Bedo Denbel, Mekuriaw Abate, Bantider Amare
Addis Ababa University, College of Development Studies (Center for Rural Development Studies), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Addis Ababa University, College of Development Studies (Center for Food Security Studies), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Heliyon. 2024 Feb 3;10(3):e25108. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25108. eCollection 2024 Feb 15.
Ethiopia, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, is consistently cited as one of the most vulnerable countries, not only in Sub-Saharan Africa regions but also globally, to climate variability and change. The country's farming households are most vulnerable because of their climate-sensitive livelihoods and limited resources to finance adaptation measures. This study aimed to assess the livelihood vulnerability of communities reliant on a mixed crop-livestock agricultural system and natural resources in the Central Rift Valley sub-basin of Ethiopia to climate variability and change. Structured interviews were used to collect quantitative data from 339 randomly selected households. Livelihood Vulnerability Index was developed to assess the degree of livelihood vulnerability between the two districts. The survey results were supported and substantiated by focus group discussions. The findings show that farm households living in the sub-basin experience different levels of vulnerability to climate variability and change because of their varying adaptive capacities. Considering the aggregate Livelihood Vulnerability Index, Arsi Negele district is considered to be more vulnerable to climate variability and change. The livelihood Vulnerability Index-Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change results also show that Arsi Negele is more vulnerable since its exposure scores exceed its adaptive capacity. Several factors contribute to the weak adaptive capacity of farmers in Arsi Negele. These factors include lesser adoption of agricultural technology, a low level of knowledge and education, insufficient social networks, less diversification of livelihood strategies, and higher socio-demographic vulnerability. In contrast, Adami Tullu Jido Kombolcha district has a higher sensitivity score due to its limited access to potable water, housing, and land ownership. Strategies that minimize households' degree of sensitivity and enhance their adaptive capacity should be promoted. Such strategies should include the adoption of improved agricultural technologies, strengthening awareness and technical capacity, promoting better soil and water management, accessing credit options, and building community networks. Diversifying household income and establishing alternative livelihoods should also be encouraged.
埃塞俄比亚尽管在全球温室气体排放中所占比例极小，但一直被视为最易受影响的国家之一，不仅在撒哈拉以南非洲地区，而且在全球范围内，都极易受到气候多变性和气候变化的影响。该国的农户最为脆弱，因为他们的生计对气候敏感，且用于资助适应措施的资源有限。本研究旨在评估埃塞俄比亚中部裂谷流域依赖混合作物-畜牧农业系统和自然资源的社区在面对气候多变性和气候变化时的生计脆弱性。通过结构化访谈从339个随机选取的家庭收集定量数据。开发了生计脆弱性指数以评估两个地区之间的生计脆弱程度。焦点小组讨论对调查结果提供了支持和佐证。研究结果表明，由于适应能力不同，生活在该流域的农户在面对气候多变性和气候变化时经历了不同程度的脆弱性。考虑到综合生计脆弱性指数，阿尔西内盖勒区被认为更容易受到气候多变性和气候变化的影响。生计脆弱性指数-政府间气候变化专门委员会的结果还表明，阿尔西内盖勒更易受影响，因为其暴露分数超过了其适应能力。有几个因素导致阿尔西内盖勒农民的适应能力较弱。这些因素包括农业技术采用较少、知识和教育水平较低、社会网络不足、生计策略多样化程度较低以及社会人口脆弱性较高。相比之下，阿达米图卢吉多孔博尔查区由于获得饮用水、住房和土地所有权的机会有限，敏感性得分较高。应推广将家庭敏感程度降至最低并增强其适应能力的策略。此类策略应包括采用改良农业技术、加强意识和技术能力、促进更好的土壤和水资源管理、获得信贷选择以及建立社区网络。还应鼓励家庭收入多样化并建立替代生计。
