Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Research Articles

Applying Digital Technology to Understand Human Experiences of Climate Change Impacts on Food Security and Mental Health: Scoping Review.

The global impact of climate change ranges from intense heatwaves to extreme weather events that endanger entire ecosystems and people's way of life. Adverse climate change events place undue stress on food and health systems, with consequences for human food security and mental health status. Ubiquitous digital devices, such as smartphones, have the potential to manage existing and emerging climate-related crises, given their ability to enable rapid response, instant communication, and knowledge sharing. This scoping review aimed to identify digital apps being used to capture or address climate change impacts on food security and mental health to inform the development of a digital citizen science initiative. A scoping review was conducted using 3 peer-reviewed databases (PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science) and manual gray literature searches of relevant organizational (ie, governmental and nonprofit) websites to identify articles and reports published between January 2012 and July 2023. Three separate searches were conducted in each database to identify digital apps focused on climate change and (1) food security, (2) mental health, and (3) food security and mental health. Two reviewers conducted initial screening, with a third reviewer resolving any discrepancies. Articles focused on climate change impacts on wildlife or agriculture (ie, not human food security) were excluded. Full-text screening was conducted for shortlisted articles, and a final data abstraction table was generated, summarizing key app features, contextual factors, and participant involvement. From the 656 records screened, 14 digital apps met the inclusion criteria. The food security apps (n=7, 50%) aimed to capture traditional knowledge to preserve food systems, conduct food security assessments, and aid users in decreasing food insecurity risk. The mental health apps (n=7, 50%) assessed climate change-related stress and provided users with coping strategies following adverse weather events. No digital apps examined the intersection of climate change, food security, and mental health. Key app features included user-to-user communication (n=5, 36%), knowledge databases (n=5, 36%), data collection and analysis (n=3, 21%), gamification (n=1, 7%), and educational resources (n=2, 14%) to address climate change impacts on food security or mental health. In total, 3 approaches to participant involvement were used across studies, including contributory (n=1, 7%), collaborative (n=1, 7%), and cocreative (n=1, 7%) approaches, to ensure the relevance and use of digital apps. Most digital apps identified provided a service to citizens to either prevent adverse climate change-related health impacts or manage these effects following an acute event or a natural disaster. The capacity of ubiquitous digital tools to enable near real-time communication, the involvement of various stakeholder groups, and their ability to share relevant educational resources in a timely manner are important for developing tailored climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies across jurisdictions.

Regional Climate Change and Drought Dynamics in Tunceli, Turkey: Insights from Drought Indices

Global warming and climate change are causing temperatures to rise, which is having a negative impact on water resources. Climate change is a worldwide problem that affects and will continue to affect the frequency and intensity of natural disasters in many regions of the world. Tunceli region in Turkey, which until 10 years ago was known as an environmentally friendly city with abundant water resources and frequent rainfall, is experiencing a decrease in precipitation during the snowy winter season. This situation has made the investigation of climate change impacts an important issue in the region. Therefore, effective climate change adaptation strategies need to be developed. To determine these strategies, in this study, we assessed long-term drought conditions using multiple drought indices such as Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI), Normal Precipitation Index (PNI), and Aridity Index (AI). The SPI and RDI analyses were performed in annual reference periods on a time scale of 3, 6, 9, and 12 months using temperature, precipitation, and evaporation data. Consequently, the SPI and RDI results were compared, and both indices show similar behavior in dry, wet, and normal seasons. Nevertheless, RDI shows less variation between different time scales, which is an advantage over SPI and is probably due to the inclusion of potential evapotranspiration in RDI. The variations in PNI between humid and dry sub-humid categorizations throughout the years, combined with the AI results, indicate that the Tunceli region predominantly experiences a climate ranging from dry sub-humid to semi-arid. This study could help decision-makers take effective measures to become more resilient to climate change in temperate climate regions and take important steps toward sustainable water resources management.

