Facilitating Response to Climate Change through Social Learning in Rural Communities

Climate change has become a reality in most parts of the African continent. Its impact is undisputable, especially amongst vulnerable communities such as the rural poor who are dependent on subsistence agricultural practices. These communities share experiences on adaptation and mitigation strategies to cope with climate change through social learning. Government policies and subsidies are complimenting local efforts to cope with climatic conditions threatening annual supply of rural livelihoods. This paper is based on research findings from rural communities in the eastern part of Botswana. It has emerged from the research evidence that rainfall pattern and amount is increasingly varied and unreliable in the area. This has an impact on agricultural production and wild products that are sources of livelihoods for the majority of the community in the area. Through a community based organization formed by women, experiences, information and skills are shared formally and informally to improve people’s adaptation and coping strategies to harsh climatic related stressors. To facilitate a more pro-active response to climate change and variability a national climate resilience strategy would be a viable tool complimenting the existing policies and traditional knowledge systems.