Measuring adaptive capacity of farmers to climate change and variability: application of a composite index to an agricultural community in the Philippines

Issue Date

12-2014

Abstract

Farming households in the Philippines are most vulnerable to climate change and variability due to their climate/weather-sensitive livelihood and lack of resources to finance adaptation measures. In order to formulate appropriate programs and policies addressing this vulnerability, it is essential to understand their adaptive capacity.

This study analyzed the adaptive capacity to climate change and vulnerability of 520 farming households in Dumangas, a town in central Philippines confronting climate/weather-induced risks. The Objectives were: to determine the levels of adaptive capacity of farming households to climate change, analyze the factors that cause the differences in adaptive capacity and find out whether adaptive capacity translates to adoption.

The level of adaptive capacity of each farming household was determined using a composite index based on previous studies. The index included five indicators namely human resources, physical resources, financial resources, information and diversity. Results showed that variations in adaptive capacity were caused by differences in information resources, physical and financial resources. Farming households that scored low in these three indicators had lower adaptive capacity. It was also found out that despite their level of adaptive capacity, households employed measures to adopt to climate change and variability. Households with higher adaptive capacity however employed more adaptation strategies.

Source or Periodical Title

Journal of Environmental Science and Management

ISSN

0119-1144

Volume

17

Issue

2

Page

48-62

Document Type

Article

College

School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM)

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

tables, maps

Language

English

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