Reducing Vulnerability and Increasing Resiliency to Climate Change: Learning From Rural Communities
Governments and the international development community generally have responded to various aspects of the global climate change crisis, but questions remain about whether the right actions are being pursued, how best to respond, and what the future holds. Though climate change is a global phenomeno...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria
2011-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Agricultural Extension |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://aesonnigeria.org/ajm/index.php/jae/article/view/113 |
| Summary: | Governments and the international development community generally
have responded to various aspects of the global climate change crisis,
but questions remain about whether the right actions are being pursued,
how best to respond, and what the future holds. Though climate change
is a global phenomenon, without doubt, it is not a new phenomenon to
people living in rural communities in the tropics and sub-tropics. In Nigeria
as well as other parts of Africa, rural people and their communities have
over long periods of time built knowledge and developed elaborate
strategies and coping mechanism in response to threats imposed by
various environmental changes including climate change. Despite their
vulnerability and facing greater risks, they have survived and continued to
remain resilient. However, the wealth of knowledge in mitigation and
adaptive strategies, which ensure the quality and sustainability of their
livelihood under changing conditions is yet to be recognized in Nigeria’s
climate change policy formulation and implementation. While the crisis of
climate change calls for an urgent response from national governments
and the international community, debates revolve around the question
and possibility of creating conditions and an economy that permits
equitable and environmentally sustainable development. This paper
highlights the importance of rural people’s contributions as well as
insights into the valuable lessons they have to offer in addressing the
issue of climate change. |
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| ISSN: | 1119-944X 2408-6851 |