Managing Murray–Darling Basin livestock systems in a variable and changing climate: challenges and opportunities

The key biophysical impacts associated with projected climate change in the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) include: declines in pasture productivity, reduced forage quality, livestock heat stress, greater problems with some pests and weeds, more frequent droughts, more intense rainfall events, and greater risks of soil degradation. The most arid and least productive rangelands in the MDB region may be the most severely impacted by climate change, while the more productive eastern and northern grazing lands in the MDB may provide some opportunities for slight increases in production. In order to continue to thrive in the future, livestock industries need to anticipate these changes, prepare for uncertainty, and develop adaptation strategies now. While climate change will have direct effects on livestock, the dominant influences on grazing enterprises in the MDB will be through changes in plant growth and the timing, quantity and quality of forage availability. Climate change will involve a complex mix of responses to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, rising temperatures, changes in rainfall and other weather factors, and broader issues related to how people collectively and individually respond to these changes. Enhancing the ability of individuals to respond to a changing climate will occur through building adaptive capacity. We have, via secondary data, selected from the Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey, built a national composite index of generic adaptive capacity of rural households. This approach expresses adaptive capacity as an emergent property of the diverse forms of human, social, natural, physical and financial capital from which livelihoods are derived. Human capital was rated as ‘high’ across the majority of the MDB compared with the rest of Australia, while social, physical and financial capital were rated as ‘moderate’ to ‘low’. The resultant measure of adaptive capacity, made up of the five capitals, was ‘low’ in the northern and central-west regions of the MDB and higher in the central and eastern parts possibly indicating a greater propensity to adapt to climate change in these regions.

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Smallholder Farmers’ Vulnerability to Impact of Climate Change in Central Bhutan

International Journal of Environment and Climate Change ◽

10.9734/ijecc/2020/v10i1230305 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 286-299

Author(s):

Pema Rinzin ◽

Thubten Sonam ◽

Sangay Tshering ◽

Purna Prasad Chapagai

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Composite Index ◽

Climate Impact ◽

Food Component ◽

Central Regions ◽

Framework Approach ◽

Context Specific ◽

Impacts Of Climate Change

Climate change carries immense threat to the livelihood and food security of smallholder farmers in Bhutan and it is therefore crucial to enhance their adaptive capacity. However, building resiliency to climate impact require information on vulnerability of the system of interest. Therefore, this study assessed smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to impacts of climate change and variability in central regions (Bumthang and Trongsa) of Bhutan. Data was collected from 247 randomly selected households by administering a pre-tested survey questionnaire. Data was analyzed using composite index approach (LVI) and IPCC framework approach (LVI-IPCC). The LVI analysis revealed that Bumthang was more vulnerable in terms of Socio-demographic profile (0.55), social networks (0.45), health (0.31) and natural disasters and climate variability (0.47) compared to Trongsa. Whereas, Trongsa was more vulnerable in terms of livelihood strategies (0.31) and water (0.13). Vulnerability score on the food component was same for both the districts (0.27). Overall, Bumthang was more vulnerable compared to Trongsa on both LVI (Bumthang: 0.36, Trongsa: 0.34) and LVI-IPCC (Bumthang: 0.24, Trongsa: 0.13) analysis. The findings could be used for designing micro-level context specific interventions to enhance smallholder farmers’ adaptive capacity to impacts of climate change in central Bhutan.

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Perception of Climate Change and the Adaptation Strategies and Capacities of the Rice Farmers in Kedah, Malaysia

Environment and Urbanization Asia ◽

10.1177/0975425318822338 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 99-115 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Rulia Akhtar ◽

Muhammad Mehedi Masud ◽

Rafia Afroz

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Rice Production ◽

Adaptation Strategies ◽

Government Support ◽

Extension Services ◽

Rice Farmers ◽

Changing Climate ◽

Government Aid ◽

Available Information

This article attempts to understand the perception of the rice-growing farmers on the issue of climate change (CC) and identify their adaptive capacity (AC). A survey was conducted through structured questionnaires to understand farmers’ perception and adaptation strategies in response to changing climate and variability. The findings indicate that farmers are moderately adaptive to CC in the study area. The result also revealed that the main barriers are lack of funds and government support available information to CC. Farmers with higher AC can produce greater amount of rice. Rice producers should be enabled through improved extension services, government aid, such as grants, training for better level of adaptability, to help them achieve higher rice production.

