Effective Climate Change Mitigation Research Articles

Phenological Study of 53 Spanish Minority Grape Varieties to Search for Adaptation of Vitiviniculture to Climate Change Conditions

The main phenological stages (budburst, flowering, veraison, and ripeness) of 53 Spanish minority varieties were studied to determine their potential to help winegrowers adapt to climate change conditions. In total, 43 varieties were studied in the same location in Spain (Alcalá de Henares, in the Madrid region) and 10 varieties in 5 other regions (Galicia, Navarre, Catalonia, Extremadura, and Andalusia). Other traits of agronomic and oenological interest, such as yield and acidity, were also monitored. The results allow for the grouping of the varieties into several clusters according to the time of ripeness (very early—only for red varieties—and early, intermediate, and late, for both red and white varieties) and yield (high, medium, and low). The total acidity in the grape juice ranged from 3 to 11 g of tartaric acid/L. The average temperatures were higher (up to 3–4 °C during summer) compared to historical averages during the 1957–2021 time period. Advanced phenology phases and reduced acidity are regarded as negative effects of climate change for winegrowing practices. Since some minority varieties showed late or intermediate ripening, high acidity, and high (1 Kg/shoot) or medium (0.5 Kg/shoot) yield, our findings suggest that they may be cultivated in the coming years by winegrowers as an approach to mitigate climate change effects.

Tree species matter for forest microclimate regulation during the drought year 2018: disentangling environmental drivers and biotic drivers

Tree canopies are considered to effectively buffer climate extremes and to mitigate climate change effects. Droughts, which are predicted to become more frequent in the course of climate change, might alter the microclimatic cooling potential of trees. However, our understanding of how microclimate at the tree canopy level is modulated by environmental and tree characteristics and their interactions is still limited. Here, we investigated canopy temperature regulation for five mature co-occurring tree species for two contrasting hydrological situations during the severe drought in 2018. Even though we observed a significant drought-induced decline in canopy cover and transpiration across tree species, we found evidence that differences in the water use strategies of trees affected cooling mechanisms differently. Although a large share of the variations in the cooling potential of trees was explained by direct and indirect effects of meteorological factors, we identified a gradual shift in importance from latent heat flux to components defining the magnitude of sensible heat flux on the energy budget of tree as the drought gained severity. The decrease in latent heat fluxes, approximated by sap flow rates, furthermore resulted in a reduced cooling potential and an equalization of tree species canopy temperatures.

Natural forest regeneration on anthropized landscapes could overcome climate change effects on the endangered maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus, Illiger 1811)

Abstract Climate change and habitat loss have been identified as the main causes of species extinction. Forest regeneration and protected areas are essential to buffer climate change impacts and to ensure quality habitats for threatened species. We assessed the current and future environmental suitability for the maned sloth, Bradypus torquatus, under both future climate and forest restoration scenarios, using ecological niche modeling. We compared environmental suitability for two Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUnorth and ESUsouth) using two climate change scenarios for 2070, and three potential forest regeneration scenarios. Likewise, we evaluated the protection degree of the suitable areas resulting from the models, according to Brazilian law: PA—Protected Areas; PPA—Permanent Protection Areas (environmentally sensitive areas in private properties); and LR—Legal Reserves (natural vegetation areas in private properties). Finally, we calculated the deficit of PPA and LR in each ESU, considering the current forest cover. Forest regeneration might mitigate the deleterious effects of climate change by maintaining and increasing environmental suitability in future scenarios. The ESUnorth contains more suitable areas (21,570 km²) than the ESUsouth (12,386 km²), with an increase in all future scenarios (up to 45,648 km² of new suitable areas), while ESUsouth might have a significant decrease (up to 7,546 km² less). Suitable areas are mostly unprotected (ESUnorth—65.5% and ESUsouth—58.3%). Therefore, PPA and PA can maintain only a small portion of current and future suitable areas. Both ESUs present a high deficit of PPA and LR, highlighting the necessity to act in the recovery of these areas to accomplish a large-scale restoration, mitigate climate change effects, and achieve, at least, a minimum forested area to safeguard the species. Notwithstanding, a long-term conservation of B. torquatus will benefit from forest regeneration besides those minimum requirements, allied to the protection of forest areas.

