health impacts was categorised per topic as low (< 10,000 people affected; 0 - 10 seriously injured/dead), medium (10,000 - 100,000 people affected; 10 - 100 seriously injured/dead) or high (>100,000 people affected; >100 seriously injured/dead). The likelihood of these impacts was then described as well as possible black swan events or tipping points. Finally, the policy context was outlined, including possible maladaptation, lock-ins, and equity aspects, followed by quality assurance considerations. For all topics, negative health impacts are already occurring. However, the magnitude of the impacts cannot yet be accurately quantified. In this presentation, we will discuss the results of this assessment and explore the pros and cons of being part of a sector-wide process.

144 Assessing economic implications of thermal stress of Bos indicus and Bos taurus species during finishing in northern Colorado

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the economic implications of thermal stress on climate adaptive capacity, resiliency, and impact of Bos indicus and Bos taurus finishing steers using common finishing systems. The experimental design was a completely randomized design, with a 2 by 2 factorial arrangement of finishing system (‘natural’ or ‘conventional’) and species of cattle (Bos indicus or Bos taurus). Steers [n = 200; body weight (BW) ~450 kg] were housed in 20 feedlot pens (10 steers/pen) for the first 84 d, where cattle were blocked by initial BW. For the remainder of the 180 d (96 d) finishing period, cattle were moved to four Climate Smart Research Pens (50 steers/pen, 1 pen/ treatment, and species combination). Within each Climate Smart Research Pen, five SmartFeed systems were used to evaluate individual animal feed intake, one GreenFeed emission measurement system was used to evaluate individual animal gas emissions flux of enteric CH4, O2, H2, and CO2, and were equipped for nutrient mass balance of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Animal BW were collected every 28 d for analysis of average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency. Thermal stress behaviors were evaluated by one trained personnel on a subset of 7 steers/treatment via the measurement of respiration rate, open mouth breathing, rumen temperature, number of daily water intake events, lying and standing behavior, and pen surface temperature for the last 96 d of the finishing period. At harvest, carcass characteristics, liver scores, and heart scores were collected. Economic analyses were conducted post-hoc to determine the profitability of each species based on economic implications, tradeoffs, carcass quality and quantity, and time to finish. Selection of cattle for climate adaptive features may involve production tradeoffs (e.g., depressed rate of gain, greater yield risk, lower technical efficiency) and adjustment costs (e.g., re-optimizing feed for a new breed), which affect the adoption of less common breeds into the US cattle supply chain. Adding to the complexity of this evaluation, consumers preferences may not adapt quickly, affecting the prospect of Bos indicus cuts of meat in the market. We also, therefore, explore the supply- and demand-side effects of climate change adaptation through breed selection in the beef industry.

Biogeographic climate sensitivity controls Earth system response to large igneous province carbon degassing.

Periods of large igneous province (LIP) magmatism have shaped Earth's biological and climatic history, causing major climatic shifts and biological reorganizations. The vegetation response to LIP-induced perturbations may affect the efficiency of the carbon-climate regulation system and the post-LIP climate evolution. Using an eco-evolutionary vegetation model, we demonstrate here that the vegetation's climate adaptation capacity, through biological evolution and geographic dispersal, is a major determinant of the severity and longevity of LIP-induced hyperthermals and can promote the emergence of a new climatic steady state. Proxy-based temperature reconstructions of the Permian-Triassic, Triassic-Jurassic, and Paleocene-Eocene hyperthermals match the modeled trajectories of bioclimatic disturbance and recovery. We conclude that biological vegetation dynamics shape the multimillion-year Earth system response to sudden carbon degassing and global warming episodes.

Climate change and adaptive capacity in the community of Diaguitas, Chile: A descriptive-comparative vision in two time periods

ABSTRACT Water scarcity is a phenomenon that has generated great concern today. The drought scenario has particularly affected rural communities in the semi-arid region of northern Chile socially, economically, and environmentally as they try to adapt to climate change. This article focuses on the description and comparison of the institutional adaptive capacity of the Chilean community of Diaguitas to adapt to the effects on water resources and extreme events during two periods of time (2004–2007 and 2018–2019). This qualitative study considered the administration of interviews, field observations, and focus groups using the adaptive capacity wheel as a methodological basis. The results show differences in the ability to adapt between the two periods studied with most of the adaptive dimensions at a neutral or no effect level and the emergence of a new dimension of social capital. It was concluded that the adaptive capacity of the Diaguitas might have improved over time, influenced by the increased awareness of the consequences of climate change and the establishment of supportive institutions. It is necessary to incorporate new perspectives into water management, such as indigenous knowledge and collaborative resource management.

