Local Initiatives and Adaptation to Climate Change A.V. Rojas Blanco

Research Why? Goal: To present examples of how CBO’s and NGO’s face variations in climate and develop their own adaptation strategies towards and awareness of the impacts of climate change.

In-field initiatives “Adaptation projects” include elements that local actors explicitly consider as part of adaptation strategies, since they enhance coping capacities or reduce vulnerability to variations in climate now and in the future.

In field initiatives Increasing resilience through: River basin management strategies: Threats of natural hazards Readjusting land use possibilities to soil type Maintaining vegetation cover Water conservation measures Trenches Underground water tanks Seeds requiring less irrigation

In-field initiatives Agricultural practices: Vegetation cover: less exposure to environmental stresses Cooler/humid microclimates Vegetation litter: less run-off water/erosion Simultaneous/consecutive crops Recuperate traditional production and indigenous vegetation Nurseries

Conclusions Adaptation: responses that strengthen resilience of community livelihoods CBO’s: using their own experiences to develop adaptation strategies LINK scientific knowledge with in-field or traditional knowledge Communicate experiences

Thank you! More information: www.bothends.org For case studies: click on Themes&projects/ Land use/ Local Contributions to the Rio Conventions For full report: click on Services & resources/ Publications/ Comprehensive Environmental Projects Danielle Hirsch dh@bothends.org Annelieke Douma ad@bothends.org Ana Rojas anarojas@orange.nl