Household Adaptation Research Articles

Can remittances contribute to financing climate actions in developing countries? Evidence from analyses of households' climate hazard exposure and adaptation actors in SE Nigeria.

Migrant remittances are potentially significant sources of funding for climate change adaptation and resilience building in developing countries. However, very little is understood about the linkages between climate actions and remittances at the household level. It is not clear how remittances can affect households’ responses to climate change. This paper presents evidence from analyses of the associations between remittances to households, their climate hazard exposure, and adaptation actors. It uses concurrent data on international remittances receipts, three climate change related hazards (flooding, intense and irregular rainfall), and main adaptation actors (self/family, community, government, and NGOs) from over 600 households in South Eastern Nigeria. The results showed that household incidence of remittances is low (15%) while exposure to climate hazards is higher (flooding: 41.2%, intense rainfall: 47.1%, irregular rainfall: 29.9%). Nominal (contingency coefficient) associations between remittances and household climate hazard exposure and remittances and household adaptation actors were mostly moderate and insignificant. Therefore, households that received remittances and those that did not were not significantly different in terms of their exposure to climate hazard and main actors in climate adaptation. Self/families were the main actors in household climate actions. Governments and NGO actors were less prominent. The results suggest that unregulated remittances have limited impact on household climate hazard exposure and adaptive actions. However, there are indications that the contribution of remittances to financing climate adaptation may be enhanced by addressing issues with cost of remitting and remittee understanding of climate change to increase remittances volumes, incidence, and use.

Heat vulnerability and adaptation of low-income households in Germany

Heat waves associated with global warming are a significant hazard to human health, and they particularly endanger low-income households. In this study, we systematically analyze how the different components of heat vulnerability are related to household income, and present empirical evidence on the determinants of heat adaptation, focusing on the role of income. We contribute the first empirical analysis of heat vulnerability using household-level data at the national level, based on a longitudinal survey, including data points for 10,226 households in Germany in the period 2012–2020. Our results indicate that low income households are significantly more heat sensitive and have lower adaptive capacity than high income households, measured inter alia by health status, household composition, and economic and psychological resources to implement adaptation measures. However, heat hazard and exposure levels are comparable between income groups, hence there is no sorting of richer households into less hazardous or exposed locations on a national scale. We also contribute robust empirical evidence on the factors influencing household decisions to implement technical adaptation measures (e.g. installation of air conditioning), ultimately showing that the adaptation behavior of the most vulnerable households (e.g. people with poor health conditions or the elderly) is not limited by financial constraints.

Contextualizing cross national patterns in household climate change adaptation.

Understanding social and behavioral drivers and constraints of household adaptation is essential to effectively address increasing climate-induced risks. Factors shaping household adaptation are commonly treated as universal; despite an emerging understanding that adaptations are shaped by social, institutional, and cultural contexts. Using original surveys in the United States, China, Indonesia, and the Netherlands (N=3,789) - we explore variations in factors shaping households’ adaptations to flooding, the costliest hazard worldwide. We find that social influence, worry, climate change beliefs, self-efficacy, and perceived costs exhibit universal effects on household adaptations, despite countries’ differences. Disparities occur in the effects of response efficacy, flood experience, beliefs in governmental actions, demographics, and media, which we attribute to specific cultural or institutional characteristics. Climate adaptation policies can leverage on the revealed similarities when extrapolating best practices across countries, yet should exercise caution as context-specific socio-behavioral drivers may discourage or even reverse household adaptation motivation.

