Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation Research Articles

Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation Strategies among Crop Farmers in Osun State, Nigeria

Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation Strategies among Crop Farmers in Osun State, Nigeria

From absences to emergences: Foregrounding traditional and Indigenous climate change adaptation knowledges and practices from Fiji, Vietnam and the Philippines

The differential impacts of climate change have highlighted the need to implement fit-for-purpose interventions that are reflective of the needs of vulnerable communities. However, adaptation projects tend to favour technocratic, market-driven, and Eurocentric approaches that inadvertently disregard the place-based and contextual adaptation strategies of many communities in the Global South. The paper aims to decolonise climate change adaptation guided by the critical tenets of ‘Decolonising Climate Adaptation Scholarship’ (DCAS). It presents empirical case studies from Fiji, Vietnam, and the Philippines and reveals the different ways that Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) and strategies are devalued and suppressed by modernist and developmentalist approaches to climate adaptation. The paper then foregrounds some of the adaptive techniques that resist and remain, or have been re-worked in hybrid ways with ILK. Ultimately, this paper combats the delegitimisation of ILK by mainstream climate change adaptation scholarship and highlights the need for awareness and openness to other forms of knowing and being.

Indigenous climate change adaptation: New directions for emerging scholarship

Although Indigenous peoples’ perspectives and concerns have not always been accommodated in climate change adaptation research and practice, a burgeoning literature is helping to reframe and decolonise climate adaptation in line with Indigenous peoples’ lived experiences. In this review, we bring together climate adaptation, decolonising and intersectional scholarship to chart the progress that has been made in better analysing and responding to climate change in Indigenous contexts. We identify a wealth of literature helping to decolonise climate adaptation scholarship and praxis by attending to colonial and neo-colonial injustices implicated in Indigenous peoples’ climate vulnerability, taking seriously Indigenous peoples’ relational ontologies, and promoting adaptation that draws on Indigenous capacities and aspirations for self-determination and cultural continuity. Despite calls to interrogate heterogenous experiences of climate change within Indigenous communities, the decolonising climate and adaptation scholarship has made limited advances in this area. We examine the small body of research that takes an intersectional approach to climate adaptation and explores how the multiple subjectivities and identities that Indigenous peoples occupy produce unique vulnerabilities, capacities and encounters with adaptation policy. We suggest the field might be expanded by drawing on related studies from Indigenous development, natural resource management, conservation, feminism, health and food sovereignty. Greater engagement with intersectionality works to drive innovation in decolonising climate adaptation scholarship and practice. It can mitigate the risk of maladaptation, avoid entrenchment of inequitable power dynamics, and ensures that even the most marginal groups within Indigenous communities benefit from adaptation policies and programmes.

Understandings, Practices and Human-Environment Relationships—A Meta-Ethnographic Analysis of Local and Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies in Selected Pacific Island States

Local and Indigenous knowledge systems worldwide indicate adaptation and mitigation strategies to climate change. Particularly in regions that are massively affected by climatic changes, such as the Pacific Island States, there is a need for increased and combined research on the role which these knowledge systems can play internationally. For this reason, this article provides a synthesis of empirical results and approaches to local and Indigenous climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in selected South Pacific Island States by using a meta-ethnographic approach. The reviewed literature is associated with the sub-disciplinary perspective of the Anthropology of Climate Change. The results of the meta-ethnographic analysis are discussed based on three thematic focal points: First, the empirical ground of local understandings of climate change and its theoretical conceptualization(s) are constituted. Second, the results of practices for adaptation to climate change are synthesized and presented in detail throughout one example. Third, the synthesis of climate change mitigation practices is outlined with a specific focus on human-environment relationships.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Climate Change Adaptation: A review