The pull vs push approach to building climate change adaptive capacity: does innovation matter

ABSTRACT Good governance and innovation have been identified as important contributors towards the achievement of climate change goals but without an empirical cross-examination of their impact on climate adaptive capacity. Using panel data for 138 countries from 1998 to 2020, we utilize a mixed-effects linear regression model to predict adaptive capacity to climate change as a function of government effectiveness (governance push), voice and accountability (governance pull), and their interactions with innovation. Our results reveal that governance push (government effectiveness) positively impacted climate change adaptive capacity and that innovation moderated this relationship. Interestingly, we found no significant main effect of the governance pull (voice and accountability) dimension on climate change adaptive capacity, while controlling for other governance factors. Our findings seek to draw policymakers' attention to government effectiveness (governance push) as the most impactful governance in building adaptive capacity and how innovation can be leveraged as a mechanism for enhancing the impact of the governance push dimension (government effectiveness) on adaptive capacity.

Climate Resilience, Vulnerability, Differential Impacts and Adaptive Capacity in Nigeria

This research investigates and promotes climate resilience in Nigeria’s vulnerable communities, which are disproportionately affected by climate change. How climate change worsens existing problems such as food insecurity, poverty, and conflict in Nigeria serve as the rationale to this study. Hence, defining climate resilience, reviewing relevant literature, and conducting a case study to generate evidence-based recommendations give insight into the objectives of this study. Therefore, reviewed literature shows the diverse impacts of climate change on disadvantaged groups, such as small-scale farmers and urban coastal dwellers. Vulnerability assessments highlight the need for adaptive capacity, integrating local knowledge in solutions. Case studies illustrate vulnerabilities in poor urban coastal areas, rural regions, and the Niger Delta. Differential impacts are examined, such as the gendered effects of climate change on women and the challenges faced by indigenous communities and urban slums. Adaptive capacity is discussed, stressing social capital, collective action, and the interrelation of adaptation, adaptive capacity, and vulnerability. Adaptive capacity assessment in Nigeria indicates difficulties in rural farming households and urban coastal communities, requiring enhanced capacities. Indigenous knowledge plays a vital role in adaptive measures, fostering resilience. Resilience enhancement strategies emphasize social justice, inclusive governance, and community-based adaptation, acknowledging the significance of local empowerment and participation. Technology and innovation provide possibilities but need context-specific methods. These strategies can help build climate resilience in Nigeria’s vulnerable communities, offering a basis for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to tackle the complex challenges of climate change.

Determining the climate adaptive capacity of urban actors: a case study of Mongla port-townin Bangladesh

PurposeIn an urban environment, different types of actors (individuals, households, community groups, institutions, governmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), community-based organizations (CBO) and public and private organizations, etc.) play critical roles in enhancing urban resilience to adapt to the impacts of climate change. To identify and prioritize aspects of climate resilience planning, this study aims to examine the potential impacts of climate change on diverse urban systems and evaluate the capacities of various actors to adapt to climatic stress.Design/methodology/approachThis research selects Mongla, a coastal as well as port town in south-western Bangladesh that faces climate risks including frequent cyclones, storm surges and salinity intrusion due to sea-level and temperature rise, as reported in the National Climate Vulnerability Index 2018. This research uses the methodology proposed by ICLEI South Asia’s Climate Resilient Cities Action Plan and accesses different urban actors’ adaptive capacity for contributing to enhancing climate resilience based on three broad characteristics: the capacity to organize and respond, availability of resources and access to information. The cumulative scores of these characteristics aid in determining the climate adaptive capacity of each urban actor.FindingsThe identified 53 actors are grouped into four categories: government (local and national); international/local NGOs, CBOs and associations; community representatives and private sectors and groups and individuals. The group of NGOs, CBOs and associations has a higher overall adaptive potential than all other actor groups, according to the study. When it comes to practicing adaptive capacity, government institutions are in the second-highest position. But, the Khulna development authority, the government agency that is in charge of overseeing all forms of urban development, scored poorly on all fragile urban systems. However, the performance of the fourth group of urban actors is very subpar when it comes to adapting to climatic stress, which emphasizes the need for focused interventions.Research limitations/implicationsVariations in adaptive capacities to climate change across different actors are particularly useful for targeting actors with lower levels of climate adaptive capacities in Mongla town.Originality/valueThis paper particularly addresses the research gap in assessing the adapting capacity of urban actors in Mongla port-town. Policymakers and practitioners can create and carry out targeted interventions that address the particular needs and concerns of vulnerable actors by making use of the insights obtained from this kind of study, thereby assisting in the development of climate resilience in any urban area.

