The Perception of and Adaptation to Climate Change in Africa

Maddison, David

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT;    AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS;    AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION;    AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS;    AGRICULTURAL INPUTS;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-4308
RP-ID  :  WPS4308

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

The objective of this paper is todetermine the ability of farmers in Africa to detect climatechange, and to ascertain how they have adapted to whateverclimate change they believe has occurred. The paper alsoasks farmers whether they perceive any barriers toadaptation and attempts to determine the characteristics ofthose farmers who, despite claiming to have witnessedclimate change, have not yet responded to it. The study isbased on a large-scale survey of agriculturalists in 11African countries. The survey reveals that significantnumbers of farmers believe that temperatures have alreadyincreased and that precipitation has declined. Those withthe greatest experience of farming are more likely to noticeclimate change. Further, neighboring farmers tell aconsistent story. There are important differences in thepropensity of farmers living in different locations to adaptand there may be institutional impediments to adaptation insome countries. Although large numbers of farmers perceiveno barriers to adaptation, those that do perceive them tendto cite their poverty and inability to borrow. Few if anyfarmers mentioned lack of appropriate seed, security oftenure, or market accessibility as problems. Those farmerswho perceive climate change but fail to respond may requireparticular incentives or assistance to do what is ultimatelyin their own best interests. Although experienced farmersare more likely to perceive climate change, it is educatedfarmers who are more likely to respond by making at leastone adaptation.