Conservation Agriculture: Analysis and prioritization of socio-ecological factors operating at farm levels in Ohio, USA

Conservation Agriculture (CA) has got the huge potential to address the issue of global food security with ecological resilience and replenishment. The present study was conducted across 40 counties of the state of Ohio in the United States of America to assess and prioritize the social-ecological factors operating at CA farms, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. It has been elucidated from the study that selected owner-farmers of the study area (n = 230) have no hesitation to consider CA as the future of farming to address food security in response to mitigate climate change effects. They have been applying the combination of the CA principles on their farms: 60% of the respondents do not till their field, 80% leave crop residues on the soil surface, and 97% follow crop rotations. Finally, the CA farmers have achieved 10 to > 40% fuel savings during farm operations, having farm soil salinity reduced in the case of 70% of respondents. Apart from this, grazing animals are also integrated to CA systems, adding animal manure to their farms. However, the study indicates that there is a need to encourage the use of CA, which can minimize the negative impacts of dry spells in order to maximize crop production, and polish the strategies and policies in each and every sphere.

Pathways of Transition to Organic Agriculture in Morocco

Agriculture is a vital sector in Morocco through its contribution to the gross domestic product (13%) and workforce (30%). However, the sector faces important sustainability challenges due to Morocco’s dependence on rain-fed crops for 90% of the production and its vulnerability to climate change. In this context, organic agriculture presents itself as a promising alternative to valorize production and mitigate climate change effects. This article describes the dynamics and development of the organic agriculture niche in Morocco through the lens of the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) on socio-technical transitions. The MLP is a widely used framework that bases its analysis on transitions being the result of the interaction of niches, socio-technical regimes, and socio-technical landscape. Results of the literature review and semi-structured interviews show that, although the organic niche is relatively well established (11,000 ha of organic land area in 2019), it is still developing at a slower rate than expected due to multiple setbacks. While organic farming does solve many sustainability challenges that Moroccan agriculture faces, it still lacks the infrastructure and human capital to succeed as a niche. All in all, organic farming is still in the first transition stages and can follow a multitude of pathways before becoming relevant in the current agri-food system.

Sectoral value chains and environmental pollution in Africa: can development policies target digitalization and structural transformation to enhance environmental governance?

ABSTRACT Enhancing the environmental governance in developing countries is now part of development plans in mitigating climate change effects on economies. This study analyses the effect of the sectoral value chains participation on environmental pollution and assesses whether digitalization and structural transformation can be used as key instruments in improving environmental quality in Africa. We use second-generation panel data for 40 African countries from 1990 to 2019. The results show that deepening the agriculture, industry and services sectors’ value chains participation increases the environmental pollution in Africa. We find that the U-inverted hypothesis between value chain participation and environmental pollution is verified in all considered sectors. This result implies that the environmental governance in Africa should consider the specificity of each sector of the economy. Moreover, digitalization and structural transformation enhance the environmental quality in sectoral value chain participation in Africa since they significantly reduce CO2 emissions. Fossil fuel energy consumption is a driver of CO2 emissions, while renewable energy consumption reduces environmental pollution in Africa. These findings have important policy implications in terms of the environmental governance in sectoral value chain participation for climate change mitigation in developing countries, including Africa.

