Shifting Perspectives and Practices
Agriculture and Drinking Water Adaptation to Salinity: Enhancing Climate Resilience in Coastal Bangladesh View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ahmed Ziaur Rahman
Salinity intrusion has become a significant threat to agriculture and drinking water supply systems in the coastal region of Bangladesh, challenging traditional livelihoods and environmental stability. The coastal people of Bangladesh are trying to cope with the changing climate with a range of adaptation strategies. This paper examines the effectiveness of the current adaptation measures employed to combat soil and water salinity in southwestern coastal Bangladesh in enhancing climate resilience in the agriculture and drinking water sectors. Applying thematic analysis of data collected from Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews, and field observations, this study provides a comprehensive assessment of the current strategies, challenges, and way forward for salinity adaptations. The analysis has identified several adaptation strategies taken by the local people, including land and water management techniques like polders and irrigation canals, innovative irrigation techniques, as well as community-level strategies like crop diversification, cultivation of salinity-tolerant crop varieties, and reverse osmosis plants to individual-level strategies like rainwater harvesting. The study has evaluated the effectiveness of these strategies based on criteria like scale, cost, seasonality, quality, and productivity. Key findings of the study highlight the effectiveness of some adaptation practices in enhancing resilience while also identifying some overrated adaptation measures and significant financial, institutional, and administrative constraints that hinder the broader implementation of effective adaptation techniques. The study underscores the importance of integrated socio-agricultural management approaches and coordinated efforts among individuals, communities, and institutions, and, offers insights for policymakers and practitioners engaged in enhancing the resilience of coastal communities.
Featured Misrepresentation of Climate Change as Spiritual and Cultural Crises: The Case of Africa View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Essien Oku Essien
This study critically examines the misrepresentation of climate change as primarily a spiritual and cultural crisis in Africa, rather than as an environmental and socio-economic challenge. This mischaracterization has significant implications for local policy formulation, public perception, and effective climate action in the region. Utilizing a narrative analysis approach, the research investigates how historical, cultural, and spiritual narratives are co-opted to frame climate change issues, often diverting attention from scientific evidence and pragmatic solutions. By analyzing community narratives, the study aims to reveal how climate change is frequently portrayed as a consequence of moral failings or supernatural phenomena. This framing not only undermines the urgency and scale of the crisis but also perpetuates a fatalistic outlook, impeding collective action and resilience-building efforts. The research draws on case studies from selected local African tribes in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to illustrate the pervasive nature of these misrepresentations and their roots in precolonial/colonial histories, religious beliefs, and cultural practices. It aims to highlight how local ancestry, oral traditions, and myths contribute to this skewed narrative. The study argues for a reorientation of climate communication strategies in Africa, emphasizing the integration of scientific knowledge with culturally resonant messaging that acknowledges and respects local beliefs without compromising the facts. By addressing these misrepresentations, the research aims to foster a more informed and proactive approach to climate change in low-informed areas in Africa, promoting practices that are both culturally sensitive and scientifically sound.
