▶ Addresses a wide range of timely environment, economic and energy topics ▶ A forum to review, analyze and stimulate the development, testing and implementation of mitigation and adaptation strategies at regional, national and global scales ▶ Contributes to real-time policy analysis and development as national and international policies and agreements are discussed and promulgated ▶ 94% of authors who answered a survey reported that they would definitely publish or probably publish in the journal again

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change

The Articulated Peasant: Household Economies in the Andes

Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature and CLimate Change

In the United States, climate change is likely to increase average daily temperatures and the frequency of heat waves, which can reduce meat and milk production in animals. Methods that livestock producers use to mitigate thermal stress—including modifications to animal management or housing—tend to increase production costs and capital expenditures. Dairy cows are particularly sensitive to heat stress, and the dairy sector has been estimated to bear over half of the costs of current heat stress to the livestock industry. In this report, we use operation-level economic data coupled with finely scaled climate data to estimate how the local thermal environment affects U.S. dairies’ effectiveness at producing outputs with a given level of inputs. We use this information to estimate the potential decline in milk production in 2030 resulting from climate change-induced heat stress. For four climate model scenarios, the results indicate modest heat stress-related production declines over the next 20 years, with the largest declines occurring in the South.

Climate Change, Heat Stress, and U.S. Dairy Production

Projections of temperature and precipitation patterns across the United States during the next 50 years anticipate a 1.5 to 2°C warming and a slight increase in precipitation as a result of global climate change. There have been relatively few studies of climate change impacts on pasture and rangeland (grazingland) species compared to those on crop species, despite the economic and ecological importance of the former. Here we review the literature on pastureland and rangeland species to rising CO2 and climate change (temperature, and precipitation) and discuss plant and management factors likely to influence pastureland and rangeland responses to change (e.g., community composition, plant competition, perennial growth habit, seasonal productivity, and management methods). Overall, the response of pasture species to increased [CO2] is consistent with the general response of C3 and C4 type vegetation, although significant exceptions exist. Both pastureland and rangeland species should exhibit an acceleration of metabolism and development due to earlier onset of spring green-up and longer growing seasons. However, in the studies reviewed here, C3 pasture species increased their photosynthetic rates by up to 40% while C4 species exhibited no increase in photosynthesis. In general, it is expected that increases in [CO2] and precipitation would enhance rangelandmore » net primary production (NPP) while increased air temperatures would either increase or decrease NPP. Much of this uncertainty in response is due to uncertain future projections of precipitation, both globally and regionally. For example, if annual precipitation changes little or declines, rangeland plant response to warming temperatures and rising [CO2] may be neutral or may decline due to increased water stress. This review reveals the need for comprehensive studies of climate change impacts on the pasture ecosystem including grazing regimes, mutualistic relationships (e.g., plant roots-nematodes; N-fixing organisms), as well as the ecosystem carbon balance, essential nutrients, and water.« less

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Climate Impacts on Agriculture: Implicationsfor Forage and Rangeland Production

Climate variability is an emerging phenomenon that is threatening dairy farming globally. The dairy-climate change dilemma in Kenya cannot be mistaken. However, extensive research into dairy farming and an understanding of the dynamics of climate variability effects is greatly lacking.The study investigated the effects of climate variability on dairy farming in Masaba North Sub-county of Nyamira County, Kenya. The main objective was to determine the effects of climate variability on dairy production in the study area. During the study two sampling techniques were used; purposive and systematic sampling that captured key informants and household information respectively with a targeted sample size of 100 respondents. Further, the findings obtained were analyzed through Statistical Package of Social Sciences and Excel. Data was presented in tables, graphs and pie charts. From the results, a hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square (X) The null hypothesis on effect of milk production was accepted where, (X = 0.087, DF =2, P = 0.001). At least 93% of dairy farmers had basic primary education during the study. The farmers’ perceptions on climate variability were set on the Likert scale to determine their magnitudes through total weights. The findings showed that temperature had rose by at least +0.5 C in the past 35 years with anomalies of rainfall across the years indicating variability effect in the area. Heat stress affected animal performance with 67% dairy farmers’ views hypothetically accepted. 89% of respondents stated that seasons had changed and were unpredictable. From the study, 42% of farmers used crossbreeding to improve animal performance a way of mitigating climate change. The integral recommendations were; improve dairy cattle performance through adoption of modern livestock techniques, growing of fast vegetating fodder crops and harnessing immediate farmers’ education to mitigate climate variability effects.

