Traditional livelihoods, which are in different societies embedded parts of their cultures, have over time been subjected to different forms of internal and external forces of influence, both human and natural, independently or combined. As culture is not static so are ways of earning a living which may become amendable and susceptible to the agents of change that they are exposed to. Based on this background and hinged on the ecological theory, this paper set out to harness local perspectives on the influence of climate change vis-à-vis resource management on traditional land-based livelihood activities hence resources and what is practiced or perceived as adaptive measures to the changed resource-base setting. The study data was obtained by means of an extensive household survey and key informants’ interviews. The results reveal i) keen local awareness of climate variability and climate change as distinct phenomena; ii) widespread local attribution to climate change of the perceived declines in land-based natural resources, which form a significant part of their livelihoods; iii) widespread local recognition of the role of resource management in the perceived declines in livelihood resources and resource environment; and iv) heavy local dependency on government support. Further, as measures to adapt to climate change as well as to promote sustainability, there is local recognition of the need: i) to diversify livelihood sources, such as into community game ranching; and ii) the need for human capital development to empower people to venture, particularly into non-land based economic activities and lesson dependency on government handouts.

Authors:
Bothepha Mosetlhi, University of Botswana, Botswana

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Bothepha Mosetlhi is a lecturer at the University of Botswana, Department of Environmental Science. Her research includes parks & people; conservation behaviors; resource governance; climate change & livelihood adaptation & rainwater harvesting.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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