Building information modeling (BIM) driven performance-based construction for the optimization of sustainable and smart structures development

Given the escalating apprehensions regarding climate change and environmental risks, the construction industry is confronted with the crucial task of guaranteeing the enduring structural robustness of buildings. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as an innovative tool to tackle these challenges effectively and enhance the performance of building structures processes by developing intelligent and sustainable structures. A comprehensive methodology was utilized to assess the relationships between the BIM factors and their impacts on smart and sustainable structure development by conducting a literature overview, quantitative analysis, exploratory factorial analysis (EFA), structural equation modeling (SEM), and predictive relevance findings. The findings show positive correlations between the implementation of BIM and the elements integral to smart and sustainable structure development. This study investigates the effects of BIM-driven environmental risk assessment, BIM-enabled energy efficiency, environmental performance, climate change adaptation strategies with BIM, and real-time monitoring and maintenance on the effectiveness of smart and sustainable structures development. The BIM-driven environmental risk assessment significantly impacts the sustainable and smart structures development with B = 0.360, followed by the real-time monitoring and maintenance with BIM with 0.316. This study provides the contemporary knowledge base by providing insights into BIM's transformative abilities in shifting sustainable and smart construction practices. The outcomes offer widespread insights to enterprise specialists interested in enhancing task effects and organizing sustainable and environmentally aware built surroundings. The growing popularity of BIM has implications for the future growth of the construction industry in phrases of ecologically smart and sustainable structure development.

Heritage Resilience and Identity: Lesson from Trabocchi Coast about Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

Climate change and land use are major drivers of environmental and socioeconomic transformations in landscapes and in coastal areas. The objective of this study was to present an interdisciplinary and participatory research methodology for analysing the evolutionary process of a coastal case study, the Trabocchi Coast in the Abruzzo Region (Italy), from multiple perspectives, including climate change, technological history, conservation protocols, and social function. The goal was to assess the resilience of these coastal structures, i.e., their ability to cope and adapt to changes while maintaining their identity and recognition. The adopted approach combined qualitative and quantitative data from the meteorological analyses, literature review, and field investigations involving a participatory workshop, from which a significant portion of the analysed results presented here emerged. The results indicate that the Trabocchi Coast has undergone significant changes in recent decades, posing a serious threat to cultural heritage due to climate change (sea-level rise, coastal erosion, storms, flooding and salinisation), changes in use and mass tourism. However, these changes have also presented challenges and opportunities for coastal development, stimulating diverse resilient responses from local communities, ranging from resistance to innovation. The paper discusses the factors that may make the Trabocchi Coast a model of resilience considering these changes. This is supported by the role of local institutions as guarantors of the cultural heritage value of the trabocchi in that specific landscape context, as evidenced by the approval of the “Costa dei Trabocchi Special Territorial Project” by the Abruzzo Region in 2023.

Assessment of the financial performance and sustainability of water management companies in Spain from a quantitative and technological perspective (2018-2022)

Introduction: Water collection, treatment and distribution companies in Spain face challenges due to climate variability, obsolete infrastructures and the need for efficient water resource management. This study provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the financial and operational performance of the sector, addressing climate change adaptations and innovative technologies, areas little explored in previous studies. Methodology: A quantitative analysis of financial and operational data from official sources was carried out, complemented by a literature review on water resources management and technological trends. Includes financial data collection and analysis, profitability assessment, and analysis of climate change adaptation technologies and strategies. Results and discussions: An improvement in the profitability of the sector was observed, due to efficient management and modernisation of infrastructures. Public-private collaboration and the adoption of innovative technologies, such as desalination and reuse of recycled water, are crucial to address climate challenges and ensure sustainability. It also highlights the need for a global approach to water management due to the externalisation of water stress. Conclusions: In conclusion, it emphasises innovation and collaboration to improve water management in Spain, ensuring its sustainability and future resilience.

Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Its Impact on Household Vulnerability to Food Insecurity: A Micro-Level Evidence from Southwest Ethiopia

Smallholder farmers in Ethiopia face increasing challenges from climate change and variability, which threaten their food security and livelihoods. This study examines how adopting single and combined climate change adaptation practices affects their vulnerability to food insecurity in Bench Maji Zone, southwest Ethiopia. Through multistage sampling, data were gathered from 390 rural households in four climate-prone districts. The study examines the impacts resulting from both individual and combined implementations of adaptation techniques. These techniques encompass crop management practices, soil and water conservation measures, and livelihood portfolio diversification strategies. The study employed the multinomial endogenous treatment effect regression model to address selection bias and endogeneity resulting from various sources of heterogeneity, whether observed or unobserved. The results show that farmers who adopted adaptation practices were less vulnerable to food insecurity than those who did not. The study also finds that adopting multiple practices has a more significant impact than adopting single practices. Our findings suggest that implementing climate change adaptation strategies can increase the resilience of smallholder farmers in the study area and decrease their vulnerability to food insecurity. The study recommends supporting farmers in adopting these strategies through research and development, information dissemination, and collaborations among farmers, researchers, and extension services.

Coupled Climate–Environment–Society–Ecosystem Resilience Coordination Analytical Study—A Case Study of Zhejiang Province

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the coupled coordination degree of climate, environmental, socio-economic, and ecosystem resilience in Zhejiang Province from 2010 to 2022 and to propose optimization strategies. With the increasing impact of global climate change, the need to explore the construction of resilient cities and sustainable development models has become increasingly pressing. Assessing the coupled coordination among climate, environment, socio-economic, and ecosystem resilience aids in suggesting more precise and effective social and ecological recovery strategies in the context of climate change. Zhejiang Province, serving as a model for China’s urbanization development, demonstrates a balance between the natural environment, economic growth, and social development but still suffers from ecological and environmental pollution problems. In this study, an evaluation system was constructed utilizing the entropy weight method (EWM), and the coupled coordination among climate, environmental, socio-economic, and ecosystem resilience in Zhejiang Province was empirically analyzed over the period from 2010 to 2022. The results show that (1) the climatic-environmental, socio-economic, and ecological subsystems of cities in Zhejiang Province generally show an upward trend, despite fluctuations over different periods. (2) The climatic-environmental-social-ecological system resilience of the cities in Zhejiang Province increased as a whole, and six cities (Hangzhou: 0.805, Quzhou: 0.811, Huzhou: 0.827, Taizhou: 0.829, Wenzhou: 0.856, and Jinhua: 0.857) reached the “well-coordinated” level by 2022; however, the coupling coordination of Jiaxing City and Lishui City decreased from good to intermediate coordination. (3) The coupled coordination degree of climatic-environmental-social-ecological system resilience generally stagnated in each city during 2020–2022. Thus, the climate change adaptation strategy proposed in this study aims to enhance urban adaptive capacity to climate change impacts by controlling pollutant emissions, restoring ecosystems, optimizing industrial structures, and designing urban green spaces.

Risk reduction through managed retreat? Investigating enabling conditions and assessing resettlement effects on community resilience in Metro Manila

Abstract. Managed retreat, a key strategy in climate change adaptation for areas with high hazard exposure, raises concerns due to its disruptive nature, vulnerability issues and overall risk in the new location. On-site upgrading or near-site resettlement is seen as more appropriate and effective compared to a relocation far from the former place of living. However, these conclusions often refer to only a very limited set of empirical case studies or do not sufficiently consider different context conditions and phases in resettlement. Against this background, this paper examines the conditions and factors contributing to community resilience of different resettlement projects in Metro Manila. In this urban agglomeration reside an estimated 500 000 informal households, with more than 100 000 occupying high-risk areas. In light of the already realized and anticipated climate change effects, this precarious living situation exposes families, already socio-economically vulnerable, to an increased risk of flooding. The response of the Philippine government to the vexing problem of informal dwellers has been large-scale resettlement from coasts, rivers and creeks to state-owned sites at urban fringes. However, only very few resettlement projects could be realized as in-city projects close to the original living space. The study employs a sequential mixed-method approach, integrating a large-scale quantitative household survey and focus group discussions (FGDs) for a robust comparison of resettlement types. Further, it reveals community-defined enabling factors for managed retreat as climate change adaptation strategy. Results indicate minor variations in well-being conditions between in-city and off-city resettlement, challenging the expected impact of a more urban setting on resilience. Instead, essential prerequisites for resettlement involve reduced hazard exposure, secure tenure and safety from crime. Beyond these essential conditions, social cohesion and institutional support systems emerge as significant influencers for the successful establishment of well-functioning new settlements. With this findings, the study contributes to the expanding body of literature on managed retreat, offering a comprehensive evaluation based on extensive datasets and providing entry points for the improvement of retreat as a climate change adaptation strategy.