Farmers’ Perceptions on the Effects of Climate Variability on Dairy Farming in Masaba North, Nyamira County, Kenya

Soil erosion is a serious environmental and natural resource issue in Ethiopia, posing a significant threat to agricultural productivity and being one of the principal drivers of land degradation and soil fertility reduction. Evaluating the biophysical soil and water conservation structures’ effectiveness in Offa Woreda, Wolaita Zone, was the focus of the study. Purposive sampling was used to select the three kebeles that make up this watershed. W/Dekeya, Wareza, and Yakima are the three watersheds chosen for the selected study area. To meet the objective of this study, 504, 325, and 442 family heads were sampled. They comprised the overall 17% (227) of the study participants that were selected. Those who knew how to conserve soil and water, causes of degradation, and sensitive areas of their own plots of land in the study area received preference. The lack of capital, a short stretch of land, and various socioeconomic and physical conditions impeded the use of soil and water conservation systems. As a result, farmers have a reasonable position of the current biophysical soil and water conservation systems. Farmers in the study communities are aware of some traditional soil and water conservation practices as a measure to protect and restore the fertility and productivity of their farmlands. Community participation in encouraging farmers to participate in soil and water conservation practices is critical to resolving the issue of cutting-edge poverty, food insecurity, and environmental deterioration. From the study, we recommend that the government implements specific coverage and techniques as well as corrective intervention from nongovernmental organizations.

Assessment of the Effectiveness of Biophysical Soil and Water Conservation Structures: A Case Study of Offa Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

Climate change threatens the livelihoods of millions of small-scale farmers in East Africa How farmers perceive climate change and its impacts has a strong bearing on how they adapt to the adverse impacts This paper focused on factors that determine climate change adaptation and perceptions among small-scale farmers of Embu County A survey was carried out across five sub-counties of Embu County where a multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 411 households A questionnaire was administered to each household A total of five FGDs were generated by the use of quota sampling The data obtained from the FGDs were thematically analyzed while that from each household was subjected to both descriptive statistics and Heckman's probit model The results showed 96% of the respondents observed unreliable seasonal rainfall amount, distribution, and increased temperatures For instance, 23% interviewed were aware of the long-term change in temperature while 55% were aware of a change in the amount of rainfall per season These respondents identified crop failure and the decline in crop yields as indicators of climate change The farmers’ perceptions were corroborated by the long-term rainfall and temperature of Mann-Kendall trends analysis, which showed a negative rainfall correlation and temperatures increased by 002°C for Kiambere and 003°C for Embu stations Gender was significant at p<01 in influencing farmers' perception of climate change while education level and social networks were statistically significant at p<005 Furthermore, Heckman's selectivity probit model showed that the education level of the household head and access to a credit facility influenced small-scale farmers' adaptation choices There is a need to strengthen the capacities of farmers through training, provision of extension services, and formulation of a climate advisory committee within the county government to breakdown climate change information into user-friendly

	 

	Key words: Heckman model, climate variability

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Determinants of climate change adaptation and perceptions among small-scale farmers of Embu County, Eastern Kenya

World Economy today depends on business investments that are propelled by Green technology, innovations and entrepreneurial activities. In recent years, developing economies in Asia, Africa and Latin America have embarked on easy capital access to Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to facilitate their economic growth. Kenya is among the Middle Level Income Countries that have gained global recognition through entrepreneurial innovations. In this study we assess the role of entrepreneurship towards poverty alleviation in Kenya. The objectives of the study were: to evaluate the role of entrepreneurship in poverty alleviation in Kenya; to identify entrepreneurship innovations and their economic contribution in Kenya and to determine the significance of entrepreneurship to Kenyan economy. Methodology of study took a parametric approach through pure desktop studies on entrepreneurship cases in Kenya. Success case studies of entrepreneurial innovations like M-pesa, M-soko and Uwezo Fund initiatives were assessed. The paper notes that activities undertaken in each of these case studies have made great contributions to poverty alleviation and economic development in both urban and rural areas of Kenya.

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Green Innovation Enterprises and Environmental Entrepreneurship for Poverty Alleviation in Kenya

The world population in global south countries is increasing. This fast growth has heightened urban ecological footprint that contributes to anthropogenic forcing triggering of the climate system. From this study, climate variability trend dynamics in Mombasa County, a coastal urban area in Kenya was examined. A retrospective study was done (1989-2019) to determine the changes in temperature and rainfall in the area of study. The results show that climate variability was experienced in Mombasa with a maximum temperature t=-5.628, df=23, P:0.000 and a minimum of t= -5.401, df=23, P:0.000, total rainfall t=2.025, df=23, P:0.275. The linear regression analysis shows rainfall variation y = -9.588x + 1217.1 and temperature y =0.0258x + 29.888 with an increase of +0.4°C. The annual maximum temperature averages show heterogeneous distribution from kurtosis coefficient with little observed skewness.

	 

	Key words: Rainfall, temperature, urbanization, retrospective.

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Innocent Ngare

Papers

Farmers’ Perceptions on the Effects of Climate Variability on Dairy Farming in Masaba North, Nyamira County, Kenya

Assessment of the Effectiveness of Biophysical Soil and Water Conservation Structures: A Case Study of Offa Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

Determinants of climate change adaptation and perceptions among small-scale farmers of Embu County, Eastern Kenya

Green Innovation Enterprises and Environmental Entrepreneurship for Poverty Alleviation in Kenya

Urban climate variability trend in the coastal region of Mombasa Kenya