The Role of Agroforestry in Ecosystem Maintenance and Climate Change Regulation: A Review

Agro forestry systems are believed to provide several ecosystem services; however, until recently evidence in the agro forestry literature supporting these perceived benefits has been lacking. This paper aimed to provide empirical information on the role of agro forestry in ecosystem maintenance and climate change adaptation and mitigation provided by agro forestry. Agro forestry has played a greater role in the maintenance of the ecosystem and mitigation of CO2 than monocropping and open cereal-based agriculture but less than natural forest. Agro forestry is important for preserving biodiversity, CO2 sequestration, and adapting to climate change. CO2 sequestration through above and ground biomass, offsetting CO2 emission from deforestation and microclimate modification are major climate change mitigation effects. Provision of numerous ecosystem services such as food, fodder, and fuel wood, income source, and enhancing soil productivity help the community to sustain changing climate effects. Hence, considerable attention needs to be given to agro forestry to contribute considerable benefit to the maintenance of the ecosystem, and climate change mitigation and adaptation next to a forest.

Towards indicative baseline and decarbonization pathways for embodied life cycle GHG emissions of buildings across Europe

Buildings’ construction and operation are major contributors to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the substantial reduction of GHG emissions across their full life cycle is required to enable meeting international climate targets. For effective climate change mitigation - as recent studies have shown - a special focus has to be put on lowering embodied GHG emissions, i.e., emissions related to construction production manufacturing and construction processes, maintenance and replacement as well as end-of-life processing. As the importance of reducing embodied GHG emissions rises, so does the need for understanding both the baseline and pathways for reduction across the full life cycle of buildings. In this paper, we offer insights into the data-driven analysis of embodied GHG emissions across the whole life cycle of buildings from recent studies. Our investigation builds on the data collection, processing and harmonisation of around 1.000 building LCA case studies. We offer an integrated perspective on GHG emissions across the life cycle of buildings, considering historical trends, current baselines and indicative reduction pathways for embodied GHG emissions in different countries across Europe. This serves to inform our current ‘decade of action’ and the transformation to a regenerative built environment by 2050.

Analysis of the air pollution reduction and climate change mitigation effects of the Three-Year Action Plan for Blue Skies on the “2+26” Cities in China

City clusters play an important role in air pollutant and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction in China, primarily due to their high fossil energy consumption levels. The "2+26" Cities, i.e., Beijing, Tianjin and 26 other perfectures in northern China, has experienced serious air pollution in recent years. We employ the Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies model adapted to the "2+26" Cities (GAINS-JJJ) to evaluate the impacts of structural adjustments in four major sectors, industry, energy, transport and land use, under the Three-Year Action Plan for Blue Skies (Three-Year Action Plan) on the emissions of both the major air pollutants and CO2 in the "2+26" Cities. The results indicate that the Three-Year Action Plan applied in the "2+26" Cities reduces the total emissions of primary fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 2.5μm (PM2.5), SO2, NOx, NH3 and CO2 by 17%, 25%, 21%, 3% and 1%, respectively, from 2017 to 2020. The emission reduction potentials vary widely across the 28 prefectures, which may be attributed to the differences in energy structure, industrial composition, and policy enforcement rate. Among the four sectors, adjustment of industrial structure attains the highest co-benefits of CO2 reduction and air pollution control due to its high CO2 reduction potential, while structural adjustments in energy and transport attain much lower co-benefits, despite their relatively high air pollutant emissions reductions, primarily resulting from an increase in the coal-electric load and associated carbon emissions caused by electric reform policies..

Methane emissions and global warming: Mitigation technologies, policy ambitions, and global efforts

Methane emissions are the second highest contributor to climate change. Despite having a much lower atmospheric concentration than carbon dioxide, anthropogenic methane emissions account for almost one-third of anthropogenic warming since the pre-industrial period. Recently, the reduction of methane emissions has been recognized as an effective lever for reducing the impact of climate change in the next decade with less drastic economic and industrial costs than equivalent carbon dioxide mitigation. However, the wide range of methane emission sources, many of which are intermittent and at low concentration, poses a challenge for current detection and mitigation tools. Promising technical progress has been made on both fronts over the past decade, especially within the oil and gas sector, yet widespread implementation of mitigation policies and technologies lags considerably. The 2021 Global Methane Pledge for a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 signals an increase in political will and can be achieved with these existing tools. It is estimated that the majority of these reductions can be accomplished through revenue-neutral or positive actions. Yet, a faster rate of reductions and sustained reductions beyond what is already available will be needed to maintain a 1.5◦C pathway. In the long term, more comprehensive policies, coupled with significant innovations in methane emission monitoring and mitigation, could enable an effective climate change mitigation strategy.