Exploring residential characteristics as determinants of household adaptation to climate change in Lagos, Nigeria

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing residents’ adaptation strategies to climate change effects in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe metropolis was stratified into low, medium and high residential densities. Across the residential densities, questionnaires were administered on 384 residents. The questionnaire addressed issues on resident’s socio-economic and demographic attributes, awareness of climate change and factors influencing residents’ adaptation to climate change. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.FindingsResult indicated that the adaptation strategies adopted by residents in the different residential areas were similar but varied in magnitude as denoted by the resident response index RRI (RRIh = 3.32, RRIm = 3.39 and RRIl = 3.41). The multiple regression analysis computed indicated the residential characteristics such as education, average monthly income, age, house type and house ownership (p < 0.05) were significant factors influencing resident’s level of climate change adaptation strategies adopted.Research limitations/implicationsThe study could be strengthened by looking at specific climate change effects such as floods or drought in major cities of Nigeria. Hence, the view presented in this paper may not be considered generalizable to the impacts of climate change in the study area.Originality/valueIn recent years, research studies on human adaptation and coping strategies to climate change have generated considerable development interest. This study contributed to this growing area of research by examining the factors influencing residents’ adaptation strategies to climate change in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria.

Urban farming and food security: household’s adaptive strategy to COVID-19 crises

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns regarding the importance of food security and the agricultural sector. Experiencing positive growth in the Gross Domestic Product during pandemic, the agricultural sector is considered to be the most resilient sector. This study examines changes in the household pattern of food consumption and their current position on food security. It also analyses household adaptation to current health crises. We conduct an online survey from September to October 2020. The coverage areas of this survey are concentrated in Java Island and captured 1,499 households. We calculate the food security index to measure the behavioral changes of household on their food consumption pattern. The index indicates that the majority of households are food secure. However, households with food insecurity generally have multidimensional vulnerabilities on the effects of this pandemic. Our survey has indicated several activities of household resilience to cope with the increase of food prices during pandemic. Urban farming is one of the solutions to access food, and their concerns on food safety, food prices and stimulate the local economy are utmost reasons. People utilized their yards by cultivating short-lived vegetables in small pots or hydroponic method. Given these reasons, the yields of their products do not go to the commercial market, although the potential to enter this market is possible. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that the government can respond to the changes that occur in society as a time to support agricultural sustainability, particularly in expanding urban farming.

Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation of Households in U-Tapao River Sub-Basin, Thailand

Flood, storm, and drought have frequently impacted households in the U-Tapao River Sub-basin, Songkhla Province, Thailand, as a result of climate change. Studying how to assist them in better adapting to the effects of climate change is a critical mission that researchers should strive to achieve. The goals of this study are to (1) investigate the effects of climate change on households in the U-Tapao River Sub-basin, (2) examine the adaptation strategies they used, (3) the challenges they faced when attempting to adapt, and (4) provide recommendations for future adaptation. The study was carried out in the jurisdictions of three local government authorities. A survey questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 300 households, which was then analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. To supplement survey data, qualitative data were collected from 50 key informants via in-depth interviews and focus-group discussions. Climate change impacted households in four ways, according to the findings: health, housing, agriculture, and livelihood activities. Although households can take general measures to mitigate the effects of climate change on their health and livelihood, they do not appear to be able to take preventive measures to minimize flooding impacts on their house and property, nor do they appear to be able to adopt on-farm adaptation strategies to prevent income loss. The main impediment to taking more effective measures is a lack of funds, knowledge, and technical assistance. As a result, practical recommendations are provided at the end of this paper to help overcome such challenges and encourage households to adopt more adaptation strategies.

Why Does Tobacco Agriculture in Thailand Persist?

The rigorous tobacco controls advocated by both international policy players and national government are foreseen to lowering demand in tobacco consumption, and consequently, the contraction of tobacco agriculture. This paper seeks to reveal why tobacco agriculture, albeit with the declining trend of tobacco farms, continues to persist. Theoretical guiding the investigation is based on the institutional arrangement of contract farming system, the idea that derived from New Institution Economics, and farmers’ striving to attain livelihoods. The study adopts qualitative methods, utilising purposive sampling, with 53 tobacco farmers recruited from four provinces, namely Phrae, Phetchabun, Roi-et and Nongkhai, who took part in four focus group discussions. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with two provincial agricultural promotion officers, three provincial excise officers and four staff members of the local office of the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly. The data was analysed using content analysis. This paper found that supportive institutional arrangements, the adaptation of communities and households creating a favourable environment and the emergence of new markets for roll-your-own cigarettes are contributing to the persistence of tobacco agriculture. In light of tobacco control, two policy measures are proposed. First, the regulations for roll-your-own cigarette industries – both smallholders and manufacturers – must be revised and instituted. Second, to encourage tobacco farmers to move away from tobacco growing, institutional support for alternative crops, such as price guarantees, inputs and technical support should be provided in the same manner that the tobacco growers currently receive.