Assessing climate change vulnerability of coastal roads

Climate change is a global phenomenon, which affects in several ways different regions all around the world, beyond the rise in global temperature. Among the different climate change issues, the management of transport infrastructures is crucial. Particularly, their vulnerability against changes in climatic conditions should be assessed. Vulnerability indicators are based on the IPCC concept of vulnerability and can be defined as a function of Climate Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive Capacity. These dimensions need to be addressed during the assessment making and can be modelled as a Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) problem. This study proposes an integrated approach of several MCDA methods as a possible tool for ranking the climate change vulnerability of coastal roads in Malta. The application covers six coastal roads in the islands of Malta, classified by three different MCDA methods. The results indicate that the proposed approach can produce a consistent ranking of the climate change vulnerability of coastal roads. The study provides policy and decision-makers with a definition of a coastal road, an inventory of such roads, a list of climate change impacts, and a mathematical model incorporating climate change vulnerability indicators. The model can be used to prioritize investment and plan climate change adaptation strategies for infrastructural works on coastal roads.

Distribution patterns and driving factors of mixed-ploidy Actinidia species in China

Polyploidization is an important driver for species formation and adaptive evolution, which results in mixed-ploidy species in the nature, i.e., one species contains at least two cytotypes. Understanding the driving factors of mixed-ploidy species offer unique insights into unraveling the evolutionary mechanisms of polyploid species. Here we investigated the distribution patterns and driving factors of 40 Actinidia species in China. Polyploid Actinidia species formed from whole-genome duplication (WGD). Actinidia species showed a mosaic geographic pattern. The potential range of mixed-ploidy Actinidia species is significantly larger than diploid and polyploid species, with higher ecological amplitude of longitude, latitude and elevation. Mixed-ploidy species showed wider temperature and water niches than diploid and polyploid species, and the tolerate capacity of mixed-ploidy species to climate extremes increased with ploidy diversity. Polyploid Actinidia species occupied niches of high altitude, low temperature and drought, supporting the niche shift hypothesis to explain the survival of polyploids. Ploidy diversity and mixed-ploidy effect was positively correlated with the ecological amplitude of temperature. Our results support that the formation and distribution of polyploidy species are associated with climate factors and adaptation capacity to abiotic stresses, and highlight the importance of mixed-ploidy species in the species formation and adaptive evolution.

Three faces of climate change: Using Q-methodology to understand farmers’ perspectives of climate change and adaptive capacity in Bangladesh’s wetland areas

Even though the weather-dependent agricultural sector is severely impacted by climate change and requires more adaptive measures, climate change adaptation in the global south is slow. The perception of farmers, who are the final decision-makers, strongly influences the adoption of climate-smart technologies and the (un)willingness to follow recommended measures. Although perception studies have attracted the international community’s interest, these studies have disregarded the heterogeneity within the farming community. Our study uses Q-methodology to address this gap by examining small-scale farmers’ perspectives on climate change and their perceived adaptation capacity in wetland areas of north-eastern Bangladesh. Following post-sort interviews, 36 farmers were invited to participate in the Q-sorting using 34 pre-selected statements. The study revealed three distinct types of perspectives on climate change and adaptive capacity: theists who believe in the act of God and take a “do nothing” approach, realists who believe in climate change but are unaware of climate change trade-offs, and pragmatists who recognize climate change and actively pursue adaptations. The awareness of different climate change perspectives can support policymakers and extension service providers. By replacing their one-size-fits-all approach, they can better assist wetland farmers in developing and implementing tailored adaptation strategies.

