Abstract:
This paper proposes a localization mechanism for climate knowledge for effective and sustainable climate change adaptation for Kenyan coastal farmers. The climate observation data is analysed to generate historical climate trends over the Kenyan coast. CORDEX RCA climate model output (driven by 8 GCMs) is used to generate projected climate outlook for the period 2016 to 2045. Socio-economic characteristics of coastal farmers in Kenya as well as historical coping strategies are obtained through semi-structured questionnaire interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). This information is used to evaluate the effectiveness of traditional coping strategies and to propose appropriate and localized adaptation measures in the face of a changing climate. The proposed adaptation measures not only blend scientific and traditional knowledge but also strategically position and coordinate common but differentiated roles of various actors in the area of study. Hence, appropriate and sustainable adaptation to climate change and variability is achieved. |
