Local adaptations to climate extremes in rural Africa: opportunities and barriers

Local adaptations to climate extremes in rural Africa: opportunities and barriers Marisa Goulden, Lars Otto Næss, Katharine Vincent and Neil Adger Living with climate change: are there limits to adaptation? London, February 2008

Study areas Opportunities and barriers to adaptation Adaptation examples Access to adaptations Institutional and policy influence on adaptation Conclusions Overview

Study areas Uganda: Central Uganda, shallow lakes, wetlands and farmland Tanzania: Dodoma Region, dryland landscape: savanna and hill top forests South Africa: Limpopo Province, dryland landscape

Study areas Uganda: Central Uganda, shallow lakes, wetlands and farmland Flooding and drought, lake area and fish catch variability Tanzania: Dodoma Region, dryland landscape: savanna and hill top forests High rainfall variability, droughts, perception of decrease in rainfall South Africa: Limpopo Province, dryland landscape High rainfall variability, floods and droughts

Experience of climate impacts demonstrates many opportunities for adaptations Barriers to adaptation exist where individuals lack accessto assets Institutions and policies influence access to adaptations Opportunities and barriers exist

Adaptations

Access to adaptations

Institutional and policy influence on adaptation

Rural households have experience of adaptations that rely on livelihood diversification, local knowledge and social links Barriers to adaptation occur where people lack access to assets, e.g. labour, skills, social links. Institutions and government policy influence access to adaptations Opportunities for adaptation can be promoted but those households that lack access will be more vulnerable. Conclusions

Local adaptations to climate extremes in rural Africa: opportunities and barriers