Public engagement and collaboration for carbon dioxide removal: lessons from a project in the Dominican Republic

Despite an increase in literature on public perceptions of carbon dioxide removal (CDR), there remains a paucity of evidence describing the social and developmental processes involved in the implementation of projects in-situ. This research illustrates a case study documenting a planned research project for coastal enhanced weathering—a form of ocean alkalinity enhancement—in a remote, rural area of the Northwestern Dominican Republic, a Small Island Developing State particularly at risk from climate change impacts. This paper is a collaboration between the company responsible for the project (Vesta) and researchers located in the Dominican Republic and the United Kingdom, We draw upon 2 years' worth of surveys, interviews, focus groups, group information sessions, and reflexive documentation by the Dominican Republic researchers, to present a first-hand account of local community responses to the planned research project and to coastal enhanced weathering and climate change more broadly. We discuss themes of climate vulnerability, justice, and adaptive capacity through the lens of the collaborative governance and social diffusion principles that the project was designed with. We also reflect on a program of outreach and participatory activities which was established to support community development in the areas surrounding the field trial site, as informed by exploration of community needs drawn from the research.

Influence of microclimate and forest management on bat species faced with global change.

Climate refugia, areas where climate is expected to remain relatively stable, can offer a near-term safe haven for species sensitive to warming temperatures and drought. Understanding the influence of temperature, moisture, and disturbance on sensitive species is critical during this time of rapid climate change. Coastal habitats can serve as important refugia. Many of these areas consist of working forestlands, and there is a growing recognition that conservation efforts worldwide must consider the habitat value of working lands, in addition to protected areas, to effectively manage large landscapes that support biodiversity. The sensitivity of forest bats to climate and habitat disturbance makes them a useful indicator taxon. We tested how microclimate and forest management influence habitat use for 13 species of insectivorous bats in a large climate refugium in a global biodiversity hotspot. We examined whether bat activity during the summer dry season is greater in forests where coastal fog provides moisture and more stable temperatures across both protected mature stands and those regularly logged. Acoustic monitoring was conducted at a landscape scale with 20 study sites, and generalized linear mixed models were used to examine the influence of habitat variables. Six species were positively associated with warmer nighttime temperature, and 5 species had a negative relationship with humidity or a positive relationship with climatic moisture deficit. Our results suggest that these mammals may have greater climate adaptive capacity than expected, and, for now, that habitat use may be more related to optimal foraging conditions than to avoidance of warming temperatures and drought. We also determined that 12 of the 13 regionally present bat species were regularly detected in commercial timberland stands. Because forest bats are highly mobile, forage over long distances, and frequently change roosts, the stewardship of working forests must be addressed to protect these species.

Farmers’ perception of climate change and livelihood vulnerability: a comparative study of Bundelkhand and Central regions of Uttar Pradesh, India

Indian farmers are vulnerable to changing climate with unpredictable rainfall distribution, rising temperature, and complex socioeconomic conditions. The present study aims to assess livelihood vulnerability of farmers in two regions of the most populous State of Uttar Pradesh namely Bundelkhand and Central region. By using multistage random sampling technique, a total of 480 samples from 16 villages, 8 development blocks, 4 districts, and 2 regions were selected to elicit grass-root information on farmers’ perception of climate change, their sensitivity and adaptive capacity to changing climate, and determinants of livelihood vulnerability. Further, this study has adopted methodology mentioned in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s fourth Assessment Report for the development of climate vulnerability index. The results show that farmers in Jhansi district were highly vulnerable to changing climate, while farmers in Barabanki district were relatively less vulnerable. The elevated degree of vulnerability to livelihood in Jhansi district attributed to its comparatively higher exposure and sensitivity to climatic change. The Binary Logistic Regression results show that illiterate farmers are relatively more vulnerable than literate farmers. On the contrary, higher income, assured irrigation, the use of certified seeds, and crop insurance are negatively associated with the LVI. In other words, farmers who have income from non-farm sources, use certified and recommended seed varieties, and avail themselves of crop insurance are relatively less vulnerable to climate change than those who do not have the aforesaid facilities. Hence, the present study suggests that farmers, must adapt to climate change to reduce its negative impact and reap the benefits of adaptation which can be achieved through capacity building, skill development (i.e., use of ultra-modern techniques), and capacity to strengthen the farmers’ ability to adapt. Further, there is also a need to sensitize government officials on the dangers of climate change and to provide appropriate technical support to farmers for their adaptation.