Perception and adaptation of agricultural households to climate change in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan – a gender perspective study

PurposeThe study aims to analyze the gender-wise perception of the agricultural households toward climate change and the adaption measures taken by these households, especially women, to mitigate climate changes.Design/methodology/approachPurposive random sampling technique is used to collect primary data from a pilot survey conducted in two semi-arid districts of Rajasthan, India. Data mainly focused on analyzing the gender-based perception and adaptation strategies undertaken toward climate change. And descriptive statistics are used for analysis.FindingsThe study found that both the gender are aware of the climatic changes. Deforestation increased population, change in living standards, urbanization and industrialization contribute to climate changes. The women are employing limited adaptation strategies to mitigate the climatic stress compared to males.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a pilot study; hence, it has an insufficient sample size for the detailed statistical analysis. Further, it is only limited to two semi-arid districts of Rajasthan.Originality/valueThis pioneering study highlights gender-wise differences in perception and adaptation strategies undertaken in this region. The study suggests raising awareness about climate change and providing credit facilities for undertaking adaptation measures to reduce agricultural households' vulnerability, particularly enhancing women's adaptive capacity to climate change.

Flood affectedness and household adaptation measures in rural northern Chile: A cross-sectional study in the Upper Huasco Valley

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme events. Adaptation strategies at societal and household level are crucial to reduce vulnerability. We assessed to what extent personal flood affectedness, in particular health impacts, influence adaptive behavior. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in northern Chile one year after a major flood event and assessed several dimensions of flood affectedness and adaptive behavior at the household level. After the event, a wide range of adaptation measures, including water storage and preparation of emergency kits, had been implemented by 80% of the population.

Land subsidence in Jakarta and Semarang Bay – The relationship between physical processes, risk perception, and household adaptation

Sea level rise (SLR) is among the most pressing challenges for urban coastal areas. While geocentric (eustatic) SLR receives widespread attention in politics and media, relative SLR at the coast, mainly caused by land subsidence, is still comparatively under-researched despite much higher rates. This paper introduces a combined natural and social science study to bring subsidence more to the forefront of coastal hazard research. We use data from radar altimetry, GNSS controlled tide gauge stations, and InSAR mapping to characterize regional and relative SLR at Jakarta and Semarang Bay, and focus-group discussions and a standardized household survey to analyze risk perceptions and adaptation.Our analysis of InSAR, radar altimetry, and corrected tide gauges clearly identifies subsidence as the major coastal threat in our study areas. The InSAR analysis for Semarang shows stable trends of subsidence up to ~100 mm/a. For Jakarta, our analysis reveals more complex spatial and temporal patterns with rates around 60 mm/a; revealing significant changes to previous studies. Our analysis of radar altimetry data since 1993 shows a moderate regional SLR of 2.1 mm/a off Semarang and 3.2 mm/a off Jakarta.The InSAR data are integrated into our statistical analysis of household responses towards subsidence. We found, that in contrast to fast-onset events, constantly proceeding subsidence becomes normalized in peoples’ perceptions and responses are integrated into day-to-day habits. Thus, risk perception is a far lesser determinant of responses towards subsidence than it is for fast-onset events. Hence, our results relativize former assumptions that risk perception and not actual exposure lead to action. Moreover, we found that local people are not willing to vacate highly exposed areas. Their views need to be included in municipal disaster risk reduction, the urgency of which clearly lies on mitigating subsidence effects rather than on building protection against regionally rising sea levels.

