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- 1. By Kutoya Kusse (MSc inAgricultural Economics) September, 2025 Turmi, Ethiopia Alternative Livelihood Solution for Climate Resilience
- 2. Presentation Outline 1. Introduction 2.Main Causes of Climate Change Vulnerability 3. Alternative Livelihood Solution for Climate Resilience 4. Ways forward
- 3. Introduction • Communities worldwideare increasingly vulnerable to climate change, which threatens traditional livelihoods especially in agriculture-dependent and ecologically sensitive regions. • In these regions the major sectors affected due to climate change are; Agriculture and food: Reduced crop yields, increased pest infestations, soil degradation, and food insecurity
- 4. Biodiversity: Speciesextinction, shifts in species distributions, loss of ecosystem services.
- 5. Human Health:Increased vector-borne and waterborne diseases, heat stress, and psychological distress
- 6. Economy: Economiclosses, especially in poorer and low-lying countries; increased poverty risk
- 7. Infrastructure: Damagefrom extreme weather events (floods, storms, wildfires), sea level rise
- 8. Cultural Heritage:Degradation of historical sites and artifacts due to weather extremes and environmental shifts
- 9. Energy Systems:Disruption of energy supply and increased demand for cooling
- 10. Main Causes ofClimate Change Vulnerability 1. Socioeconomic and Political Factors • Poverty, lack of assets, and weak social protections: These increases vulnerability by limiting people’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate impacts. • Inequitable access to resources, poor governance, and limited political power: Preventing some groups from reducing their exposure or adapting effectively. • Historical and structural inequalities: (such as marginalization or discrimination) often result in certain populations being disproportionately affected.
- 11. 2. Environmental andPhysical Exposure • Geographic location: (e.g., low-lying coastal areas, drought-prone regions) increases exposure to hazards like floods, droughts, and storms. • Degraded ecosystems and poor infrastructure: Reduce the natural and built environment’s ability to buffer climate impacts.
- 12. 3. Limited AdaptiveCapacity • Low education, limited access to information, and inadequate technology: Hinder the ability to anticipate and adapt to climate risks. • Insufficient financial resources and weak institutions: further constrain adaptation options.
- 13. 4. Sectoral andSystemic Vulnerabilities • Dependence on climate-sensitive sectors: (agriculture, water, health, food supply) increases risk, especially where alternative livelihoods are lacking.
- 14. Why we Needfor Alternative Livelihoods??????? • Climate change brings unpredictable rainfall, droughts, floods, and ecosystem degradation, undermining conventional farming, fishing, and pastoral activities. • As a result, affected populations are compelled to seek new or supplementary income sources that are less sensitive to climate risks and can sustain well-being during environmental shocks.
- 15. Conti….. • Alternative livelihoodsolutions are essential for building climate resilience, enabling households to adapt, diversify income, and reduce vulnerability to climate shocks.
- 16. A livelihoodrefers to the capabilities, assets (both material and social resources), and activities required for a means of living. It encompasses all the ways people secure the necessities of life, such as food, income, and shelter, through various activities and resource. Definition of terms
- 17. Core Components ofLivelihood • Capabilities: Skills, knowledge, and health that enable people to pursue different strategies for survival. • Assets: Resources people have access to, including land, livestock, money, social networks, and tools. • Activities: The range of actions and work (such as farming, trading, or wage labor) people undertake to earn a living.
- 18. Sustainability of Livelihood •A livelihood is considered sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks, maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets, and not undermine the natural resource base for future generations.
- 19. Alternative Livelihood • Analternative livelihood refers to a means of making a living that is introduced to replace or supplement existing activities especially those considered environmentally damaging, unsustainable, or vulnerable to shocks. • The goal is to provide individuals or communities with new, lower-impact livelihood options that offer at least equivalent benefits in terms of income, food security, or well-being.
- 20. Elements of AlternativeLivelihoods • Substitution or Diversification: Alternative livelihoods often substitute harmful or unsustainable activities (like illegal hunting, overfishing, or unsustainable farming) with more sustainable options such as eco-tourism, handicrafts, beekeeping, or drought-resistant agriculture. • Sustainability Focus: These interventions aim to reduce environmental pressure, enhance resilience, and support long-term community well-being.
- 21. • Context-Specific: Effectivealternative livelihoods are tailored to local needs, resources, and aspirations, and are most successful when they consider the social-ecological systems in which people live. • Not Always a Full Replacement: In practice, alternative livelihoods may be added to a household’s existing activities rather than fully replacing the original livelihood. • So, alternative livelihoods are new or supplementary income- generating activities designed to reduce reliance on unsustainable or harmful practices, supporting both community resilience and environmental sustainability.
- 22. Climate Resilience • Climateresilience is the capacity of a system such as a community, ecosystem, or infrastructure to anticipate, absorb, adapt to, and recover from the impacts of climate change while maintaining essential functions, structures, and identity. • It involves not just “bouncing back” to a previous state after a disturbance, but also “bouncing forward” by reorganizing and transforming in response to ongoing and future climate challenges.
- 23. Elements of ClimateResilience • Absorption: The ability to withstand climate shocks and stresses without significant disruption. • Adaptation: Adjusting behaviors, systems, or structures to reduce vulnerability and take advantage of new opportunities. • Recovery: The process of regaining functionality and well-being after a climate-related event. • Transformation: The capacity to fundamentally change when existing conditions become unsustainable, ensuring long-term survival and well- being
- 24. Alternative livelihood solutionfor climate resilience in the area • Agro-pastoralism: Integrating crop farming with livestock rearing is a widespread adaptation, improving food security and buffering against livestock losses during droughts or disease outbreaks.
- 25. • Use ofimproved drought resistant and early maturing crops and forage verities: The adoption of improved and drought-resistant crop and forage varieties is a key strategy for enhancing agricultural resilience to water scarcity and climate change. • These varieties help maintain yields, improve water-use efficiency, and support food security in drought-prone regions.
- 26. • Non-farm Activities:Engagement in small businesses (petty trade), wage labor, handicrafts, and trade provides supplementary income and reduces dependence on climate-sensitive activities.
- 27. • Bio-enterprises: Initiativessuch as beekeeping, organic poultry, and the collection of plant products (e.g., gums, resins) are emerging as sustainable alternatives, especially when supported by training and market access.
- 28. • Livestock ImprovementPrograms and Value Addition: Livestock improvement programs aim to enhance productivity, resilience, and livelihoods by improving animal genetics, management, and health. • These programs are especially vital for smallholder and vulnerable communities, where livestock are central to food security and income.
- 29. • Irrigation andWater-Saving Technologies: The adoption of solar- powered pump drip irrigation systems has shown promise in establishing resilient livelihoods by addressing water scarcity and enabling crop production during dry seasons.
- 30. Agroforestry: Integratingtrees with crops and livestock provides food, income, and environmental benefits, directly and indirectly strengthening resilience to floods and droughts.
- 31. • Capacity Buildingand Extension: Training farmers in improved breeding, animal health, and management practices increases adoption and effectiveness. • Continuous education and access to information are key for long-term success.
- 32. Ways Forward 1. StrengthenCapacity and Access • Training and Knowledge Sharing: Building local skills in new livelihood options, climate adaptation, and resource management is essential for uptake and sustainability. • Access to Credit and Resources: Financial support, infrastructure, and technology access are critical for enabling vulnerable groups to adopt alternative livelihoods. 2. Foster Enabling Policy and Community Support • Participatory Governance: Policies should be developed with community input, recognizing local vulnerabilities and knowledge. • Social Safety Nets: Strengthening social protection and safety nets helps buffer shocks and supports transitions to new livelihoods.
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