Adaptation to Climate Change: Agricultural Ecosystems and Gender Dimensions

Citation
Umoh, G. S. , E. J. Udoh, V. Solomon, G. Edet, C. Uwem, G. Okoro, N. Bassey, O. Akpan & E. Atairet (2013) Adaptation to Climate Change: Agricultural Ecosystems and Gender Dimensions. Xlibris International

PREFACE
In the past couple of decades, climate change and its impacts on developing nations have occupied the attention of Science and Policy Communities. However, while the science community in developed countries is advanced in climate change research, this area of study has only recently started receiving attention in the developing countries. Many such studies tend to focus on only a select and narrow issues in the climate change field. This book is a product of over four years of empirical investigation of several aspects of climate change in the agricultural sector-the mainstay of the economies of most developing countries.

The book draws empirical evidences from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria- a region widely known for its environmental, social and economic complexities. It begins by justifying why climate change investigation in developing countries is necessary, explains the concept of climate change adaptation and provides a framework for analysing climate change adaptation. The book breaks new ground by providing the reader with the tools for developing index of farmers’ Climate Change Knowledge as well as farmers’ vulnerability to climate change. Also discussed are the impacts of climate change and adaptation approaches used by farmers and fishermen. Based on the real life experience of those most affected by climate change in developing countries-farmers and fisherfolks, actions to enhance climate change adaptation are included.

Informed by the personal experiences of the authors, as researchers and practitioners of agriculture, that agricultural practice takes place in different types of agro-ecosystems, the treatment of the subjects in the text is as they apply to upland and wetland farming systems and fishing environment. In addition, the gender dimensions of climate change is given due prominence. The reader will find in this book comprehensive information on climate change, climate vulnerability, and climate change adaptation in the important agro-ecosystems. The book is therefore, recommended for students, teachers, researchers, environmentalists, policy makers, the civil society organizations and International Development Institutions interested in addressing the serious problem of climate change in developing countries in particular and the global level in general.