Ecological Network Analysis of State-Level Energy Consumption in Maryland, USA

Renewable and clean energy sources are being integrated into the United States’ modern energy industry to mitigate climate change effects, creating a more complex network of energy production, distribution, and consumption. This study defines the state of Maryland’s energy industry as a network of producers and consumers and analyzes the network’s characteristics by using ecological network analysis (ENA), an analytical tool useful for identifying a system’s indirect effects. The energy industry within Maryland is analyzed over a nine-year time span to understand how its evolution is influencing the network’s characteristics. Maryland’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) for the year 2030 is then simulated by adjusting renewable and non-renewable energy sources according to energy trends and related state policy. Results from the ENA over the nine-year period of 2010–2019 indicate that the energy industry is highly linear. While typical cycling indices range from 5–15% in ecological energy flow models, cycling indices in this study ranged from 0.007% to 0.0082%. Maryland’s energy industry in the year 2030 is simulated and displays increased cycling because renewable sources typically feed the electricity sector for energy distribution, increasing indirect pathways within the system. The percentage of electricity generated by renewable energy increased from 9.71% in 2019 to 50% in 2030, as mandated in the RPS. Network analyses here emphasize the large gap between Maryland’s current energy infrastructure and what is necessary to meet its renewable targets in 2030. Furthermore, they indicate that a more uniform distribution of energy to consumers may increase efficiency in modern energy industries.

Global climate as a commons – Decision making on climate change in least developed countries

The international endeavour to prevent climate change requires action from all parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Many least developed countries (LDCs) have prepared nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to implement the Paris Agreement despite economic challenges; however, their level of commitment varies. Understanding the factors that underpin the variation in commitment among low-income countries would facilitate effective agreements and enhance global implementation. The study aimed to determine the degree to which 36 LDCs implemented the Paris Agreement in their NDCs, and the factors that determined the degree. We applied the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework and the Institutional Grammar Tool (IGT) developed by Elinor Ostrom and her colleagues to enable systematic assessments of institutions. To identify the determinants of the degree of implementation, national contexts, decision-making, and patterns of interaction were investigated for five case countries. The countries appeared to focus on international determinants, rather than on national political decision making. Therefore, encouraging countries to communicate changes in national institutional and economic arrangements required for effective climate change mitigation is imperative. Countries that consider the importance of structural changes and institutional strengthening, such as education and political and legislative instruments, are likely to implement the Paris Agreement to a high degree. A fair, inclusive procedure; the consequent legitimate burden; and the required criteria with synergy between mitigation and development provide the most effective mitigation. Applying the operationalised framework can benefit improvements in international climate agreements and local institutions.

Natural infrastructure in dryland streams (NIDS) can establish regenerative wetland sinks that reverse desertification and strengthen climate resilience

In this article we describe the natural hydrogeomorphological and biogeochemical cycles of dryland fluvial ecosystems that make them unique, yet vulnerable to land use activities and climate change. We introduce Natural Infrastructure in Dryland Streams (NIDS), which are structures naturally or anthropogenically created from earth, wood, debris, or rock that can restore implicit function of these systems. This manuscript further discusses the capability of and functional similarities between beaver dams and anthropogenic NIDS, documented by decades of scientific study. In addition, we present the novel, evidence-based finding that NIDS can create wetlands in water-scarce riparian zones, with soil organic carbon stock as much as 200 to 1400 Mg C/ha in the top meter of soil. We identify the key restorative action of NIDS, which is to slow the drainage of water from the landscape such that more of it can infiltrate and be used to facilitate natural physical, chemical, and biological processes in fluvial environments. Specifically, we assert that the rapid drainage of water from such environments can be reversed through the restoration of natural infrastructure that once existed. We then explore how NIDS can be used to restore the natural biogeochemical feedback loops in these systems. We provide examples of how NIDS have been used to restore such feedback loops, the lessons learned from installation of NIDS in the dryland streams of the southwestern United States, how such efforts might be scaled up, and what the implications are for mitigating climate change effects. Our synthesis portrays how restoration using NIDS can support adaptation to and protection from climate-related disturbances and stressors such as drought, water shortages, flooding, heatwaves, dust storms, wildfire, biodiversity losses, and food insecurity.