Do better agricultural extension and climate information sources enhance adaptive capacity? A micro-level assessment of farm households in rural India

Purpose The farmers used several information sources to gather information about the climatic variability and modern agricultural practices to cope with climate change. The choice of adaptation strategies and the successful implication of adaptation strategies depend on accurate, timely information on the climate variability and precise technical details of adaptation strategies. By keeping the importance of climate information and agricultural extension information in the center, this study aims to conduct a micro-level evaluation of farmers’ choice of climate information, agriculture extension services and agricultural credit sources. This study’s primary objective is to understand how the different sources of climate information and agricultural extension influence farm household adaptation decisions. Design/methodology/approach This study has been conducted in three subs agro-climatic zone of the Middle Gangetic Plain region, which falls in India’s Bihar state. This paper has randomly selected seven districts from these three subs agro-climatic zone to collect the data. The analysis of this study is based on survey data collected from 700 farm households. This study has used descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model to assess the sources of climate information, agricultural extension and credit sources and how these sources influence farm households’ adaptation decisions. Findings The result of this study shows farmers are using different traditional (sharing experience, newspaper and radio), information and communication technology (mobile and TV) and institutional arrangements (agricultural officer and meteorological department) in the study area. The study’s finding identifies different farm households’ different sources and how these options farming farmers’ adaptation decisions. The study further revealed that institutional factors such as extension services and access to information on climate change increase the probability of adopting knowledge-intensive adaptation strategies such as soil conservation, water conservation, crop insurance and planting horticulture and vegetables. Research limitations/implications The study has conducted a micro-level assessment of adaptation behavior at the local level to understand the factor influencing the adaptation decision. This study’s finding is useful in designing the appropriate policy framework for the farm household’s capacity building to enhance their technical skills and awareness toward the institutional arrangements. Originality/value This paper’s finding pointed out institutional arrangements’ requirement to improve adaptive capacity to make long-term strategic decisions to cope with climate change.

Livelihood Adaptation of Rural Households under Livelihood Stress: Evidence from Sichuan Province, China

The welfare of many poor and low-income rural households is vulnerable to earthquakes and secondary geological disasters. The academic literature, however, pays little attention to the livelihood pressure, adaptability, and livelihood strategies of these households. Based on the survey data of 327 rural households in the Wenchuan and Lushan earthquake-stricken areas in the Sichuan Province, the livelihood pressure, adaptability, and livelihood strategy characteristics of rural households were analyzed, and the disordered multi-classification logistic regression model was constructed to explore the correlation between the above-mentioned variables. The results show that: (1) Rural households face the greatest economic pressure and the least social pressure; rural households have the strongest adaptability in social capital and the lowest adaptability in financial capital. The proportion of rural households that chose the aid livelihood strategy was the highest, while the proportion of rural households that chose the adjustment livelihood strategy was the lowest. (2) Compared with the expanded livelihood strategy, (a) When the health pressure is higher, the rural households are more inclined to choose the expanded livelihood strategy, followed by the contractive livelihood strategy and, finally, the aid livelihood strategies; (b), the higher the physical capital, the more often the rural households tend to choose the expanded livelihood strategy compared to the adjustment livelihood strategy; (c), The higher the financial capital of farm households, the more they prefer contractive livelihood strategies compared to the expanded livelihood strategy and (d), compared with the aid livelihood strategy, rural households with greater economic pressure are more inclined to choose the expanded livelihood strategy.This study can provide a reference for the establishment of relevant policies related to the adaptation capacity of rural households in the earthquake hazard zone.

