Educating for Change
Advancing Indigenous Ecological Knowledge for Climate Change Adaptation in Developing Nations
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Stephen Chitengi Sakapaji
The current research seeks to investigate, define and advance Indigenous Ecological Knowledge (IEK) for climate change adaptation and mitigation in agriculture in developing countries. IEK is knowledge found in a particular region or cultural setting about its nature which has been passed on from one generation to another. To date there is still a gap in harnessing this valuable knowledge and how it can help developing communities around the globe to adapt, mitigate, build resilience and pave way for development to take root in the face of climate change. The study seeks to examine and advance IEK in selected regions of Southeast Asia and Africa. The main goal of this research is to analyze IEK and Practices of different types of indigenous and local communities of Bangladesh, Nepal, Zambia and Uganda relevant to climate change adaptation (CCA) and resilience-building measures with special emphasis on bridging the gap between this valuable knowledge and scientific knowledge at the local and national level and how these practices can be replicated in other regions with similar climate and ecological systems. This research study will be a comparative cross-cultural study to include different cultural groupings and their indigenous adaptation strategies in Agriculture. Overall, this research study seeks and aims to assist and educate governments, NGOs both local and international specifically in developing nations to be able to formulate and implement policies and programs that incorporate elements of IEK in responding to climate change impacts, adaptive responses and resilience building.
Socio-economic Vulnerability to Flash Flood Disasters in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Andrew A. Obafemi
Natural processes variability has been linked to Climate scenario, just as most coastal cities around the world are increasingly facing impacts of climate change - induced flooding. Thus, the menacing impacts of flash flooding in urban and non urbanized communities in Nigeria comes with evidently discernible dangers to lives and properties, yet preparedness and response which are key drivers of mitigation, resilience and community adaptation to flood disasters are barely in place. This necessitated this study which investigated Socio-economic vulnerability to flash floods and how preparedness planning and response have enhanced or otherwise the strategies for down-scaling the losses to flood disasters. The study adopted survey research design in which vulnerability assessment and Disaster Loss Data Methods were employed in drawing up questionnaire on indicators used, while geospatial techniques were deployed to track, map areas prone to flash floods and analyse the pattern observed. Findings revealed severe flash flood impacts on lives and properties in the locality together with urban farmland and crops lost during the flooding. Health facilities, business activities, schooling as well as some sacred engagements were also disrupted. Sudden flood inundations were found to have displaced many people from their homes, with the elderly and the children in the locality highly affected and most vulnerable. The paper thus calls for a more effective and integrated flood control plan of action to mobilize stakeholders and the Municipal Council Authority to put in place preparedness strategies to flash floods occurrence to mitigate the pain, losses and their associated vulnerabilities.