The role of central banks in supporting climate change efforts

Abstract The paper uses qualitative research to provide a brief overview of the role that central banks can or should play in supporting the efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, a topic that is currently under intense public scrutiny. In terms of their mandate, independence and responsibility, an implicit mandate regarding climate change objectives seems to be a safer option, as an explicit one would charge the central banks with an objective that they might not be well equipped to achieve. In terms of what central banks can do, the potential actions were separated according to monetary policies (quantitative easing and a reconsideration of the collateral that central banks accept in their operations, with a focus on green assets) and regulatory approaches (measures taken under the current Basel 3 regulatory framework, according to the three Pillars). Overall, it is showed that central banks can and very likely will have to play a role in these efforts, as the case studies included in the paper also hint. In particular, one main area for future research will be the options to adapt the regulatory framework to better support the efforts to mitigate climate change effects (macroprudential tools, different treatments of exposures according to their classifications as green or not etc.). Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that the bulk of the measures needed to achieve the desired climate change objectives will rest upon Governments, with the central banks’ actions being a complement to these measures, not a substitute of them.

Exports as a new paradigm to connect business and information technology for sustainable development

With efficient and effective access to information technology, exports could be the best solution for businesses to tackle climate change through “learning by exporting” for sustainable development. With this context as reference, this study uses the directional distance function and the Malmquist–Luenberger Productivity Index (MLPI) to analyze the “green” total factor productivity (GTFP) growth of exporting firms in India by comparing them with non-exporting firms from 2012 to 2020. The finding reveals that, on average, GTFP growth is higher for the exporting firms (7.9%) as compared to non-exporting firms (-0.7%)—the “learning by exporting” effect exists in India, and exports could help Indian firms tackle climate change. Moreover, the decomposition of the MLPI shows that technical change (TC) is the main driver of GTFP in both exporting and non-exporting groups—IT or technological innovation leads to an increase in environmental productivity. Furthermore, the Tobit model is used to analyze the main drivers of TC that promote the GTFP in both groups. The results show that the product innovation (0.61%) has exerted a remarkable positive effect on promoting the GTFP of exporting firms and the human capital quality (0.57%) in non-exporting firms. Based on these findings, we propose that Indian policymakers “prudently” implement more field-oriented or performance-oriented policies for firms through promotional policies, such as tax incentives, while also encouraging the adoption of innovative technology for more effective mitigation of climate change for sustainable development.

Climate Policy Reform in Nepal through the Lenses of the Institutional Analysis and Development Framework

Successful climate change mitigation requires the commitment of rapidly developing low-income countries. Although most of them have strategies to tackle a fair share of the burden, implementation is low despite large amounts of international aid. We aimed to identify the dynamics underpinning their low implementation, using Nepal as a case study. Aid-dependent Nepal is vulnerable to climate change and committed to its mitigation while pursuing democracy and development. We applied an institutional analysis and development framework as well as an institutional grammar tool to analyze national climate policy. We found that the current national institutions did not enable effective climate change mitigation. Despite relevant political decisions being made, the arrangements were enacted slowly. Contrary to development issues, climate issues were not tackled across all of the relevant sectors, such as waste management, traffic, and agriculture, nor across governance levels, while there was little coherence between development and climate policies. Instead, community forestry was set in the main charge of climate actions, as explained by the history of development collaboration. Additionally, climate education was mainly addressed to local communities rather than to decision-makers. We conclude that building local institutions and funding addressed effectively, even to local actors, are key options to improve the implementation of the national climate strategies of Nepal and low-income countries.