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MICROFINANCE AND CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS: THE CASE OF AGROAMIGO IN BRAZIL

Revista de Administração de Empresas ◽

10.1590/s0034-759020150404 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 55 (4) ◽

pp. 397-407 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

RAFAEL MAGNUS BARBOSA MOSER ◽

LAURO GONZALEZ

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Change Initiatives ◽

Changing Climate ◽

Empirical Contribution

ABSTRACTThis paper reports an empirical case study on the interface between microfinance and climate change actions. Climate change, which until recently seemed a luxury for the microfinance sector, now appears to be crucial for its future. For their low adaptive capacity, the millions of microfinance clients worldwide happen to be the most vulnerable to a changing climate. However, such an arena is still blurred from an academic viewpoint, and inexistent among Brazilian academia. Therefore, by investigating Brazil’s largest rural MFI, Agroamigo, we aim at providing an empirical contribution to green microfinance. The main conclusion is that, albeit Agroamigo offers important links to climate change initiatives, it will need to take better account of specific vulnerabilities and risks to protect its portfolio and clients better from climate change impacts.

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Communities’ Livelihood Vulnerability to Climate Variability in Ethiopia

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11226302 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (22) ◽

pp. 6302 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Misganaw Teshager Abeje ◽

Atsushi Tsunekawa ◽

Nigussie Haregeweyn ◽

Zerihun Nigussie ◽

Enyew Adgo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Variability ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Policy Development ◽

Composite Index ◽

Household Survey ◽

Kendall Test ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

Relative Difference ◽

Sustainable Livelihood

Ethiopia has experienced more than 10 major drought episodes since the 1970s. Evidence has shown that climate change exacerbates the situation and presents a daunting challenge to predominantly rain-fed agricultural livelihoods. The aim of this study was to analyze the extent and sources of smallholder famers’ livelihood vulnerability to climate change/variability in the Upper Blue Nile basin. We conducted a household survey (n = 391) across three distinct agroecological communities and a formative composite index of livelihood vulnerability (LVI) was constructed. The Mann–Kendall test and the standard precipitation index (SPI) were employed to analyze trends of rainfall, temperature, and drought prevalence for the period from 1982 to 2016. The communities across watersheds showed a relative difference in the overall livelihood vulnerability index. Aba Gerima (midland) was found to be more vulnerable, with a score of 0.37, while Guder (highland) had a relatively lower LVI with a 0.34 index score. Given similar exposure to climate variability and drought episodes, communities’ livelihood vulnerability was mainly attributed to their low adaptive capacity and higher sensitivity indicators. Adaptive capacity was largely constrained by a lack of participation in community-based organizations and a lack of income diversification. This study will have practical implications for policy development in heterogeneous agroecological regions for sustainable livelihood development and climate change adaptation programs.

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How Do the Cultural Dimensions of Climate Shape Our Understanding of Climate Change?

Climate ◽

10.3390/cli9040063 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 63

Author(s):

Jason Alexandra

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Multiple Scales ◽

Cultural Dimensions ◽

Natural Hybrid ◽

Cultural Challenges ◽

Changing Climate ◽

Hybrid Nature ◽

Murray Darling Basin ◽

The Social

Climatic events express the dynamics of the Earth’s oceans and atmosphere, but are profoundly personal and social in their impacts, representation and comprehension. This paper explores how knowledge of the climate has multiple scales and dimensions that intersect in our experience of the climate. The climate is objective and subjective, scientific and cultural, local and global, and personal and political. These divergent dimensions of the climate frame the philosophical and cultural challenges of a dynamic climate. Drawing on research into the adaptation in Australia’s Murray Darling Basin, this paper outlines the significance of understanding the cultural dimensions of the changing climate. This paper argues for greater recognition of the ways in which cultures co-create the climate and, therefore, that the climate needs to be recognised as a socio-natural hybrid. Given the climate’s hybrid nature, research should aim to integrate our understanding of the social and the natural dimensions of our relationships to a changing climate.

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Livelihood Vulnerability of Fishery-based Communities in Context of Climate Change: Insights From and Around Selective Fishing Grounds of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal

Journal of Geography Environment and Earth Science International ◽

10.9734/jgeesi/2019/v20i130094 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Aparupa Sinha ◽

Anupam Das

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Variability ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Quantitative Information ◽

