Adaptation and development: Livelihoods and climate change in Subarnabad, Bangladesh

Pouliotte, Jennifer; Smit, Barry; Westerhoff, Lisa

doi:10.3763/cdev.2009.0001

Cited by 169 publications

(122 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…This justifies the earlier policies that supported national growth and agricultural productivity through construction of coastal embankments. However, the benefits of these actions were enjoyed by a small proportion of farmers, increasing the inequalities in wealth at local level (Johnson et al 2016;Pouliotte et al 2009). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential livelihood adaptation to social-ecological change in coastal Bangladesh

2017

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Social-ecological changes, brought about by the rapid growth of the aquaculture industry and the increased occurrence of climatic stressors, have significantly affected the livelihoods of coastal communities in Asian mega-deltas. This paper explores the livelihood adaptation responses of households of different wealth classes, the heterogeneous adaptation opportunities, barriers and limits (OBLs) faced by these households and the dynamic ways in which these factors interact to enhance or impede adaptive capacities. A mixed methods approach was used to collect empirical evidence from two villages in coastal Bangladesh. Findings reveal that households' adaptive capacities largely depend on their wealth status, which not only determine their availability of productive resources, but also empower them to navigate social-ecological change in desirable ways. Households operate within a shared response space, which is shaped by the broader socio-economic and political landscape, as well as their previous decisions that can lock them in to particular pathways. While an adaptive response may be effective for one social group, it may cause negative externalities that can undermine the adaptation options and outcomes of another group. Adaptation OBLs interact in complex ways; the extent to which these OBLs affect different households depend on the specific livelihood activities being considered and the differential values and interests they hold. To ensure more equitable and environmentally sustainable livelihoods in future, policies and programs should aim to expand households' adaptation space by accounting for the heterogeneous needs and complex interdependencies between response processes of different groups.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential livelihood adaptation to social-ecological change in coastal Bangladesh

2017

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“…Sea-level rise and salt water intrusion were, for instance, first felt by farmers in the south-west of Bangladesh, not in terms of complete loss of livelihoods, but in terms of slowly decreasing yields that make it more difficult to sustain a purely agricultural-based life (IOM, 2010;Pouliotte, Smit, & Westerhoff, 2009). Riverbank erosion is a common threat to people living along the major rivers and on the many Char islands (the riverbed sandbars) and regularly forces people to move their homes.…”

Section: Environmentally Induced Migration In Bangladeshmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clouds gather in the sky, but no rain falls. Vulnerability to rainfall variability and food insecurity in Northern Bangladesh and its effects on migration

Etzold

Ahmed

Hassan³

et al. 2013

Climate and Development

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This article presents empirical evidence on changing rainfall patterns in Kurigram district in northern Bangladesh, on the local people's perception of these changes, and on their decision to migrate, or not, in order to cope with rainfall variability and food insecurity. Our study was conducted as one of eight case studies within the 'Where the Rain Falls' Project. Taking on a social vulnerability perspective, we show that migration from the region is not driven by climatic changes, but rather by the existing livelihood and labour migration systems. First, there is a distinct seasonality and thus rainfall dependency of rural livelihoods, which makes the rural population sensitive to changing rainfall patterns. Second, rainfall variability and food security are closely intertwined. Third, the distinct rhythm in the labour migration system is largely structured by seasonal hunger (Monga) in northern Bangladesh and by the demand for agricultural labourers and informal workers at the respective destinations. Fourth, persisting local patterns of social inequality shape both people's condition of food security and their decision to migrate for work or not. We conclude that, instead of climate change, social inequality and food insecurity as well as structural economic differences are the strongest drivers of migration inside Bangladesh.

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“…For historical reasons, much of the literature in the area of climate-related risks (including policy and practice) dwelt on disaster risk management, often with short-term focus on relief efforts and poverty reduction programmes (Blaikie, et al, 1994;Siegel and Alwang, 1999;Brooks, 2003). More recent research moved towards resilience and sustainable livelihoods (IISD, 2003) and mainstreaming adaption to development (Huq, et al, 2004;Pouliotte, 2009). In the case of SSA, it is argued that development and adaptation challenges are inseparable (Hassan, 2010).…”

Section: A Brief History Of Environmental Concerns On Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development Challenges in the Age of Climate Change: The Case of Sidama

Hameso

2014

SSRN Journal

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Today, developing countries face distinctive challenges of development such as to poverty reduction, growth and economic development. The growing concern with climate change presents additional challenges and opportunities to these countries. The paper explores development possibilities/challenges in the age of climate change on the basis of selected review of the literature on mainstreaming climate change to development. The themes under discussion relate to on-going empirical research on vulnerability and adaptions to climate change in Ethiopia, the case of smallholder farmers in Sidama.

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Adaptation and development: Livelihoods and climate change in Subarnabad, Bangladesh

Cited by 169 publications

References 37 publications

Differential livelihood adaptation to social-ecological change in coastal Bangladesh

Differential livelihood adaptation to social-ecological change in coastal Bangladesh

Clouds gather in the sky, but no rain falls. Vulnerability to rainfall variability and food insecurity in Northern Bangladesh and its effects on migration

Development Challenges in the Age of Climate Change: The Case of Sidama

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