Use of Plant-Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and Mycorrhizal Fungi Consortium as a Strategy to Improve Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Productivity under Different Irrigation Regimes

Climate change prediction indicates an increased likelihood of precipitation variability and droughts in the Mediterranean region. Previous studies demonstrated that microbial symbionts combined with supplementary irrigation could mitigate climate change effects and boost chickpea production in low-fertility soils. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of inoculation with a consortium of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Pseudomonas sp., Burkholderia sp. and Mesorhizobium sp.) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Rhizophagus irregularis, Funneliformis geosporum and Claroideoglomus claroideum) on growth, grain yield and crude protein content of chickpeas under the following irrigation regimes: I1-no water stress, I2-moderate water stress, I3-strong water-stress, I4-no water stress in critical growth stages of plant cycle development and I5-severe water stress). Plants irrigated only during the critical growth stages of flowering and pod filling showed higher grain yields compared to plants from other water deficit irrigation treatments. Additionally, chickpeas co-inoculated with PGPR and AMF, and irrigated only during critical growth stages, presented higher grain yield than non-inoculated plants without water stress (1.45- and 1.33-fold increase in 2018 and 2019, respectively). Inoculation with beneficial microorganisms and supplemental irrigation at critical stages benefits chickpea growth and should be considered for increasing crop productivity and promoting agricultural sustainability.

Mitigating Climate Change Effects: A Global Approach

The following theses are claimed, several contrasting current climate policies and taxonomies. Analysis, based on solely carbon dioxide emission and energy budget, concludes a set of concrete solutions for mitigating climate change effects. Some of the theses violate more orthodox policy which is thus protested against in order to move forward. • Our long-term goal must be to stop using all carbon-containing fuels, including natural gas and other fossil products as well as biofuels. • We must electrify society and industry, with electricity from only non-carbon-based power including nuclear power, hydro-electric, wind and solar power. • We must prepare ourselves for changes. Even if the present emission volumes of carbon dioxide were possible to stop immediately, various lag effects are inevitable and negative development will therefore continue for considerable time. • We must count with continued melting of land ice, the complete liquifying of the Antarctica ice expected to lead to a global sea level rise by some 60 m, flooding most capitals. Among various solutions to mitigate the effects of ice melting, including lowered global temperatures, the following is proposed. • To mitigate sea level rise, stationary water reservoirs should be built around the world. With estimated melting rates it would require ca 1 million reservoirs be deployed or expanded during the next 20-40 years. • Such reservoirs could also solve the emergent problem of lack of fresh water in many places. They could also be used for local storage of hydroelectric energy by using pump storage hydroelectric (PSH) technology. • All energy production sources should be analyzed according to a Total Balanced Energy Budget (TBEB) with the main objective of minimizing the emissions of greenhouse gases. • For each region/country, a table of available or conceivable complementary electric energy sources should be made and ranked according to TBEB—the sources given priority weights depending on feasibility, significance, and environmental friendliness. Tables are presented for Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, France, Ukraine, California, Massachusetts, Maine, Peru, Australia, China and Japan. Generally, we find the following rank of priority applicable. • Solar energy from desert arid areas is given highest priority in replacing carbon-based forms of energy. Submarine electric cables may be deployed along the Australia-Singapore model, if the available power grids are insufficient for the energy transport. • Electrolysis of water producing clean hydrogen gas is given very high priorityboth for using hydrogen as fuel as well as for energy storage. Improved efficiency should be achieved by the development of electrolysis catalysts. • Hydroelectric power in combination with PSH is given high priority to mitigate both grid power fluctuations as well as source (solar and wind) intermittence. • False hope should not be seeded among society and politicians by inflating projects that are less realistic or suboptimal for technological, economic or other reasons. Here, probably most forms of “biofuels” (which although being “carbon neutral” do produce carbon dioxide) and “carbon capture” (catching carbon dioxide gas at the combustion site, compressing it to liquid and depositing it in salt mines or empty oil fields) are considered less significant compared to other more direct solutions. Both biofuels and carbon capture may be associated with social and environmental issues. • Political legislation and instruments (“taxonomy”) invented with the original objective of mitigating negative climate change effects should be reanalyzed and changed if not functional. The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)—a market for outlet rights, for example, is a local initiative which despite its valuable ambition might be suboptimal with respect to goal of efficient decrease of carbon dioxide emission globally. Similarly, “climate taxonomy” can create loopholes bypassing a sound TBEB. • Science-based targets (SBT) to decarbonize the private sector as part of global efforts to achieve the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement should be further encouraged. • Solve economic and political challenges allowing and promoting establishment of required international energy collaborations (e.g., for solar energy cross-continental transport programs).