Primary Data ◽

Fishing Communities ◽

Intergovernmental Panel ◽

Recent Climate

The 4th Assessment Reports prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007 reported serious concerns which directly affect the livelihoods of millions of coastal habitants and fishing communities. This study mainly concentrates on the awareness regarding the climate variability and vulnerability exposed by climate change on the marine fishing communities based on their Socio-Demographic Profile, Livelihood strategies, Social Networks, Health, Water, Natural disasters and Climate Variability and Knowledge and Skills; which are divided into three main components of vulnerability (IPCC): Exposure, Sensitivity and Adaptive Capacity. Here, we have chosen the three major functioning fishing harbours of this district are Lakshmipur Abad of Namkhana, Kalinagar of Kakdwip and Sultanpur of Diamond Harbour with their respective fish landing centers. The primary data used is based on a purposive sampling survey of 150 household of fishing communities and the secondary data about recent climate variability and extreme events was collected from official records. This study used the participatory tools and methods in order to generate qualitative and quantitative information about climate change impacts and community based adaptation strategies to climate change. The study reveals that the most important climate-related elements of exposure are the storms and cyclones. We have also found that studied villages are highly populated and competing for limited resources, furthermore lack of economic opportunities like agriculture in coastal areas making these communities already vulnerable along within higher sensitivity and lower adaptive capacity combine to create higher vulnerability.

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CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY AND RESPONSES OF FISHERFOLK COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTH-EASTERN COAST OF BANGLADESH

Water Conservation and Management ◽

10.26480/wcm.01.2020.20.31 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 20-31

Author(s):

Prabal Barua ◽

Syed Hafizur Rahman ◽

Suman Barua ◽

Ismail M.M. Rahman

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Traditional Knowledge ◽

Composite Index ◽

Environmental Stresses ◽

Eastern Coast ◽

The South ◽

South Eastern ◽

Index Approach ◽

Household Heads

Climate change is an ongoing threat across the earth–especially those who depend on fishing. This study aims to understand how fishery-dependent communities in the South-Eastern coast of Bangladesh build resilience against environmental stresses, and in what ways their strategies sometimes fail. A composite index approach has been used to calculate livelihood vulnerability. Results reveal that exposure to floods and cyclones, sensitivity and lack of adaptive capacity concerning physical, natural, and financial capital and diverse livelihood strategies construe livelihood vulnerability in different ways depending on the context. The study reveals that over the last ten years, 20% household heads have changed their fishing profession, where dependency to non-fisheries livelihoods such as rickshaw pooling and small business is growing in the studied fishing villages. However, many of them are applying their traditional knowledge to cope with the changing climate stress and in conserving the biodiversity of the coast. In order to strengthen adaptive capacity and to build resilience, government and the external agencies need to facilitate the existing traditional knowledge and systems with which the fishermen communities have been historically responding to the environmental stresses.

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ANALISIS KERENTANAN PERIKANAN TANGKAP AKIBAT PERUBAHAN IKLIM PADA SKALA PROVINSI (Province Scaled Fisheries Vulnerability on Climate Change)

Marine Fisheries Journal of Marine Fisheries Technology and Management ◽

10.29244/jmf.8.2.223-233 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 223

Author(s):

Allasay Kitsash Addifisyuka Cintra ◽

Isdradjad Setyobudiandi ◽

Achmad Fahrudin

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Composite Index ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

