kenneth odero: the role of indigenous knowledge in responding to climate change: local-global...
TRANSCRIPT
THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL-, LOCAL- AND INDIGENOUS-KNOWLEDGE IN RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE: LOCAL-GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
Dr. Kenneth Odero, Climate XL
AfricaAdapt Climate Change Symposium9-11 March, Addis Ababa
CONTENT
1. Research problem2. Research objectives3. Approach4. Findings5. Policy implications
RESEARCH PROBLEM (1/2)
Photography: Courtesy of The StandardA B
RESEARCH PROBLEM (2/2)
Source: FEWSNET (2010) "A Climate Trend Analysis of Kenya"
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
1. To review relevant risk management strategies employed by Kenyan communities to prepare for, avoid or moderate, and recover from the effects of exposure to anthropogenic and or negative climate change
2. Draw policy implications.
APPROACH
Case studies and Documentary analyses of:
range management based system in Kibwezi; tree fodder for livestock system and
conservation based agro-forestry system in Embu;
high value tree crops system in the coastal humid zones;
soil fertility based agro-forestry system in Maseno;
species preference among the Olma and Mboni communities of Mpeketoni;
use of indigenous techniques in the management of pests and diseases among the Tugen; and
cattle/animal husbandry practices of the Borana community in northern Kenya.
FINDINGS (1/3) To help cope with the negative impacts of
anthropogenic climate change, communities employ traditional-, local- and indigenous-knowledge (TLIK) based practices.
TLIK includes: gender defined knowledge of indigenous plant and
animal species, especially drought-tolerant and pest-resistant varieties;
water harvesting technologies; water conservation techniques to improve water
retention in fragile soils; food preservation techniques such as fermentation, sun
drying, use of herbal plants, ash, honey, and smoke to ensure food security;
seed selection to avoid the risks of drought;
FINDINGS (2/3) mixed- and or intercropping and diversification; soil conservation through no tillage and other
techniques; use of early warning systems to predict short, medium
and long term climate changes; transhumance to avoid draught and risk loss of
livestock; herd accumulation; use of supplementary feed for livestock; reserving pasture for use by young, sick and lactating
animals in case of drought; disease control in livestock and grain preservation; reserving pasture for use by young, sick and lactating
animals in case of drought; disease control in livestock and grain preservation;
FINDINGS (3/3)
use of indigenous techniques in the management of pests and diseases;
culling of weak livestock for food; and multi-species composition of herds to survive
climate extremes. TLIK is the resource that is most readily
available to smallholder farmers, pastoralists, fishing communities and forest dwellers to deal with the negative impacts of climate change
This gender-based knowledge, which has evolved over the last 10,000 years with the domestication of plants and animals is critical for responding to climate change related risks at the local level.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
1. Adaptation2. Financing → ODA↓ ↔ Africa’s negotiation
position in the UNFCCC3. Technology transfer/technology
development, including IPR issues, green economy, etc
4. Mitigation – by definition TLIK is sustainable and climate smart
5. STI6. Transport, Energy & Housing7. Rural/Agriculture, Land, Water, Forestry8. Gender, Education, Health, etc.