Don’t gloss over social science! a response to: Glavovic et al. (2021) ‘the tragedy of climate change science’

ABSTRACT Glavovic et al. ([2021]. The tragedy of climate change science. Climate and Development, 1–5.) recently argued that the science-society contract is broken and that – given the urgency of climate change – scientists should agree to a moratorium on climate change research. We are grateful to the authors for their courage to spark this very important discussion, even if we disagree with their proposed solution. They consider three solutions: continuing with science as usual, increasing social science research, and declaring a moratorium on climate change research and future IPCC reports; they argue that only the latter presents a real prospect for restoring the science-society contract. We certainly agree that the world has largely failed to act on the scientific knowledge on climate change. However, we disagree that the science-society contract is broken and that a moratorium on climate change research is a tenable or meaningful solution. Instead, we suggest that natural scientists have done their job effectively, but that powerful political and cultural forces are standing in the way of effective climate change mitigation and more social science and humanities research is needed to expose and address these power structures.

Rice farmers’ perceptions and response to climate variability, and determinants of adaptation strategies in the Republic of Benin

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate rice farmers’ perceptions on the manifestations of the climate change and identify efficient strategies and determinants of adoption of these strategies in the Republic of Benin.Design/methodology/approachSurveys were conducted using participatory research appraisal tools and techniques, such as direct observation, individual interviews and field visits through a questionnaire for data collection. A total of 418 rice farmers across 39 villages located in the three climatic zones of the Republic of Benin were interviewed. Farmers’ perceptions, temperature from 1952 to 2018 and rainfall from 1960 to 2018 data obtained from meteorological stations were analysed using descriptive and inferences statistics.FindingsAll the surveyed farmers were aware of climate change and perceived diverse manifestations including the delay in rainfall regarded as the most important risk. They perceived that deforestation, no respect for the laws of nature and desacralization of morals, no respect for cultures and the traditional rainmakers are the main causes of climate change. The disruption of agricultural calendar and the reduction in rice yield were perceived as the main impacts of climate change in rice production. They used various approaches to adapt and mitigate climate change effects. The adoption of adaptation strategies was influenced either negatively or positively by the household size, land size, education level, membership to rice farmer’s association, training in rice production, access to extension services, use of improved varieties and the location in climatic zones.Research limitations/implicationsFor each climatic zone of the Republic of Benin, weather data were collected in only one meteorological station.Practical implicationsThe study showed that it is important to educate rice farmers on the scientific causes of climate change for better resilience. There is an urgent need to train rice farmers in irrigation and water management techniques to cope with climate variability. To promote irrigation, the authors suggest the establishment of a subsidy and credit mechanism by the government. Factors that influenced adoption of efficient adaptation strategies to climate events must be taken into account for future adaptation policies in the Republic of Benin.Originality/valueThis study provided an overview of the perceptions and adaptations of rice farmers along the climatic gradient in the Republic of Benin. Therefore, the knowledge of the determining factors of the adaptation strategies used by rice farmers could be used in the setting up of effective climate change resilience policies in Benin.