Climate Change Adaptation Mechanisms

Climate change is likely to happen with surface temperatures having increased by about 0.74°C from 1906 to 2005 (IPCC, 2007). Observations show that there are changes in precipitation, occurring in the amount, intensity, frequency and type of precipitation, as a result of direct influences of climate change. In both the developed and developing world, climate impacts are reverberating through the economy, threatening water availability, hydro-power generation, extreme weather impacts, sea level rise, amongst others (WWF, 2006).

Climate change and variability has potential impact in Africa in general and East Africa in particular on different natural resources, such as water availability, which in turn greatly influences agriculture, energy,

It is clear that vulnerability to climate change is closely related to poverty, as the poor are least able to respond to climatic stimuli. Furthermore, certain regions of the world are more severely affected by the effects of climate change than others. Generally speaking, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change are urgent issues among many developing countries.The objectives of this paper is to assess climate change impact and adaptation mechanisms for the pastoralist community in South Omo Zone,

The average Ethiopian is responsible for around one metric tons of CO2 per year. According to the business-as-usual scenario outlined by the government, GHG emissions in Ethiopia are expected to increase from roughly 150 Mt CO2e, at present, to around 400 Mt CO2e in upcoming years (FDRE 2011). This will be mainly the result of the expansions of agriculture, especially commercial farming and husbandry, and deforestation, which is influenced by the expansion of cropland and population growth. Despite this expected doubling of emissions, Ethiopia would still be a minor producer of GHGs by global standards. At the same time, a growing number of studies show that Ethiopia is likely to be one of the country’s most severely affected by climatic changes associated with global warming. Ethiopia’s high vulnerability is derived from the fact that its economy and the livelihoods of most Ethiopians are extremely dependent on agriculture. While the service sector has grown considerably in recent years, agriculture continues to account for nearly half of the country’s GDP, more than 80 percent of its export revenues, and roughly 85 percent of employment. Although there is a growing trend towards modernisedcommercial farming, the majority of Ethiopia’s agricultural production continues to be based on human and animal power, uses traditional tools and methods, and relies heavily on natural rainfall to