Adaptive Sustainable Livelihood Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation in the Lake Chad Region

Stanley Osezua Ehiane, Philani Moyo

Abstract

In the last five decades, Lake Chad has shrunk drastically because of climate-induced factors. The lake’s recession has impacted the livelihood of the people, and the region has witnessed an increase in violent conflict between extremist groups that culminated in migration and displacement. This study explored livelihood strategies in the wake of climate variability and environmental degradation. The main climatic risks to communities in these countries, which share a border with Lake Chad, are increasing minimum and maximum temperatures, high rainfall variability, and extreme droughts and floods. The study objectives are to examine sustainable livelihood in the Lake Chad region, understand sustainable livelihood approaches, vulnerabilities, and climate change, and identify an adaptive sustainable livelihood strategy in the Lake Chad region. This study adopted a qualitative method, specifically secondary data such as journals, textbooks, archival materials, and online sources, to examine livelihood strategies in the Lake Chad region. This study identified innovative adaptation practices by the communities in the region that promote sustainable livelihoods. The paper is anchored on its analysis using the sustainable livelihoods approach and DFID framework to establish the relationship between vulnerability and adaptation to sustain livelihoods in the Lake Chad region. This paper argued that despite the implementation of local adaptation strategies, medium- and long-term livelihood sustainability and Agenda 2030 are unrealistic in the wake of the continuing threat of climate change. The results of this study contribute to a more nuanced understanding of survival strategies in Lake Chad.

 

Keywords: Climate change, Livelihood, Sustainability, Lake Chad.

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.63.37


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