Analysis of climate change knowledge and its implications on livelihood options in Naituyupaki Location, Maasai Mau Forest, Narok County, Kenya

Abstract

Kong’ani LNS, Mutune JM, Thenya T. 2018. Analysis of climate change knowledge and its implications on livelihood options in Naituyupaki Location, Maasai Mau Forest, Narok County, Kenya. Asian J For 2: 62-66. Climate change knowledge among rural forest adjacent communities influences responsive dynamics towards rural livelihood in terms of mitigations and adaptations. Rural households are highly dependent on natural resources, whose base is highly indisputably threatened by the changing climate. Some of the responses towards climate change dynamics exert increased pressure on Maasai Mau forest resources for sustenance. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between forest based livelihood dynamics and climate change knowledge. Results indicate that 93% of the respondents were aware of climate change through life experiences. The cited primary causes of climate change by 72% of the respondents included natural causes (26%), human activities (2%) and punishment from gods respectively. The agricultural production and forest products are the main livelihood activities among the people and these livelihood support activities are, to a large extent, affected by climate change. There is need to continuously expose local community to emerging knowledge on impact of climate change for improved mitigation and adaptations.