Mega Ports’ Mitigation Response and Adaptation to Climate Change

Mega ports, defined in this study as those handling over 5 million TEUs annually, are major hubs within the dynamic framework of global trade, influencing both economic and environmental landscapes. This study identifies climate change as the foremost environmental concern for these ports, necessitating urgent and strategic responses. Through comprehensive research, this paper explores the main Climate Change Mitigation (CCM) strategies and evaluates their implementation across mega ports worldwide. Findings indicate widespread adoption of certain strategies, such as setting greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets and providing on-shore power supply (OPS), while also identifying challenges, particularly in implementing environmentally differentiated port fees. Additionally, this paper outlines key strategies for climate change adaptation (CCA) in ports. The results of this research offer insights into sustainable practices and collaborative efforts to confront climate change challenges effectively. These findings have the potential to significantly improve maritime policy and ship management strategies.

POULTRY FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated poultry farmers’ knowledge level of climate change adaptation strategies in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives identified the various sources of agricultural information available to the farmers on climate change in the study area, examined the knowledge level of the poultry farmers on climate change adaptation strategies; ascertained various climate change adaptation strategies employed by poultry farmers in the area. A multi-staged sampling technique was employed in sampling 120 poultry farmers that took part in the survey. A set of questionnaires was used to get responses from farmers. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Findings from the study showed that fellow farmers were the major source of information on agriculture for 90% of the poultry farmers. while good housing system (100%), adequate extensive poultry management system (100%) and immediate vaccination of birds (100%) ranked high on the table of climate change adaptation strategies that poultry farmers utilize. Also, with a grand mean of 2.52, above the benchmark mean of 2.00, the poultry producers demonstrated a high level of knowledge regarding measures for adapting to climate change. The hypothesis result indicated a strong relationship between the farmers' sources of information on strategies for adapting to climate change and their level of knowledge with these tactics. The study came to the conclusion that poultry farmers had a high level of knowledge about different climate change adaptation strategies, primarily from other farmers. As a result, it was recommended that the government increase the availability of extension services to poultry farmers so that they can obtain scientifically verified and tried-and-true information on adaptation strategies for increased and sustainable knowledge in the study area.

Impact of common shade tree species on microclimate and cocoa growth in agroforestry systems in Ghana

AbstractClimate change is a growing threat to agriculture globally, with most substantial impacts expected in tropical smallholder systems such as cocoa farms in West Africa. Cocoa agroforestry is widely believed to enhance resilience to climatic extremes due to protection and a favourable microclimate under the shade trees. Morphological traits of many locally used shade tree species and their specific contribution to microclimate for climate-resilient cocoa production remain unclear. Therefore, aboveground morphology and sub canopy microclimate of eight common shade tree species were investigated in cocoa agroforestry systems in the Ahafo region, Ghana. Additionally, the growth of cocoa trees in three different distance zones to the shade tree stem was measured. The eight different shade tree species exhibited considerable variation in their impact on microclimate and cocoa growth. M. indica and M. excelsa allowed lowest light transmission, with the highest microclimatic buffering effect, i.e., reducing vapour pressure deficit and daily fluctuations of temperature and relative humidity. Cocoa trees around M. lucida and F. capensis were the highest in growth, characterized by height and stem diameter. However, a universally superior shade tree species could not be identified implying the need for shade tree diversity allowing various microclimatic conditions within an agroforestry system to spread risk of climate extremes. Cocoa tree growth was more affected by distance to the shade tree than by shade tree species, resulting in enhanced growth with distance to the stem. These findings provide a better understanding of species-related differences on cocoa growing conditions and climate change adaptation strategies.