Urban resilience in the aftermath of tropical storm Washi in the Philippines: The role of autonomous household responses

Existing knowledge regarding the role of household adaptation in pursuing urban resilience, especially in developing countries, is limited. Upon this rationale, the study provides in-depth empirical evidence on how resilience is framed, pursued, and realized from the perspective of low-income households in the Philippines. The study adopted a mixed-methods strategy to expound on the dynamics that affect resilience-building measures at the household level. The quantitative tools were chosen to provide empirical evidence on how residents in selected areas understand resilience and the actions undertaken to realize desired outcomes. The findings were further examined through analysis of data gathered from key informant interviews, relevant local policies, and regulations. Key findings show that autonomous household responses are intended, albeit intuitively, as resilience-building measures from the need to address risks immediately. These measures are undertaken independently and can provide direct benefits to the household. However, they may become counterproductive when analyzed from the point of view of collective resilience. The key to addressing this is institutional interventions that allow flexible modes of resilience that could enable households to pursue better resilience-building measures. Autonomous household responses, transitioning to a more collective level approach, challenge the distribution of decision-making processes and could result in framing appropriate urban resilience policies, strategies, and measures.

The roles of community resilience and risk appraisal in climate change adaptation: the experience of the Kannagi Nagar resettlement in Chennai

This study sheds light on the effects of community resilience and risk appraisal on climate change adaptation behaviour within the context of the resettlement site of Kannagi Nagar in Chennai, India. The residents of Kannagi Nagar, built on flood-prone marshlands, are exposed to the risks of flooding and water scarcity. Data were collected at the household level through a questionnaire and interviews to investigate activities contributing to community resilience, their interrelatedness, and the influence of community resilience and risk appraisal on household adaptation behaviour. Findings show that community resilience – assessed using the five core dimensions of trust, place attachment, collective efficacy, social networks and social support – significantly and positively influences adaptation actions. This implies that only when the inhabitants of Kannagi Nagar are supported by their social networks and have confidence in their community’s capabilities, can greater risk awareness increase the number of adaptation measures taken.

Can labour migration help households adapt to climate change? Evidence from four river basins in South Asia

ABSTRACT The study focuses on four river basins, Gandaki, Indus, Upper Ganga and Teesta, in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region in South Asia. The region is considered one of the more environmentally vulnerable areas in the world due to recurrent natural hazards that can be exacerbated by future climate change. The dependence of the population on natural resources based livelihoods makes the region particularly vulnerable to adverse climate change impacts. Labour migration can help household adaptation, particularly when it incurs significant cash investment. The paper analyses the determinants of household adaptation, including migration, in three sectors, namely, agriculture, livestock, and water. It shows that household adaptation to the negative effects of climate change was very poor in the region, with less than a third of the households undertaking adaptation measures. While labour migration showed a positive influence on household adaptation, it was statistically significant only in agriculture. Nevertheless, migration influenced household adaptation indirectly through livelihood diversification, access to services provide of external stakeholders, and changes in household composition. The study identified location, access to climate information, and services provided by external stakeholders as important factors in household adaptation to climate change.

Determinants of farmers\u2019 adaptation decisions to climate change in the central coastal region of Vietnam

This study examined measures and factors influencing the climate change adaptation decisions of smallholder farmers holding less than 0.5 hectares of farmland. The binary logit model was applied to analyze data collected by face-to-face interviews with 110 households in Phu Vang Coastal District, Thua Thien Hue Province, Central Vietnam. The findings indicate that most farmers accurately perceived climate-related changes during the recent decade, and implemented various adaptation measures in an effort to alleviate the potential risks. Adaptations included changing crop varieties, adjusting farming calendar, diversifying crops, diversifying livestock, improving irrigation, and intensifying soil quality. In addition, the farming household adaptation decisions were positively affected by gender, education level, number of laborers, income level, involvement in local community organizations, and perception of climate change severity and adaptation measure efficacy. Farmer adaptations, in contrast, were negatively influenced by non-farm income and entirely unaffected by access to credit. Policy-related recommendations were proposed to encourage smallholder farmers to adapt to climate change in the region. Recommendations included (1) improvements in the understanding of climate change, especially for female and less educated farmers; (2) more attention paid to the activities of local community organizations to be more attractive for members; (3) participation in the non-agricultural sector in parallel with implementing climate change adaptation measures in agriculture; (4) preferential loans designed as targets for low-income households combined with strict management to avoid misuse by beneficiaries.

