Climate change adaptation

Despite contributing little to global warming, it is the most vulnerable people that already suffer the worst of climate change.

Industrialised countries may debate how reducing emissions will affect them financially, but it is the poorest people in developing countries that are feeling the most severe human, physical, and financial impacts of climate change.

They are also the least prepared to protect themselves against this new imposed threat. Practical Action is working with those most at risk to develop ways in which they can adapt and maintain their existing lifestyles.

Examples of our work in adaptating to climate change

Why climate change hits those in poverty hardest ...

Lack of assets
People living in poverty are vulnerable to climate change because they have few assets to help them avoid or recover from a shock event. It is very difficult for people to adapt their livelihoods if they have no capital to cover the costs and little influence over the institutions that control their access to resources. They are further hindered by poor access to new knowledge or opportunities for learning new skills. Being in poverty means, therefore, being exposed to sudden weather-related disaster events and, when one happens, people in these situations are often unable to replace or repair damaged property because they have little savings and no access to credit.

Depending on natural resources
People in rural communities generate most of their income from farming, fishing, or livestock rearing and, therefore, rely on the natural resources available to them. Any changes in rainfall levels, soil fertility, temperature, plant coverage or water-levels can have devastating consequences for their livelihoods.

Living in the most dangerous areas
Throughout the developed world it is usually the poorest that are forced to live in the most dangerous and marginalised areas. These are places where no one else will live because they are too risky. This is a problem in Bangladesh where population size and competition for land push poor people into areas that are regularly flooded or receding through riverbank erosion.

Despite these vulnerabilities, people have developed ways to live in severe circumstances. They already have the knowledge and techniques to survive in harsh conditions, but, as climate change intensifies the challenges beyond their experience, coordinated adaptation support is needed to protect people's livelihoods and their right to develop.

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