Climate change and variability, its impact on rural livelihoods, local coping and adaptation strategies in Woreilu Woreda, North Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study examines local climate change and variability situations, trends and impacts on the local adaptation and coping strategies in Woreilu Woreda.1 It uses historically recorded temperature and rainfall, and household socio-economic data gathered from four kebeles2, 8 villages and 154 rural households, which were analyzed using statistical tools and qualitative data analyzing techniques. The study revealed that the annual rainfall amount showed decreasing trend and increasing variability while temperature has, in general, increased. Drought has become more frequent and intense. As the local adaptation strategies become outdated, the people confronted with a situation that they are not sufficiently equipped to handle impacts of climate variability and change. Thus, the study suggests a relentless need to address these challenges both from short and longterm policy perspectives.