АДАПТАЦИЯ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ В КРИТИЧЕСКИ ИЗМЕНЯЮЩИХСЯ УСЛОВИЯХ ФУНКЦИОНИРОВАНИЯ ФИНАНСОВОГО РЫНКА

The article is devoted to the study of methodological approaches of adapting households to high volatility, dynamic shifts, changes in parameters and predictors of the financial market occurring in the context of financial and economic crises. A wide range of modern theoretical and methodological approaches to determining and changing the role of financial markets, financial organizations and households, their influence on the structure and dynamics of the development of national and world economies were analyzed. A study has been carried out on the adaptation of households as an economic category. The application of the main criteria for selecting and forming a methodology for assessing the level of adaptation of households to the conditions of the financial market was analyzed: the ability and ability of consumers to consciously acquire financial services, including the level of financial literacy of the population, the quality and accessibility of financial services, consumer confidence in financial institutions, the level of government regulation of the financial market, the vulnerability of households to financial and economic crises and price shocks. To effectively target and implement adaptation processes in the context of dynamic changes, a model for assessing the level of adaptation of households has been proposed. As a result of the implementation of the developed model, it is possible to create a new and improve the existing mechanism for adapting households to the changes taking place and conscious consumption of financial services by households. The work focuses on the need for households to develop appropriate skills and perceptions of trends and patterns in the development of the financial market and economy. Methods and models for quantifying the adaptation of households, the level of economic adaptation of households to changing financial market conditions are presented in the form of a function including selected criteria and levels.

SOCIAL AND HOUSEHOLD ADAPTATION OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY AT HOME (from the experience of gbou moscow city rehabilitation center)

SOCIAL AND HOUSEHOLD ADAPTATION OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY AT HOME (from the experience of gbou moscow city rehabilitation center)

Inequality in household adaptation to schooling shocks: Covid-induced online learning engagement in real time

We use high frequency internet search data to study in real time how US households sought out online learning resources as schools closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. By April 2020, nationwide search intensity for both school- and parent-centered online learning resources had roughly doubled relative to pre-Covid levels. Areas of the country with higher income, better internet access and fewer rural schools saw substantially larger increases in search intensity. The pandemic will likely widen achievement gaps along these dimensions given schools’ and parents’ differing engagement with online resources to compensate for lost school-based learning time. Accounting for such differences and promoting more equitable access to online learning could improve the effectiveness of education policy responses to the pandemic. The public availability of internet search data allows our analyses to be updated when schools reopen and to be replicated in other countries.

Adaptation, spatial effects, and targeting: Evidence from Africa and Asia

• The ability of farmers to adapt to changing environments is an important determinant of welfare. • Neighbors may enhance adaptive capacity through spatial spillover adaptation effects. • Spatial interactions amplify the marginal effects of adaptive capacity elements by 50 percent. • Targeting the adaptation of few but central households is enough to generate spatial spillovers. The ability of farmers to adapt to changing rural environments in developing countries is an important determinant of welfare. But the adaptive capacity of farmers may be constrained because economic resources, information, and institutions are often weak or missing. Farmers living close to one another face similar environmental and economic conditions, but may have different levels of adaptive capacity. These spatially connected farmers (or neighbors) can potentially ease economic constraints and facilitate adaptation by acting as conduits of information and resources. This paper estimates spatial effects on adaptation: how neighbors’ adaptations influence farmers’ adaptation decisions. Our data contains information from more than two thousand households located across 12 countries in Africa and Asia. We find that neighbors significantly influence adaptation decisions, and that spatial interactions amplify the marginal effects of adaptive capacity elements by 50 percent. We also propose a targeting approach that decomposes the total spatial effect into effects coming from different subsets of households that are selected according to their spatial centrality. We find that targeting the two households with highest eigenvector centrality in each village is enough to generate a statistically significant spatial multiplier effect.