DAIRY FARMERS' VIEWS ON OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO ADOPTING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES

This study investigates the challenges inhibiting dairy farmers in South Gujarat from adopting climate change adaptation strategies and presents their perspectives on overcoming these constraints. Data were collected from 280 dairy farmers who were selected through multistage random sampling method in seven districts of South Gujarat. Survey findings revealed predominant issues: Communication participation, social engagement, and key farm-related factors significantly correlated with dairy farmers' adaptation strategies, while certain demographic and economic factors showed significant relationships at different probability levels. Non-significant correlations were found for age, gender, education, and other variables, suggesting nuanced influences that may require further exploration.86.77% cited inadequate technical guidance for livestock practices as the primary barrier, followed by 75.00% experiencing the unavailability of critical adaptation inputs. Financial constraints (67.85%) and limited access to timely weather forecasts (63.57%) were also significant hurdles. Reasons for non-adoption varied with 79.28% attributing it to insufficient resources and 72.50% believing climate change was exaggerated. Conversely, 51.78% sought innovative dairy farming to engage rural youth. The suggestions provided by farmers highlighted urgent needs: establishing low-cost weather forecasting systems (87.85%) and regular technical guidance visits (82.14%). Financial aid (72.50%) and awareness about livestock insurance schemes (60.71%) were stressed, alongside training in climate mitigation practices (59.28%).These findings underscore the multifaceted challenges faced by dairy farmers and offer a clear direction for policymakers and stakeholders. Implementing the suggested solutions could empower the farming community in adopting resilient climate adaptation strategies in South Gujarat reason.

Nexus between Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Adaptation to Climate Change Strategies by Farmers in Kajiado County, Kenya

Indigenous knowledge (IK) has played an important role in adaptation to climate change in traditional agricultural communities. These approaches have been shown to be more effective when integrated with scientifically developed strategies. In this study, a perception survey questionnaire was used to find out whether there is a nexus between IK systems and the uptake of modern Climate Change Adaptation Strategies (CCAS) among farmers in Kajiado County, Kenya. A mixed research approach that involved the use of household questionnaire surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGD), and observations was used to obtain data. The two theories, namely the Situated Learning Theory (SLT) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), formed the basis for illustrating the relationship between variables, while the Model of Private Proactive Adaptation to Climate Change (MPPACC) was the key theoretical model employed. A total of 382 small-scale rural household representatives randomly selected from 3 Kajiado sub-counties were the principal respondents. The key informants included officers in the departments of agriculture, environment, meteorology, trade, and industry, as well as local administration and village elders. Statistical tools such as chi-square, correlation, and binary logistic regression analysis were used to determine associations. Thematic analysis of data collected from key informants and focus group discussions (FGD) was conducted to triangulate the survey results. Farmers' awareness of climate change, risk perceptions of impacts, existing locally developed approaches to climate change adaptation, and perceptions of CCAS were the main areas of investigation. The majority of farmers (85%) indicated that prolonged drought was the main extreme event that affected their farming activities. Of the indicators observed, drought (X2 = 13.861, p =.000) was perceived as the greatest risk associated with climate change to their agricultural productivity. Their IK adaptation strategies resulted from their interactions with the effects of drought on their livelihoods over the years. Farmers who were nomadic (IK practitioners) were not willing to apply for CCAS. For example, they were 72% less likely to increase their irrigated cropped area and 79% less likely to increase the number of better livestock breeds. Among the CCAS approaches, water resource management was the only preferred strategy. This particular finding shows that climate change policies can be easily adopted by indigenous farming communities if they are developed around an issue that matches their socio-ecological priorities. Without taking into account the prevailing social, cultural, and geo-environmental context of specific communities, the adoption of CCAS by farmers would be significantly affected. The study recommends that integrating indigenous agricultural knowledge into climate change adaptation policies enhances community resilience. Aligning adaptation strategies with local responses enriches farmer knowledge and boosts resilience against climate change impacts. Effective climate change adaptation plans should incorporate local weather prediction, environmental conservation, and proven community-based strategies, especially in water resource management for arid and semi-arid pastoralist communities.