Climate Change, Pressures, and Adaptation Capacities of Farmers: Empirical Evidence from Hungary

This paper aims to analyze comprehensively the climate exposure, sensitivity, perception, adaptive capacity, vulnerability, and resilience of the Hungarian agricultural sector, particularly focusing on fruit, vegetable, and grape producers. Four distinct Hungarian case studies were examined, representing different regions with diverse environmental and socioeconomic conditions. The research combined quantitative and qualitative methods, including statistical and GIS analysis of climate, agricultural, and socioeconomic data, as well as field research and semi-structured interviews. The study investigated exposure, sensitivity, perception, and adaptation, leading to the identification of key components and influencing factors. Qualitative research revealed that farms operating in geographically close proximity, in the same regulatory and support environment, can have different adaptive capacities. In the current state of the adaptation process, the extent to which farmers can rely on supportive professional networks and seek out and adopt new practices is crucial. Field experience suggests that without a strong and supportive producer organization (extension network), farmers may prefer to resort to extensification (afforestation) to mitigate production risks. From a development policy perspective, it is worthwhile to present good practices and provide information on possible adaptation techniques through existing local sectoral organizations.

Weather information, farm-level climate adaptation and farmers' adaptive capacity: Examining the role of information and communication technologies

Previous studies on farmers’ capacity to adapt to weather and climate variability tend to follow the resource endowment perspective and ignore the role of information. The paper examines farmers’ access to weather information as a resource and its relationship to the uptake of farm-level adaptation strategies while controlling other related variables. It also looks at information and communication technologies (ICTs) to provide information to farmers. Four dimensions of ICTs are considered – physical access to ICT devices, farmer’s ability to use ICTs, farmer’s intent to use ICTs for productive purposes, and farmer’s presence in the social ecosystem pertaining to use of ICTs. Structural equation modelling analysis of 463 farmers highlighted the potential of information in facilitating the uptake of farm-level adaptation strategies. The information-adaptation link becomes even stronger with the moderation effect of the farmer’s social ecosystem pertaining to use of ICTs. Farmers’ abilities to use ICTs are vital in improving their access to weather information. Farmers’ intent to use ICTs for productive purposes positively correlates with their stronger presence in the social ecosystem pertaining to use of ICTs. While wealth is an essential determinant of farmers’ access to other resources, it is not directly associated with the uptake of farm-level adaptation strategies. The paper highlights ways to enhance farmers’ adaptive capacity through non-economic means and facilitate farm-level adaptation.

Tracking climate change adaptation in Eastern Africa: integrating governmental and livestock keeper perspectives

ABSTRACT Adaptation tracking is crucial for understanding progress in responding to climate change impacts across space and time. However, adaptation tracking is constrained by the lack of agreement on how to measure adaptation. While there has been significant focus on government plans and other documented adaptation as the basis for adaptation tracking, emerging literature also advocates for inclusive approaches that consider multiple experiences and priorities when designing and using adaptation tracking indicators. However, little literature empirically investigates the specifics of what this integrated approach is or what it could achieve. We address this gap using a thematic analysis of 48 focus group discussions and of government policies to compare the perspectives of livestock keepers and governments in Eastern Africa on climate risks and adaptation in livestock systems. The results show considerable similarities in how they perceive climatic hazards, impacts, adaptation strategies, goals, and adaptive capacities, highlighting elements that could be recognized as relevant by both sets of stakeholders. However, the differences underscore the value of an integrated approach as it supports the recognition of variations in climate risks and adaptation options across contexts as well as capturing diverse effects of adaptation across scales. Insights from this paper contribute to discussions on developing integrated adaptation tracking frameworks that take into account the contextual nature of climate hazards, impacts, adaptation strategies, adaptive capacities, and adaptation goals. Key policy insights Governments and livestock keepers perceive climate hazards, impacts, adaptation strategies, adaptive capacity, and adaptation goals in largely similar ways. Differences in governmental and livestock keeper perspectives provide the basis for integrating them in the development of adaptation tracking indicators. Drawing on multiple experiences, priorities, and knowledges could support more effective tracking of adaptation progress by considering the various scales and contexts within which adaptation occurs. Integration requires an adaptation tracking framework that utilizes core indicators that have broader relevance and additional ones that address the context-specificity of climate hazards, impacts, adaptive capacities, adaptation strategies, and adaptation goals.

