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  • Agricultural vulnerability and adaptation strategies by farmers to climate change in south-western coastal Bangladesh
    Publication . Ashrafuzzaman, Md.; Gomes, Carla; Cerdà, Artemi; Schmidt, Luísa; Guerra, João
    Agriculture in the south-western coastal region in Bangladesh (SWCRB) has high vulnerability to climate change (CC) owing to its proximity to the rivers and the coast, frequent natural disasters, and sea level rise (SLR) causing intrusion of saline water into agricultural fields. Climate change and SLR have caused an increase in soil salinity in the SWCRB over the years, exerting significant pressure on farming, traditional agriculture and means of living. This study examines the impacts of SLR and climate change on the agricultural land of Shyamnagar Upazila in Satkhira District of the SWCRB. This conceptual framework integrates socio-economic and geophysical factors to understand the vulnerability of farmers to climate change. A mixed-methods approach is used in this study with data analysis (qualitative and quantitative), including close-ended questionnaires, interviews, surveys, focus groups with regional farmers. The survey was conducted among 320 households in Shyamnager Upazila in Satkhira District of Bangladesh to identify current adaptation measures adopted by farmers considering the effects of climate change and associated impacts. Land use change analysis from 1989 to 2019 demonstrated the expansion of water coverage in the region. The study analysed secondary rainfall data available from the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) from 1968 to 2018, showing the changes in the rainfall pattern. Multiple logistic regression (MLR) analysis was employed to understand the interrelationship between adaptive measures used by farmers. It was determined that age, gender, and total income of survey respondents affected the chosen adaptation measures.
  • Local Context of Climate Change Adaptation in the South-Western Coastal Regions of Bangladesh
    Publication . Ashrafuzzaman, Md; Gomes, Carla; Guerra, João
    This study was conducted in 12 unions of the Shyamnagar upazila in Shatkira District, located in the south-western coastal region of Bangladesh (SWCRB). The inhabitants of the SWCRB are affected by different climate-influenced events such as high-intensity cyclones, saltwater intrusion, sea-level rise, and weather pattern-affected agriculture. This study focused on how the local inhabitants are coping with climate change using multilevel adaptation. A mixed approach of data collection, including quantitative and qualitative data, was followed for both primary and secondary sources. Individual level data collection, key informant interviews, close-ended questions, focus groups, life history of SWCRB residents and workshops were used to understand vulnerability and social perceptions at the local level. The findings indicated that multiple adaptation practices are employed by people in SWCRB, such as rainwater harvesting, plantation of different rice varieties, gardening of indigenous vegetables, and pond sand filtering. However, the construction of multipurpose cyclone shelters along with coastal afforestation contribute towards building resilience in the SWRCB from the socio-economic and environmental perspectives. Therefore, this study would help to find the most adequate strategy towards climate change adaptation and sustainability.
  • Understanding climate change policy and action in Portuguese municipalities: A survey
    Publication . Campos, Inês; Guerra, João; Ferreira, José Gomes; Schmidt, Luísa; Alves, Filipe; Vizinho, André; Lopes, Gil Penha
    Robust strategies and action-plans are essential in tackling climate change. Given the local and context-specific nature of climate impacts, the involvement of municipalities is key for effective mitigation and adaptation solutions. Due to its vulnerability and low level of adaptive capacity, Portugal offers insights into adaptation research and practice in Europe. This article hypothesizes that National and European climate change adaptation strategies are not effectively involving municipalities, and are thus losing out on the opportunity to take stock of local responses for climate change mitigation and adaptation. To address this issue, a survey by questionnaire was done to Portuguese municipalities, and data was collected regarding the following: the importance attributed to climate change; the mitigation and adaptation measures planned and implemented; the main drivers, concerns, and triggers promoting climate policy and actions; and access to information and knowledge. 109 valid responses were collected across the country from a universe of 308 municipalities. Results show climate change in planning agendas is still ‘little’ or ‘not important’. There is also a clear difference in the drivers and concerns motivating climate policy, and action between Littoral and Inland regions. Overall, there is a greater focus on mitigation than adaptation. The discussion highlights the need for capacity building, the issue of equity, the role of European networks, and the relevance of cultural differences between Littoral and Inland regions. The conclusion distils the main lessons learned concerning these challenges and needs, the role of transnational networks, and the cultural contexts for building resilience, through adaptation, across Europe.