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How local communities attribute livelihood vulnerabilities to climate change and other causes: a case study in North Vanuatu

Author

Listed:
  • Danny Philipp Nef

    (Institute for Environmental Decisions, ETH Zürich)

  • Daniel Neneth

    (Department of Agriculture)

  • Patteson Dini

    (Mota Lava’s Kastom Society)

  • Carmenza Robledo Abad

    (Institute for Environmental Decisions, ETH Zürich)

  • Pius Kruetli

    (Institute for Environmental Decisions, ETH Zürich)

Abstract

Understanding the causal factors of livelihood challenges and associated vulnerabilities is essential for developing viable adaptation strategies. However, clarifying which livelihood challenges can be attributed to which causal factors remains a challenge. In this paper, we used a case study in Vanuatu to show how local populations attribute subsistence challenges to underlying causes. Particularly, we are interested in whether there is a tendency to view climate change as the primary cause, and if so, why. We followed a participatory approach involving local community members and experts at all stages of the study process. For this, we used complementary research methods such as resource mapping, participant observation, and in-depth interviews with local community members and local agriculture experts. The results show that local populations are indeed inclined to attribute problems to external causes, particularly climate change. However, the results also indicate that this external attribution is not definitive. Rather, we find that over the course of participatory reflection, attribution to climate change was supplemented and even replaced by internal causal factors, such as changes in garden practices. Our findings suggest that the initial emphasis on climate change may be related to prevailing narratives that may have influenced individual perceptions of the study participants and created social desirability. If such bias is not recognized, the narratives risk being reified, with potential new insights being overlooked. As a result, local attribution may overstate or understate specific causes, such as climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Danny Philipp Nef & Daniel Neneth & Patteson Dini & Carmenza Robledo Abad & Pius Kruetli, 2021. "How local communities attribute livelihood vulnerabilities to climate change and other causes: a case study in North Vanuatu," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 168(3), pages 1-20, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:168:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s10584-021-03221-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03221-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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