Nunatsiavut, ‘Our beautiful land’: Inuit landscape ethnoecology in Labrador, Canada

For Inuit in the subarctic transition zone of northeastern Canada, an intimate knowledge of the environment and local biodiversity is crucial for successful traditional activities. This study examines what kinds of landscape features and habitats Inuit of Nunatsiavut recognize and name. During interviews, community members (mostly Elders) were shown photographs from the region, and were asked to describe and name salient types of places in Labrador Inuttitut. The most frequently reported geographical units dealt with the region’s topography (e.g., ‘mountain’, ‘island’, ‘flat-place’), hydrology (e.g., ‘river’, ‘bay’), and superficial characteristics (e.g., ‘bedrock’, ‘permanent snow patch’). Ecological considerations were also prominent, such as plant associations and animal habitats (e.g., ‘shrubby-place’, wetland’, ‘caribou-return-to-place’). Areas were often characterized by a dominant species or substrate type, being named using the plural form of the species/substrate (e.g., napâttuk ‘tree’/ napâttuit ‘forest’, siugak ‘sand’/siugalak ‘sandy-area’). Some types of places reported by Inuit were significant mainly for traditional activities (e.g., ‘berry-patch’, ‘seal-place’, ‘dry-wood-place’, ‘danger-place’), aiding navigation and resource finding. Integrating Inuit conceptions of ecosystems and their component landscape units with those of contemporary science can improve our understanding of subarctic ecology, benefit climate change adaptation strategies and Inuit language/culture conservation initiatives.

Paesaggi marginali nel paesaggio culturale UNESCO delle Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene Per una topografia della resilienza al cambiamento climatico

This paper begins with a discussion on the potential of the cultural landscape of the Colline del Prosecco to play an experimentative role in climate-resilience, and presents a research project that looks at the marginal areas in this UNESCO Buffer Zone as spaces that could play a decisive role in climate change adaptation strategies. By means of field explorations and meetings with the residents, it has been possible to identify a set of sample areas that model a potential operative topography for local groups and communities to elaborate shared resilient adaptation scenarios.

Ongoing climate crises and obstacles to adaptation: Observations from the Ditsobotla Local Municipality, South Africa

Adaptation is a key component for fostering resilience amongst farmers as they are exposed to the challenges caused by climate change. However, the implementation of adaptation strategies is not equal or easy for most farming communities and are influenced by a diverse range of socio-economic constraints. In this context, the study intended to explore the factors constraining the implementation of climate change adaptation strategies amongst commercial and subsistence farmers of the Local Municipality in the North West province, South Africa. An exploratory sequential mixed method design was used, allowing the utilisation of both qualitative and quantitative methods in a single study. A total of 50 farmers (25 farmers from each group) were identified through purposive homogeneous sampling and were given a questionnaire consisting of semi-structured and structured questions. The study established that some of the most prominent factors constraining adaptation amongst farmers in the Local Municipality are related to their physical environment, lack of market access, financial constraints and limited access to established social networks (such as farmers associations). Identifying barriers to adaptation through area-specific research or studies, such as this particular study, is crucial for the development of holistic climate change adaptation strategies that will allow sustainability in diverse agricultural systems.

Measuring Americans' support for adapting to ‘climate change' or 'extreme weather'

Climate communicators can use the terms climate change or extreme weather to describe climate change adaptation strategies. However, the terms might differentially affect individuals’ support for those strategies. We examined Americans’ (N = 1,558) endorsement of climate change adaptation behaviors and policies based on whether they were described using climate change or extreme weather. Republicans’ endorsement of some adaptation behaviors and policies was lower when using the term climate change compared with extreme weather, but there were no such differences among Independents and those not affiliated with a political party. In contrast, Democrats’ reported willingness to engage in collective adaptation behaviors and support for policies related to protecting natural spaces was higher when using the term climate change. The appropriateness of using climate change or extreme weather is situational depending on both the audience and the behaviors and policies being communicated.

Farmers Utilization of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Across Selected Agro-Ecological Zones in Nigeria

This study examined farmers’ level of use of climate change adaptation strategies across selected agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. Edo and Ondo States were selected for the study with three major agro-ecological zones. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used. The correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between year of education and level of use of adaptation strategies (r = 0.15, P = 0.02). The result of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that significant differences existed in most of the adaptation strategies employed except planting different varieties (F = 1.672, P = 0.190), intercropping (F = 0.646, P = 0.525), crop rotation (F = 2.436, P = 0.090) and migration to different sites (F = 0.661, P = 0.517). The study recommended that the issue of climate change should not be taken lightly by all stakeholders as its effect differs among various agro-ecological zones.