Climate change puts indigenous people at greater risk than others. Nevertheless, because of their intimate knowledge of their land, indigenous peoples' traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) could be the answer to fighting climate change. This paper aims to explain the role that TEK plays in responding to climate change. Document analysis included grey literature as well as peer-reviewed literature and project websites linked to indigenous climate change adaptation knowledge. The findings show that TEK not only helps indigenous people cope with environmental and climate pressures, but also promotes socio-ecological system resilience.
 Keywords: climate change adaptation; traditional knowledge; traditional ecological knowledge; resilience
 eISSN 2398-4295 ©2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers (AMER); Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians / Africans / Arabians (ABRA); Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies (cE-Bs), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ajbes.v5i19.194

Determinants of Adoption of Indigenous Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation among the Tharaka People in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

This study envisaged establishing the factors affecting adoption of indigenous climate change adaptation strategies in Kenya. The study would help in proper targeting of adaptation measures among Kenyas’ indigenous communities and avoid past trends where adopted measures have often failed. The study uses descriptive research design based on a three-stage multi-stage sampling design with data being collected from primary and secondary sources. Data analysis was done using the Spearman’s rank correlation analysis and various qualitative methods. The study found out that indigenous people have experienced a serious reduction in rainfall and changes in rainfall patterns. There has been an increase in temperature and the length of dry periods. Wind strengths and speeds have also increased. These have had various negative impacts on their livelihoods. The study established that perception of climate change has a significant positive relationship with adoption of indigenous adaptation strategies. Socioeconomic factors of age, local experience, income level, income diversity and land size were found to have a positive significant association while education and household dependency had a negative significant relationship with adoption. Household size and gender had no significant relationship. Institutional factors such as information access, market access, credit access, participation and membership to social networks were found to have a positive significant relationship with adoption of indigenous climate change adaptation strategies. Individualization of land tenure was also found to negatively affect adoption. Access to extension services had a significant negative relationship with adoption. The study recommends the need to orient climate change adaptation measures on the perceptions and strategies of indigenous people taking cognizance of their underlying factors. Prior assessments before undertaking adaptation actions are thus recommended.

Assessment of Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Its Impacts on Food Crop Yields in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria

This study investigated effects of indigenous climate change adaptation strategies on food crop yields in Osun State, southwestern Nigeria. It assessed changes in future climate (2031–2055) relative to the baseline period (1992–2016) and their impacts on the yields of 3 staple food crops (maize, rice and cassava). Robustness of the identified adaptation options adopted by local farmers was examined with a view to evaluating the opportunities of integrating indigenous adaptation options for climate-smart agriculture (CSA). A regional climate–crop modeling system (RegCM-DSSAT) and structured questionnaire were used for the study. A warmer and wetter future climate was projected with higher frequency of occurrence of false start of rainfall. Results also suggested future rise in the yield of cassava (8.2%) but declines in maize (− 9.2%) and rice (− 3.6%). Use of organic fertilizer, irrigation or fadama farming system and change in planting dates were ranked highly efficient indigenous adaptation strategies for improved crop yields. Model simulations projected 3.9% increase in cassava yield when irrigation farming system was adopted. This approach was found to offset the negative impact of future warming on the yields of maize and rice and increased their yields by 6.53% and 1.31%, respectively. Combined use of fertilizer and change in planting date was found to significantly enhance yields of maize (27.53%) and rice (21.49%). The paper concludes that integrated approach to indigenous climate change adaptation strategies, as required in CSA, could significantly reduce negative effects of future warming on food crop yields.

Indigenous climate change adaptation strategies used by Honey Producers in rural communities of Enugu State, Nigeria