Integrating Climate Change Adaptation Strategies into Urban Policies for Sustainable City Resilience: Barriers and Solutions in the Central African City of N’Djaména

Climate change has become a serious threat to human life. This study aims to reveal the face of climate policies and the integration of urban adaptation into urban planning policies in the city of N’Djaména. To achieve this, we adopted a methodology combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Surveys of key informants were used to gather information on how to achieve the objectives set. The results show that key informants believe that climate policies have not met the expectations of the city’s citizens in terms of effectiveness and positive impacts. These players assume that urban policy planning does not take urban adaptation into account. The four categories of barriers hindering the integration of urban adaptation and its implementation relate to a lack of information and knowledge, political ill will, and organization and constraints linked to the mobilization and availability of resources. This study suggests the sharing of information, knowledge, and communication involving all stakeholders in N’Djaména’s urban development, the organization of the city’s state and municipal structures, the involvement and support of political authorities, greater access to financing, and the establishment of professional networks of expertise as catalysts for success.

Exploring combined adaptation strategies to improve crop yield and smallholder farmers’ welfare

ABSTRACT This study investigates whether combinations of climate change adaptation strategies are associated with improved yield and smallholder farmers’ welfare, using a random sample of 200 maize producers in Benin. It employs an extended regression model to address the selection bias and endogeneity issues. Furthermore, as a robustness check, a multinomial endogenous switching regression model is also estimated. Results indicate that tree planting and the use of improved variety are the single strategies that increase yield. However, when combined with other strategies, the effects decrease for tree planting while increasing for the use of improved variety. With regard to the welfare equation, the only improved variety is the single strategy that increases food expenditure per capita, and the effect increases when combined with other strategies. Overall, the results reveal that the use of improved variety is the single strategy that increases both yield and smallholder farmers’ welfare, and combined with other strategies, the effect increases. These findings suggest that the adoption of combined adaptation strategies is important for ensuring smallholder farmers’ welfare.

Indigenous Ecological Knowledge and Perceptions of Climate Change on the Environment and Livelihood of Local Communities in Kgalagadi District of Botswana

Extreme climate change causes an immeasurable threat to the livelihood security and prosperity of rural communities, including the natural environment and resources managed by the local people in the Kgalagadi District of Botswana. The study aims to understand the indigenous ecological knowledge of local communities about climate change, its impacts on the environment, and their livelihoods across five villages in the Kgalagadi District of Botswana. The present study used a semi-structured questionnaire survey at the household level who were randomly selected using the village register book. The results indicated that all the respondents in Kang village and some from Lehututu and Tshane villages perceived that the causes of climate change were unknown. However, some respondents across the other four villages believed that climate change is caused by various factors including wildfires, pollution from industries, impacts from livestock, and vehicles, as well as a curse from God. Indigenous knowledge must be well incorporated with scientific methods and up-to-date climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies to envisage more concrete results. This helps to integrate the insight of local people into policies and strategies to make an effort for solutions that are crucial for sustainable development. We suggest that all stakeholders should harmonise the use of indigenous knowledge with climate change strategies, to make the best use of its contribution to the successful execution of climate change policies.

PEACE AND SECURITY, HEALTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Purpose: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is a region that is most affected by both conflict and climate change, with the Sahel, Southern Africa, and East Africa impacted severely. Research has shown climate change is a ‘threat multiplier’ while low state capability and high poverty are core conflict drivers. However, climate change gradually contributes to political, socioeconomic and environmental insecurity and fragility. This study examines perspectives of peace, security and health during climate change in SSA and explores strategic options for the region. Theoretical reference: This study is underpinned by the greenhouse effect, which is a theory of anthropogenic global warming (AGW) supported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Methods: This study was grounded in the postmodernist philosophy, and data was obtained using desktop research methodology. This involved reviewing academic studies and grey literature. Results and conclusion: Conflict prevention measures should ensure that climate change adaptation strategies are effectively implemented because its consequences in the region are now visible. Climate change should not be framed merely as a threat to security but as a security issue, although its role as a threat multiplier must not be trivialised or denied. Some vector-borne diseases sensitive to climate change represent an express cause for health concern, calling for evidence-based solutions. Implications of the research: Climate change has a multiplier effect on conflict and health concerns, which are less understood. Originality/Value: Although climate change does not directly cause conflict and health challenges, this study adds to the policy debate and literature by focusing on the indirect effects of climate change on peace, security and health.