Medium Term ◽

Short Term ◽

High Exposure ◽

Purposive Sampling

ABSTRACTFisheries has significant roles for the Indonesian economy. Climate change influences Indonesian fisheries through a range of direct and indirect pathaway. A scientific based approach such as vulnerability is needed to determine the risks of climate change and adaptation strategies. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the vulnerability of fisheries to climate change on province scaled in Indonesia. Vulnerability index (VI) is obtained with composite index of exposure (EI), sensitivity (SI) and adaptive capacity (ACI) of ten provinces representing the eastern and western parts of Indonesia by using purposive sampling method. Source of data for indices variables were using recorded datas from relevant institutions. The results showed that fisheries status of North Sulawesi (VI = 0,78), Central Sulawesi (VI = 0,72) and Gorontalo (VI = 0,61) were very vulnerable despite the composition of constituent vulnerability index was different. This difference determined the specific policies to be taken to each province to reduce vulnerability. Short term policies are taken to reduce the vulnerability of the most vulnerable areas on Sulawesi Utara, Sulawesi Tengah, and Gorontalo. Medium term policy is carried out in high sensitivity areas, namely Kepulauan Riau, Sulawesi Utara, and Kalimantan Timur and in low adaptive capacity areas such as Jambi, Gorontalo and Bangka Belitung. Long term policy is conducted for areas with high exposure such as Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Utara and Kalimantan Timur.Keywords: Climate change, fisheries, vulnerability, province ABSTRAKPerikanan tangkap memiliki peranan penting bagi perekonomian Indonesia. Adanya perubahan iklim akan berdampak merugikan secara langsung maupun tidak langsung pada perikanan tangkap Indonesia. Suatu pendekatan ilmiah diperlukan untuk menentukan risiko perubahan iklim dan strategi adaptasi perikanan tangkap, salah satunya adalah analisis kerentanan (Vulnerability). Oleh karena itu penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menganalisis kerentanan perikanan tangkap akibat perubahan iklim pada skala provinsi di Indonesia. Indeks kerentanan (VI) didapatkan dengan mengkompositkan indeks keterpaparan (EI), kepekaan (SI) dan kapasitas adaptif (ACI) dari sepuluh provinsi yang mewakili bagian timur dan barat Indonesia dengan metode purposive sampling. Sumber variabel penyusun indeks variabel menggunakaan rekaman data dari instansi terkait. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa provinsi Sulawesi Utara (VI=0,78), Sulawesi Tengah (VI=0,72) dan Gorontalo (VI=0,61) berstatus sangat rentan walaupun komposisi penyusun indeks kerentanannya tidak sama. Perbedaan ini menentukan bahwa jenis kebijakan yang diambil menjadi spesifik pada tiap provinsi untuk mengurangi kerentanan. Short term policy diambil untuk mengurangi dapak di daerah yang paling rentan yaitu Sulawesi Utara, Sulawesi Tengah, dan Gorontalo. Medium term policy dilakukan pada daerah yang kepekaannya tinggi yaitu Kepulauan Riau, Sulawesi Utara, dan Kalimantan Timur dan kapasitas adaptifnya rendah yaitu Jambi, Gorontalo dan Bangka Belitung. Long term policy dilakukan untuk daerah yang keterpaparannya tinggi yaitu Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Utara dan Kalimantan Timur.Kata kunci: perubahan iklim, perikanan tangkap, kerentanan, provinsi

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Green microfinance: the case of the Cresol System in Southern Brazil

Revista de Administração Pública ◽

10.1590/0034-7612134039 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 1039-1058 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Lauro Gonzalez ◽

Rafael Magnus Barbosa Moser

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Previous Analysis ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Changing Climate ◽

Potential Source ◽

The Future ◽

Do So

Climate change which until recently seemed a luxury for the microfinance sector, now appears to be crucial for the future of the sector. Due to their low adaptive capacity, the millions of MF clients worldwide happen to be the most vulnerable to a changing climate. Adapting previous analysis conducted in Nepal and Bangladesh by Agrawala and Maëlis (2010) to the Brazilian context, in this inductive qualitative study we aim to assess potential synergies between MF and CC actions and what strategies can be harnessed to better respond to CC vulnerabilities at client/MF level. To do so, we investigated the case of the second largest rural microcredit programme in Brazil, Sistema Cresol de Cooperativas de Crédito Rural com Interação Solidária. Albeit important overlaps between Cresol's product envelope and CC strategies exist, there is still room to realise synergies to both mitigate a new potential source of risk to Cresol's portfolio and to increase clients' adaptive capacity.

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Economic Valuation of Nontimber Forest Products under the Changing Climate in Kilombero District, Tanzania

International Journal of Forestry Research ◽

10.1155/2016/7893143 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Chelestino Balama ◽

Suzana Augustino ◽

Danford Mwaiteleke ◽

Leopord P. Lusambo ◽

Fortunatus B. S. Makonda

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Economic Value ◽

Forest Products ◽

Nontimber Forest Products ◽

Household Level ◽

Changing Climate ◽

Management Regime ◽

The Mean

Sustainable collection of Nontimber Forest Products (NTFPs) for trade is an appropriate measure to increase people’s adaptive capacity against adverse effects of climate change. However, information on the economic value for NTFPs for subsistence use and trade under the changing climate is inadequate, particularly in households around Iyondo Forest Reserve (IFR), in Kilombero District, Tanzania. The study identified and quantified NTFPs used for subsistence and trade, estimated its economic value, and examined factors influencing supply of NTFPs at household level. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussions, key informant interviews, questionnaire survey of 208 sample households, and spot market analysis to randomly selected NTFPs collectors, sellers, and buyers. The study identified 12 NTFPs used for subsistence and trade, which was evaluated in terms of the mean annual value per household. The mean annual value of the identified NTFPs ranged from TZS 4700 to 886 600. The estimated economic value of the studied NTFPs was TZS 51.4 billion (USD 36 million). The supply of NTFPs at household level was influenced by distance to the forest, change in forest management regime, seasonality, and change in rainfall pattern. NTFPs around IFR have high economic value which portrays the potential of developing them to enhance households’ adaptive capacity against climate change adverse effects.

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