The study examined the effectiveness and challenges in the use of indigenous climate change adaptation measures by bee farmers in Enugu State. Sixty households’ heads involved in honey production were used. Structured interview schedule, focus group discussion and observation were used for data collection and the analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics. Production of honey across the years (2000 to 2015) showed a downward trend, while the number of hives installed increased significantly. The respondents effectively adapted to climate change through change of sites of hives ( = 4.00), tree planting ( = 3.33), amendment of the periods of beekeeping operations ( = 3.00) among others. However, they experienced challenges caused by indiscriminate cutting of trees ( =3.42), inadequate information on adaptation measures ( = 3.30), pesticide threat ( =3.07) among others. Extension workers should intensify tailored training and visit to beekeepers to update producers’ knowledge on bee farming (modern techniques), climate change implications of some farm practices (indiscriminate cutting of tree) and provide information on innovative adaptation options. Educational outreach on climate change to rural communities to stimulate community involvement in promoting environmentally sound practices should be advocated and funded by development agencies. Also, linking farmers to relevant actors, equipment dealers, financial institution; and enacting policy that will create and foster collaborative interaction for effective adaptation to climate change should be championed by public and non -governmental organizations. Key words : Climate change, honey, producers, adaptation, bee, hives

Determining factors for the application of climate change adaptation strategies among farmers in Magwe District, dry zone region of Myanmar

PurposeClimate change negatively affects agricultural crop production in the dry zone region of Myanmar. This paper aims to examine climate change adaptation strategies of farmers in the dry zone region. Farmers’ choice for adaptation strategies is influenced by many factors such as the practical availability and by socioeconomic conditions of the farmers. They are moreover influenced by the perception about climate change and by the specific problems prevailing in the farming systems.Design/methodology/approachThis research is carried out in Magwe district in the dry zone region of Myanmar using a random selection of 212 farmers from three Townships (Magwe, Yenanchaung and Chauk). A multinomial logistic regression (MLR) was applied to assess the factors affecting the choice by farmers for adaptation strategies.FindingsThe study found that in the past, farmers used to apply locally available indigenous climate change adaptation strategies. However, recently, most farmers seem to have shifted to introduced adaptation strategies. The most popular adaptation strategy is to adjust the planting dates and sowing method (56.1 per cent). Furthermore, farmers identified a number of barriers that limit the adoption of adaptation methods. Risk is found to be an important driver of crop diversification. Finally, the MLR model showed that information from radio, access to seeds and extension services affect the choice of adaptation strategies.Originality/valueThe study shows that adoption of locally available indigenous climate change adaptation methods is gradually decreasing, and there is a shift to introduced adaptation strategies. The study can assist public and private organizations to obtain insight in the determinants of climate change adaptation in the dry zone region of Myanmar.

INDIGENOUS CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AS PRACTICED BY FARM HOUSEHOLDS IN UDI LGA OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

The study is on the indigenous climate change adaptation practices among farm households in Udi Local Government Area; Enugu State. 60 respondents were randomly selected for the study. Primary data were collected using a set of well-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, likert scale and inferential statistics. Result of the study showed that majority of the respondents (65%) was males and majority (51.7%) from household size of between 5 to 10 persons. About 55% of the respondents had at least Secondary school education and 93.3% engaged in farming as major occupation. 81.7% of the respondents have been in farming for more than five years (81.7%). The respondents·awareness on climate change includes impact of high temperature (76.6%), drying up of rivers/streams (63.3%), increased. Pest infestation (63.3%), increased disease infestation (51.7%) and poor quality of stored crops (58.3%). Indigenous negative adaptation practices practiced by the farmers were increased use of chemical fertilizers (63.3%), increased use of pesticides and insecticides (61.7%), cutting down of trees (66.7%), bush burning (71.7%). Continuous grazing (53.3%) while positive practices identified were rain water harvesting (60%), multiple or inter-cropping (65%), tree planting on farm lands (65%) and on-farm construction of ridges and gullies (60%). However, the constraints identified in adoption of these practices were poor access to credit (86.7%), lack of efficient input (83.3%), lack of awareness (78.3%), and lack 9f land (57.7%). The study therefore recommends sensitization on indigenous adaptation practices to distinguish between positive and negative approaches of adaptation; there is need for integration of fertilizer trees such as Faidherbia albida on farm lands for nutrient supply, erosion control and domestic use; more access to credit facilities; improved awareness creation by the relevant officers on all the impacts, and the needed adaptation practices to help curb the menace of climate change on agricultural lands and its effects on farmers' livelihoods.