Knowledge coproduction on the impact of decisions for waterbird habitat in a changing climate.

Scientists, resource managers, and decision makers increasingly use knowledge coproduction to guide the stewardship of future landscapes under climate change. This process was applied in the California Central Valley (USA) to solve complex conservation problems, where managed wetlands and croplands are flooded between fall and spring to support some of the largest concentrations of shorebirds and waterfowl in the world. We coproduced scenario narratives, spatially explicit flooded waterbird habitat models, data products, and new knowledge about climate adaptation potential. We documented our coproduction process, and using the coproduced models, we determined when and where management actions make a difference and when climate overrides these actions. The outcomes of this process provide lessons learned on how to cocreate usable information and how to increase climate adaptive capacity in a highly managed landscape. Actions to restore wetlands and prioritize their water supply created habitat outcomes resilient to climate change impacts particularly in March, when habitat was most limited; land protection combined with management can increase the ecosystem's resilience to climate change; and uptake and use of this information was influenced by the roles of different stakeholders, rapidly changing water policies, discrepancies in decision-making time frames, and immediate crises of extreme drought. Although a broad stakeholder group contributed knowledge to scenario narratives and model development, to coproduce usable information, data products were tailored to a small set of decision contexts, leading to fewer stakeholder participants over time. A boundary organization convened stakeholders across a large landscape, and early adopters helped build legitimacy. Yet, broadscale use of climate adaptation knowledge depends on state and local policies, engagement with decision makers that have legislative and budgetary authority, and the capacity to fit data products to specific decision needs.

Climate change and food systems: Linking adaptive capacity and nutritional needs of low-income households in Ghana

Climate change is projected to adversely impact the health and wellbeing of households particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where social vulnerability is pervasive. While countries such as Ghana have intensified efforts to ensure effective and proactive adaptation to emerging climate impacts, it has also become apparent, in some instances, that levels of adaptive capacity within households and communities remain a critical determinant of the success of adaptation efforts. This is particularly the case in the poor and perennially vulnerable northern regions of Ghana where high incidence of stunting in children has highlighted the complex interlinkages that exists among climate change, food systems, household income levels, nutrition, and adaptive capacity. This is against the background that this is also the time that government and other development partners have intensified intervention actions to influence household adaptation to climate change and nutrition and health outcomes, particularly among children. Using the Karaga district of northern Ghana as a reference point, and employing the sustainable livelihoods framework, this study explores the link between household adaptive capacity to climate change and the nutritional needs of low-income households. The study finds a significant inverse relationship between household adaptive capacity and stunting in children under five years of age as an indicator of household nutritional needs. Additionally, the study also finds that agricultural practices like adopting new varieties, dry season farming, mulching, and intercropping could have positive influence on household nutrition if households have sufficient capacity to adopt such practices. The study, therefore, provides, critical insights into adaptive capacity measurement and its utility in the context of human systems. More importantly, the study also shows how carefully considered adaptation efforts can shape national policies on climate adaptation, adaptive capacity, nutrition, and health.

Climate Change Analysis in Rangit Basin of Sikkim Himalaya

Climate change (CC) is a topic of discussion not only among academicians but also among the general public. It is becoming more evident in increasing agricultural challenges, extreme events, and water scarcity. The changing climatic trends may threaten small farmers and traditional communities living in fragile ecosystems like the Himalayas. Although the scientific community is looking to understand the change better, at the same time, it is equally important to know how locals perceive the climate threat and adaptive capacity. This article intends to analyse and perceive CC in the Rangit Basin, Sikkim. A primary survey of 210 respondents was conducted across three altitudinal zones (low: up to 1,000 m, middle: 1,000–2,000 m, and high: above 2,000 m) to understand the local perception, associated agricultural challenges, and analysis of meteorological data. As primary tools, interviews, household surveys, and FGD were undertaken. The study concludes that these farmers perceive a change in climate, which varies across villages and altitudes. The temperature (0.0001) analysis shows an increasing trend, whereas precipitation also shows a slightly increasing trend (0.126), but a decline in the winter season. Local adaptive measures, indigenous knowledge, and practices could play a vital role in mitigating and adapting to change. Also, the policy interventions at various levels could help these farmers cope, mitigate, and adapt to climate vulnerabilities.

Inclusive diets within planetary boundaries

Inclusive diets within planetary boundaries