The impact of climate change : its implications and the indigenous adaptation measures for sustainable livelihood in Dikgale Community in Limpopo Province

Abstract

Climate change as a developmental problem warrants extensive research to provide information about its implications on the socio-economic and health conditions of rural communities and the types of local adaptation measures they have developed and used to limit its effects. There is evidence that climate change and its negative impacts are mostly felt by poor and rural communities whose economies are dependent upon favourable climatic conditions. Explanations of climate change and its threats to rural communities are among major challenges faced by scientists. Fewer studies prove that these communities are aware of change in climatic conditions and their impacts on people‘s livelihoods. The present study explored the community‘s perceptions of climate change, its impacts on the livelihoods of the community and the mechanisms developed and used by community members to adapt to the impacts of change in climatic conditions. Interviews with community members revealed that the members of Dikgale community are aware of changes in climatic conditions and how these changes impact on their livelihood. They are aware of increased temperature and erratic rainfall patterns. These changes have impacted negatively on their cultural activities. However, adaptation measures used to cope with the change are the indigenous knowledge systems which are informed by the culture and world-view of the community.