Philippine E-Journals

ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE: A CASE STUDY AMONG THE UPLAND COMMUNITIES OF NUEVA VIZCAYA, PHILIPPINES

Elizabeth T. Carig

Discipline: Environmental Science Research

 

Abstract:

This paper examined respondents’ perceptions of the impact of climate change and their adaptation strategies. The respondents were aware that climate conditions had changed; they noted strong typhoons and flooding, long droughts, and very hot temperatures. For local communities, this meant insufficient water during summer but excess water during the monsoon. Excessive rainfall caused soil erosion and landslides, siltation of rivers/creeks and flooding of low-lying areas, while hot and dry temperatures increased forest/grass fires. Weather patterns became difficult to predict which affected cropping schedules and resulted in losses. Adaptation strategies include planting fast-growing fruit/forest trees in individual farms and bamboos along riverbanks to control erosion and changing planting schedules. Farmers diversified livelihoods by planting fruit-bearing trees and high-value crops, integrating livestock in their farming systems, and coordinating burning to reduce fires. Although local communities are resilient, local governments must formulate climate change adaptation/mitigation plans to help them cope with climate change.