Determining factors and barriers to the uptake of climate change adaptation strategies of agriculture and aquaculture farm households in Myanmar

PurposeClimate change is an undeniable reality that threatens people’s livelihoods. Flooding and saltwater intrusion, along with the rising sea levels, are affecting agricultural and aquaculture livelihoods in Myanmar’s coastal areas. Although climate change adaptation is gaining popularity as a resilience strategy to cope with the negative effects of climate change, both agriculture- and aquaculture-farmers are more often deterred from implementing climate change adaptation strategies due to practical availability and socioeconomic barriers to adaptation. This study aims to evaluate the barriers and factors that influence farm household’ choice of climate change adaptation measures.Design/methodology/approachThis study was conducted with 599 farm households (484 rice-farmers and 115 fish farmers) based in the coastal areas of Myanmar during 2021–2022 to explore the farmer’s choice of climate change adaptation measures and the determining factors. The multinomial logit regression (MLR) model was used to examine the factors influencing the farmers’ choice of climate change adaptation strategies.FindingsThe study found out that farm households use a variety of adaptation methods at the farm level, with building embankment strategy (23.4%) in agriculture and net-fencing measure (33.9%) in fish farming being the most popular adaptation strategies. Farmers’ decisions to adopt climate change adaptation strategies are influenced by factors such as distance to market, education level of the household head, remittance income and the availability of early warning information, among others. The study also discovered that COVID-19 has had an impact on the employment opportunities of household members and the income from farming as well had a consequential effect on the adoption of climate change adaptation measures. Furthermore, lack of credit (42.4%), labor shortage (52.8%), pest and disease infestation (58.9%), high input costs (81%) and lower agricultural product prices (73%) were identified as major barriers to the adoption of climate change adaptation measures by both agriculture and aquaculture farm households.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates that the COVID-19 pandemic and farm-level barriers are the major factors influencing farm households’ choice of climate change adaptation measures, and that removing practical farm-level barriers and encouraging the adoption of adaptation techniques as potential COVID-19 recovery actions are required. This study also highlighted that the adaptive capacity of agriculture and aquaculture farm households should be strengthened through formal and informal training programs, awareness raising, the exchange of early warning information and the development of proper credit scheme programs.

Observations of enhanced rainfall variability in Kenya, East Africa

Understanding local patterns of rainfall variability is of great concern in East Africa, where agricultural productivity is dominantly rainfall dependent. However, East African rainfall climatology is influenced by numerous drivers operating at multiple scales, and local patterns of variability are not adequately understood. Here, we show evidence of substantial variability of local rainfall patterns between 1981 and 2021 at the national and county level in Kenya, East Africa. Results show anomalous patterns of both wetting and drying in both the long and short rainy seasons, with evidence of increased frequency of extreme wet and dry events through time. Observations also indicate that seasonal and intraseasonal variability increased significantly after 2013, coincident with diminished coherence between ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) and rainfall. Increasing frequency and magnitude of rainfall variability suggests increasing need for local-level climate change adaptation strategies.

A Methodology for Vulnerability Assessment of Cultural Heritage in Extreme Climate Changes

Vulnerability evaluation plays a key role in risk assessment and reduction and is essential for defining strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation. In dealing with the safeguarding of cultural heritage at risk, we are still far from adopting and applying an agreed methodology for vulnerability assessment. With the aim to support practitioners, heritage managers, and policy and decision makers to undertake actions that address the protection of cultural heritage at risk, the methodology set up in the framework of the Interreg Central Europe STRENCH is illustrated and discussed here. Based on three major requirements (susceptibility, exposure, and resilience) and a continuous consultation with local stakeholders, the proposed methodology is applicable for evaluating the vulnerability of built heritage and cultural landscape exposed to hydrometeorological hazards, such as heavy rains, floods, and droughts. The results obtained through its validation on 15 case studies from seven Central European regions are shown to underline the strengths and limitations of the methodological approach. Iterative consultation with local stakeholders was fundamental for the definition of the criteria/subcriteria and related values for the assessment of the requirements. Application to further sites in other contexts would surely contribute to strengthening the reliability of the methodological approach.