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Review
. 2016 Feb 2;8(2):200.
doi: 10.4102/jamba.v8i2.200. eCollection 2016.

The changing climate and human vulnerability in north-central Namibia

Margaret N Angula  1 , Maria B Kaundjua  2
Affiliations
Review

The changing climate and human vulnerability in north-central Namibia

Margaret N Angula et al. Jamba. .

Abstract

North-central Namibia is more vulnerable to effects of climate change and variability. Combined effects of environmental degradation, social vulnerability to poverty and a changing climate will compromise subsistence farming in north-central Namibia (NCN). This will make subsistence and small-scale farmers in the region more vulnerable to projected changes in the climate system. Thus, the aim of this article was to examine factors contributing to subsistence farmers' vulnerability to impacts of climate change. The article further discusses different aspects of human vulnerability and existing adaptation strategies in response to impacts of climate related disasters experienced over the past three to four decades in NCN. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches and methodology were employed to obtain information from subsistence farmers in north-central Namibia. The sociodemographic characteristics of Ohangwena, Oshana and Omusati Region reveals high levels of unemployment, high adult and elderly population and high dependency on agricultural livelihood system. These indicators help understand levels of household vulnerability. The study concludes that households interviewed revealed low levels of adaptive capacity due to exposure to climate risks and combined effects of social, political and cultural factors. This article provided an understanding that is required to inform the adaptation pathways relevant for NCN.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships which may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
A map illustrating 14 administrative regions of Namibia.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Climate related disasters observed in North-Central Namibia (2008–2012).
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Impacts of flooding on human health.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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