CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS AND RESPONSE OPTIONS AMONG RURAL COMMUNITIES: ISSUES AND STRATEGIES (original) (raw)

The earth's climate is always changing. The observed warming is consistent with the expected effects of greenhouse gases emitted through anthropogenic or human activity. Seventy percent of the world's poor people live in rural areas, and rural livelihoods are especially vulnerable to climate change. The impacts of climate change on rural communities are largely negative or adverse. However, some impacts may also be positive. Climate change impacts discussed in this book include those on agriculture and food security, water and sanitation, human health, energy, ecosystems, biodiversity, fisheries and wildlife, and sustainable livelihoods. Negative impacts include decreasing yields in rainfed agriculture due to frequent droughts, rising temperatures and floods. Lower yields lead to reduced food security and incomes and increased cases of malnutrition among smallholder farmers. Malnutrition is a direct cause of stunted physical and intellectual development in children, low productivity in adults, and susceptibility to infectious diseases. Stakeholder participation is an integral component of climate change response strategies. To be effective, policies developed and enacted at higher levels need to be aligned with action taken to address the risks and priorities identified at the local level. At community level, NGOs, local government, businesses, vulnerable groups and the communities themselves need to come together and identify what changes they are vulnerable to, where and who is vulnerable, and what action to take to reduce their vulnerability to climate change. The strong participation of women and youth is especially encouraged, given their active role as community resource managers and practitioners in rural development activities.