Climate-responsive and sustainable livelihoods
A climate-responsive and sustainable livelihood is one that can not only withstand and recover from climate-related shocks and stresses but also continue or improve its activities into the future, and maintain or improve its associated assets, without harming natural resources.
Why are climate-responsive and sustainable livelihoods important?
Climate-responsive and sustainable livelihoods are important for several reasons. They can help people to:
- reduce their vulnerability to climate change,
- improve their food security,
- increase their income,
- create jobs, and
- protect the environment.
Here are a few examples of climate-responsive and sustainable livelihoods:
- Agroecology: Agroecology is a holistic approach to farming that focuses on building healthy ecosystems and resilient food systems.
- Community forestry: Community forestry is a system in which local communities manage and benefit from forests — for example, timber harvesting, non-timber forest product collection and ecotourism.
- Renewable energy: Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are becoming increasingly affordable and accessible. Installing solar panels or wind turbines or working in renewable energy manufacturing and maintenance are all renewable energy livelihood opportunities.
- Sustainable tourism: Sustainable tourism is a type of tourism that minimises its environmental impact and benefits local communities by promoting guided tours, operating eco-lodges or selling locally produced handicrafts and other products.
Here are some examples of steps you can take to design climate-responsive and sustainable livelihoods:
- Diversify livelihoods by developing new sources of income to reduce reliance on climate-sensitive activities.
- Improve climate resilience by making changes to existing livelihood activities to make them more resistant to the effects of climate change.
- Build social capital by strengthening social networks and institutions to help people cope with climate change and its impacts — for example, form a community savings group to help members recover from financial losses stemming from a climate-related disaster.
- Empower women by involving them in decision-making about climate change adaptation and ensuring that they have access to the resources they need to adapt.
Activity
Can you think of other perspectives or other livelihood opportunities that have emerged from the climate change issues in your locality or community? Can you create a photo essay (see, for example, https://fixthephoto.com/photo-essay-examples.html) about them?
