Local Peoples’ Perception on Climate Change, Iis Impact and Adaptation Measures in Simada Wereda of South Gondar
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2011-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Climate change is causing the greatest environmental, social and economic threats to all of mankind and across borders in many nations. Perception about the cause, impacts and necessary response mechanisms to cope with climate calamities is important for any population in a given community. In view of this fact therefore, this study assesses local peoples’ perception of climate variability and change, focusing mainly on insight of the local people on climate variability and change, its impact, their responses and barriers of responses.
The study was conducted in three kebeles of Simada wereda found in South Gondar, Amara Region, as one of the drought-prone area in the country. It relied on both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. The primary data were collected by using data gathering tools such as FGDs, interviews, observation and household survey. The study also used historically recorded rainfall and temperature data from 1987 to 2009 to examine the trend of local climate variability and change. A time series analysis was used to show trend of temperature and rainfall. The researcher used Coefficient of variation and percent of deviation to discern rainfall variability.
The finding of the study showed that both maximum and minimum temperature had increased, belg rainfall had decreased whereas annual and meher rainfall had increased and showed inter annual and seasonal variation. Local people perceived climate variability and change-induced hazards such as drought, flood, pests and disease, land slide, erratic and heavy rainfall affects the environment and their livelihood. For the perceived changes, local people took remedial action to counteract the impacts of climate change. The most common adaptation options include: reforestation, terracing, rain water harvest, change in cropping pattern, growing short maturing crops, family planning and diversification of income. However, poverty, water scarcity, land scarcity, market problem, lack of information about the weather or long-term climate change, forage and feed scarcity, lack of agricultural technologies and appropriate seed and lack of health service were major constraints of adaptation for many people in the study area. Thus, the study recommends a relentless need to address these challenges by the concerned body.
Key words: Climate variability and change; Perception; Adaptation
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Keywords
Climate Variability and Change, Perception, Adaptation