scholarly journals Sunshine, temperature and wind

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-38
Author(s):  
Dramani J.M. File ◽  
Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Endogenous Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Vulnerability To Climate Change ◽  
Vulnerability Assessments ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Purpose This paper aims to draw on community risk assessment (CRA) for assessing vulnerability to climate change in north-western Ghana, focusing on sunshine, temperature and wind, elements of climate which are seldom explored in vulnerability assessments to climate change. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on data collected from a qualitative research design that used participatory rural appraisal methods, particularly, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and seasonal calendar analysis in three selected rural communities of the Sissala East District. Furthermore, an inter-generational framework was adopted for comparative assessment of vulnerability and changes in vulnerability to climate change. Findings The results show that the current generation of smallholder farmers is more vulnerable to climate change than the past generation, the era of grandparents. Thus, farmers are exposed to higher-intensity sunshine, temperature and wind in contemporary times than was the case in the past. Consequently, their livelihoods are affected the most by the damaging effects of these climatic hazards. The CRA process revealed the relevance of indigenous knowledge systems for vulnerability assessments and at the same time, underpins the need for adaptation of such knowledge if it is to sustain smallholder farmer efforts at climate change adaptation at community levels. Practical implications The paper recommends an endogenous development approach to climate change adaptation planning (CCAP), one that will build on indigenous knowledge systems for effective community education, mobilization and participatory response to climate change. Policy interventions should aim at enhancing climate change adaptation through innovations in soil and water conservation, access to water for irrigation and domestic use, climate smart-housing architecture and agro-forestry within the framework of decentralization and district development planning. Originality/value This paper will contribute to climate change research in two ways: first, by drawing attention to the usefulness of CRA in vulnerability assessment; and second, by focusing on climate elements which are critical for CCAP but rarely given sufficient attention in vulnerability assessments.

Using Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Seasonal Prediction and Adapting to Climate Change Impacts in Bikita District in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
pp. 0972558X2199766
Author(s):  
Owen Mafongoya ◽  
Paramu Leslie Mafongoya ◽  
Maxwell Mudhara
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Seasonal Prediction ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Seasonal Forecasting ◽  
Vulnerability To Climate Change ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Policy Frameworks

The use of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in seasonal forecasting and adaptation to devastating vagaries of climate change has gained attention in academic discourses. The debates opened contrasting views with the first over-romanticizing IKS’ potentials, while the other arguing that it has many setbacks. In this study, we interrogated IKS’ roles in seasonal forecasting and chances of informing adaptation among poorly resourced smallholder farmers in ward 24, Bikita. Using focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and key informant interviews, we identified diverse indigenous indicators and interrogated how they subsequently inform adaptation. We noted that IKS is important in providing seasonal forecasting information, which is critical in making decisions in planning, designing cropping calendars, offering early warnings, as well informing preparedness against disasters. However, we also noted that IKS is under threat from Western education, Christianity, scientific seasonal forecasting (SSF), and climate change. These factors are challenging and reducing IKS’ reliability and hence increasing its susceptibility to disappearance. We concluded that IKS can be resuscitated if included in science education and policy frameworks. We recommended governments to formulate policy frameworks, which allow it to work well with SSF in reducing poorly resourced smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to climate change disasters.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of the Deployment of Indigenous Knowledge Systems towards Climate Change Adaptation in Developing World Contexts: Implications for Climate Change Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4811
Author(s):  
Marcellus Mbah ◽  
Sandra Ajaps ◽  
Petra Molthan-Hill
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Social Adaptation ◽  
Climate Change Education ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Countries in the developing world are increasingly vulnerable to climate change effects and have a lesser capacity to adapt. Consideration can be given to their indigenous knowledge systems for an integrated approach to education, one which is more holistic and applicable to their context. This paper presents a systematic review of the indigenous knowledge systems (IKSs) deployed for climate change adaptation in the developing world and advances implications for climate change education. A set of inclusion criteria was used to screen publications derived from two databases and grey literature searches, and a total of 39 articles constituted the final selection. Postcolonial theory’s lens was applied to the review of the selected publications to highlight indigenous people’s agency, despite IKSs’ marginalization through colonial encounters and the ensuing epistemic violence. The categories of social adaptation, structural adaptation, and institutional adaptation emerged from the IKS-based climate change adaptation strategies described in the articles, with social adaptation being the most recurrent. We discussed how these strategies can be employed to decolonise climate change education through critical, place-based, participatory, and holistic methodologies. The potential outcome of this is a more relatable and effective climate change education in a developing world context.

scholarly journals Adaptation measures to sustain indigenous practices and the use of indigenous knowledge systems to adapt to climate change in Mutoko rural district of Zimbabwe

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shingirai S. Mugambiwa
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Climatic Variability ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Rural District ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Crop Type ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Type Change

This article examines adaptation measures used to sustain indigenous practices and the use of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) to adapt to climate change in Mutoko rural district of Zimbabwe. Community-based adaptation is able to reduce the vulnerability as well as improve the resilience of the local people to climatic variability and change. Subsistence farmers have always adopted adaptive strategies to some of these changes over the years. As such, the adoption of indigenous practices will significantly help rural community members to adapt to climate change. This study employed a qualitative method and an exploratory design, and the results are derived from 30 purposively selected in-depth interviews. The study discovered that there are numerous measures used to adapt to climate change and subsequently to sustain indigenous practices. The study also found that the community no longer grows maize in large quantities, having shifted to millet and sorghum in order to adapt to climate change. The community also provided various strategies to adapt to climate change. These strategies include mulching, creating large storage houses for produce and creating temporary walls on riverbanks in order to store water when the rivers dry up. This study concludes that climate change adaptation measures employed by the community have significantly helped them to sustain their indigenous practices in many ways. Also, the use of IKS, through activities such as crop type change from maize to traditional millet and sorghum (which facilitates traditional lifestyle and activities), re-establishes the community’s indigenous practices since they are made to observe the practices of yesteryear.

The use of indigenous knowledge systems for short and long range rainfall prediction and farmers’ perceptions of science-based seasonal forecasts in Zimbabwe

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet Gwenzi ◽  
Emmanuel Mashonjowa ◽  
Paramu L. Mafongoya ◽  
Donald T. Rwasoka ◽  
Kees Stigter
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Seasonal Forecasts ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rainfall Prediction ◽  
Tree Phenology ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Small Holder Farmers ◽  
Small Holder

Purpose This paper aims to document indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) used for short- and long-range rainfall prediction by small holder farmers in three communities of Guruve District, in north-eastern Zimbabwe. The study also investigated farmers’ perceptions of contemporary forecasts and the reliability of both IKS and contemporary forecasts. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected among small holder farmers in Guruve District using household interviews and focus group discussions in three wards in the district, grouped according to their agro-climate into high and low rainfall areas. To get an expert view of the issues, key informant interviews were held with key agricultural extension personnel and traditional leaders. Findings Results obtained showed show high dependence on IKS-based forecasts in the district. Over 80 per cent of the farmers used at least one form of IKS for short- and long-range forecasting, as they are easily understood and applicable to their local situations. Tree phenology, migration and behaviour of some bird species and insects, and observation of atmospheric phenomena were the common indicators used. Tree phenology was the most common with over 80 per cent of farmers using this indicator. While some respondents (60 per cent) viewed forecasts derived from IKS as more reliable than science-based forecasts, 69 per cent preferred an integration of the two methods. Originality/value The simplicity and location specificity of IKS-based forecasts makes them potentially useful to smallholder farmers, climate scientists and policymakers in tracking change in these areas for more effective climate change response strategies and policymaking.

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