Abstract
This paper emanates from a 2019-2022 study which was focused on evaluating nutritional and psychosocial health impacts of selected climate adaptation actions in rural Southern Africa, using the case of Zimbabwean communities in the mid-Zambezi Valley. Whilst various studies have assessed different aspects of adaptation actions in rural Africa, a focus on understanding explicit health outcomes of adaptation actions has not been appreciated. This study sought to close this gap by investigating the nutritional, physical, and emotional health impacts of two main adaptation actions: shifting from predominantly maize farming to drought tolerant crops in main dryland fields; and increased reliance on indigenous knowledge vis-à-vis consumption of wild fruits during drought periods, and the prediction of rainfall and drought patterns using unique meteorological, insect, and atmospheric indicators. The study used a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques, including a household survey, key informant interviews, and stakeholder workshops. Questions in different instruments were informed by generic impact evaluation criteria i.e. effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability.The study found significant positive and negative health impacts associated with the adoption of the two adaptation actions – linked to such aspects as food availability, the consumption of acceptable nutritional health diets, increased/decreased levels of anxiety, becoming easily annoyed or irritable, pride and/or contentment in finding solutions during adversity, and a sense of control over one’s life despite climate challenges. The research advances various recommendations directed at policy makers, non-state actors, and academic researchers vis-à-vis sustaining the positive health impacts and addressing the negative ones.
Presenters
Admire NyamwanzaPrincipal Scientist, Climate Action and Sustainability, Institute of Natural Resources, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Technical, Political, and Social Responses
KEYWORDS
Climate adaptation, Health outcomes, Nutritional impacts, Psychosocial impacts, Southern Africa
