Understanding Climate Change Adaptation: Lessons from Community-Based Approaches

by Jonathan Ensor

Overview

Poor people living in regions affected by fluctuating temperatures and rainfall, sea level rise, flooding and drought bear the brunt of climate change. These communities have no choice but to continue to use the resources at their disposal to adapt and survive. Yet in order to adapt people need to appreciate that potentially profound changes are in store and that future impacts are deeply uncertain.

Understanding Adaptation to Climate Change addresses these issues and provides responses to important questions for the international aid community as it seeks to address the impact of climate change. How can agencies assist local communities adapting to change? By what mechanisms can communities make the most of emerging information? Can effective community-based approaches be scaled up?

By combining eight case studies from South Asia, Africa and Latin America with an overall analytical framework the authors demonstrate that although communities' adaptation strategies vary and depend upon local context, social networks play a pivotal role in accessing useful knowledge and resources. Through such networks, the key activities of reducing vulnerability, fostering resilience, and developing the capacity to experiment and learn are combined and communicated to other communities.

This book is essential reading for NGO practitioners, students, and government and NGO policy makers who wish to gain an understanding of what adaptation means in theory and practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	2901853396839
Publisher:	Practical Action Publishing
Publication date:	04/28/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

Jonathan Ensor is a Researcher for Practical Action working on the relationship between climate change and international development.

Rachel Berger is a climate change Policy Advisor with Practical Action.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Acknowledgements ix

1 Introduction: understanding community-based adaptation 1

Abstract 1

The development challenge 1

The international context 4

Climate predictions: understanding uncertainty 6

Vulnerability and adaptation 13

Adaptive capacity and resilience 17

Knowledge, vulnerability and adaptation: a coherent approach 26

Culture, communities and adaptation practice 33

Structure of the book 36

2 Erosion and flooding in northern Bangladesh 39

Abstract 39

Introduction 39

Community-based adaptation in the northern charlands 41

Lessons and challenges 49

Conclusion 52

3 Changing seasons and flash flooding in the foothills of the Nepal Himalaya 55

Abstract 55

Introduction 55

Community-based adaptation in the middle hill region of Nepal (Chitwan District) 58

Lessons and challenges 66

Conclusion 68

4 Desert and floodplain adaptation in Pakistan 71

Abstract 71

Introduction 71

Community-based adaptation in rural Pakistan 73

Lessons and challenges 82

Conclusion 85

5 Increasing paddy salinity in coastal Sri Lanka 87

Abstract 87

Introduction 87

Community-based adaptation in coastal communities 89

Lessons and challenges 97

Conclusion 98

6 Increasing drought in arid and semi-arid Kenya 101

Abstract 101

Introduction 101

Community-based adaptation in arid and semi-arid areas 103

Lessons and challenges 111

Conclusion 113

7 Multiple pressures on pastoralism in semi-arid Niger 115

Abstract 115

Introduction 115

Community-based adaptation among the Tamasheq 117

Lessons and challenges 124

Conclusion 129

8 Declining water resources in Sudan's Red Sea coastal belt 131

Abstract131

Introduction 131

Adapting to drought in Arba'at 134

Lessons and challenges 139

Conclusion 143

9 Extreme weather in the Peruvian high Andes 147

Abstract 147

Introduction 147

Community-based adaptation in Andean Peru 149

Lessons and challenges 159

Conclusion 161

10 Conclusion: community-based adaptation in practice 163

Abstract 163

The elements of adaptation 163

Scaling up community-based adaptation 172

References 179

Index 185

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

‘This important book demonstrates that people are in the frontline of climate change around the world but are not simply passive victims – community-based adaptation is where the action is. It shows how engaged scholarship can both describe and harness the power of communities to face the challenge of climate change for generations to come. The work is a thoughtful and brilliant application of theory and practice in this crucial development arena.’ Neil Adger, Professor, School of Environmental Sciences, Universityof East Anglia and Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research ‘This book is a very timely attempt to analyse what adaptation actually looks like in practice and to set it in the context of climate change analysis and community dynamics.’ Richard Ewbank, Climate Change Programme Coordinator, Christian Aid, UK ‘This book provides some excellent early learning from a number of case examples from different developing countries and will help those trying to understand and carry out community-based adaptation to climate change.’ Saleemul Huq, Senior Fellow, Climate Change, International Institute for Environment and Development

Editorial Reviews

Understanding Adaptation to Climate Change provides some excellent early learning and will help those trying to carry out community-based adaptation to climate change.

Saleemul Huq

This book is a very timely attempt to analyse what adaptation actually looks like in practice and to set it in the context of climate change analysis and community dynamics.

Richard Ewbank

This book is a thoughtful and brilliant application of theory and practice in this crucial development arena.

Neil Adger

"recommended"

Choice

"recommended"

“This book is a thoughtful and brilliant application of theory and practice in this crucial development arena.”

“Understanding Adaptation to Climate Change provides some excellent early learning and will help those trying to carry out community-based adaptation to climate change.”

“This book is a very timely attempt to analyse what adaptation actually looks like in practice and to set it in the context of climate change analysis and community dynamics.

From the Publisher