Livelihood vulnerability and climate change: a comparative analysis of smallholders in the Indo-Gangetic plains

Venus, Terese E.; Bilgram, Stephanie; Sauer, Johannes; Khatri-Chettri, Arun

doi:10.1007/s10668-021-01516-8

Cited by 32 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 104 publications

(182 reference statements)

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“…The close connection between socioeconomic drivers of vulnerability and human livelihoods is determined by access to resources and basic needs, such as food and water supplies (Din et al, 2022). For example, livelihoods in South Asia are most sensitive to impacts relating to health and agricultural productivity (Venus et al, 2022), with the latter increasingly dependent on meltwater and groundwater (Lutz et al, 2022). However, glacier retreat in mountainous regions such as the Himalayas, threatens the supply of water, particularly under drought conditions.…”

Section: Ten New Insightsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ten new insights in climate science 2022

et al. 2022

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Non-technical summary We summarize what we assess as the past year's most important findings within climate change research: limits to adaptation, vulnerability hotspots, new threats coming from the climate–health nexus, climate (im)mobility and security, sustainable practices for land use and finance, losses and damages, inclusive societal climate decisions and ways to overcome structural barriers to accelerate mitigation and limit global warming to below 2°C. Technical summary We synthesize 10 topics within climate research where there have been significant advances or emerging scientific consensus since January 2021. The selection of these insights was based on input from an international open call with broad disciplinary scope. Findings concern: (1) new aspects of soft and hard limits to adaptation; (2) the emergence of regional vulnerability hotspots from climate impacts and human vulnerability; (3) new threats on the climate–health horizon – some involving plants and animals; (4) climate (im)mobility and the need for anticipatory action; (5) security and climate; (6) sustainable land management as a prerequisite to land-based solutions; (7) sustainable finance practices in the private sector and the need for political guidance; (8) the urgent planetary imperative for addressing losses and damages; (9) inclusive societal choices for climate-resilient development and (10) how to overcome barriers to accelerate mitigation and limit global warming to below 2°C. Social media summary Science has evidence on barriers to mitigation and how to overcome them to avoid limits to adaptation across multiple fields.

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Section: Ten New Insightsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ten new insights in climate science 2022

et al. 2022

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“…Climate change leads to additional challenges including accelerated soil degradation (Venus et al, 2021; Vermeulen et al, 2012). The effects of projected climate change on soil degradation are complex.…”

Section: Impacts Of Planetary Boundaries On Soil Degradation In the I...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil degradation and mitigation in agricultural lands in the Indian Anthropocene

Bhattacharyya

Bhatia

Ghosh

et al. 2023

European J Soil Science

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Current widespread and intensive soil degradation in India has been driven by unprecedented levels of population growth, large‐scale industrialization, high‐yield agriculture, urban sprawl and the spread of human infrastructure. The damage caused to managed and natural systems by soil degradation threatens livelihoods and local services and leads to national socio‐economic disruption. Human‐induced soil degradation results from land clearing and deforestation, inappropriate agricultural practices, improper management of industrial effluents and wastes, careless management of forests, surface mining, urban sprawl, and ill‐planned commercial and industrial development. Of these, inappropriate agricultural practices, including excessive tillage and use of heavy machinery, over‐grazing, excessive and unbalanced use of inorganic fertilizers, poor irrigation and water management techniques, pesticide overuse, inadequate crop residue and/or organic carbon inputs, and poor crop cycle planning, account for nearly 40% (121 Mha) of land degradation across India. Globally, human activities related to agriculture contribute to the transgression of four of the nine Planetary Boundaries proposed by Rockström et al. (2009): Climate Change, Biodiversity Integrity, Land‐system Change, and altered Phosphorus and Nitrogen Biogeochemical Flows. This review focuses on how knowledge of soil processes in agriculture has developed in India over the past 10 years, and the potential of soil science to meet the objectives of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger (End hunger, achieve food security, improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture), using the context of the four most relevant Planetary Boundaries as a framework. Solutions to mitigate soil degradation and improve soil health in different regions using conservation agricultural approaches have been proposed. Thus, in this review we (1) summarize the outputs of recent innovative research in India that has explored the impacts of soil degradation on four Planetary Boundaries (Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, Land‐system Change, and altered Biogeochemical Flows of Phosphorus and Nitrogen) and vice‐versa; and (2) identify the knowledge gaps that require urgent attention to inform developing soil science research agendas in India, to advise policy makers, and to support those whose livelihoods rely on the land.

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“…Diversification of livelihoods is essential for household survival [26]. According to research from South Asia, farmers diversify their livelihood earnings more when natural disasters strike more frequently [27]. When it comes to cash and debts, both Ak-Tyuz and Duisheevksy are fairly weak (both show 0.50 percent of households who have debts).…”

Section: Adaptive Capacitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Livelihood Vulnerability of Herders to Changing Climate in Chui Oblast, Kyrgyz Republic

Ibraimova,

Lee,

Zhumashev

et al. 2023

Land

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Kyrgyzstan is a country that is heavily reliant on agricultural products and animal husbandry, making it particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Using the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI), this study attempted to assess vulnerability to climate change impacts on land, biodiversity, herders, and livestock in Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous areas. The survey was conducted using respondent interviews. In the Chon-Kemin valley target area, we interviewed 198 nomad households with livestock. The study found that communities rely heavily on pasture resources, that there are almost no human–wildlife conflicts (HWCs), and that climate disasters have limited impact. Major components of herders’ sensitivity and adaptive capacity resulted in low numbers. This, combined with rare climate disasters such as droughts and thus low exposure, reduced vulnerability under the IPCC framework. However, any increase in climate disasters, combined with continued land-use pressure, will severely impact herders and their livelihoods. In Kyrgyzstan, hundreds of livestock and dozens of wild animals have already died as a result of late frosts in pastures. National policies and programs should be revised to improve adaptive capacity. This study calls into question the importance of improving wildlife research and capacity building, as well as cooperation between local and national stakeholders.

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Livelihood vulnerability and climate change: a comparative analysis of smallholders in the Indo-Gangetic plains

Cited by 32 publications

References 104 publications

Ten new insights in climate science 2022

Ten new insights in climate science 2022

Soil degradation and mitigation in agricultural lands in the Indian Anthropocene

Assessing the Livelihood Vulnerability of Herders to Changing Climate in Chui Oblast, Kyrgyz Republic

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