THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL-, LOCAL- AND INDIGENOUS-KNOWLEDGE IN RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE: LOCAL-GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Dr. Kenneth Odero, Climate XL

AfricaAdapt Climate Change Symposium9-11 March, Addis Ababa

CONTENT

1. Research problem2. Research objectives3. Approach4. Findings5. Policy implications

RESEARCH PROBLEM (1/2)

Photography: Courtesy of The StandardA B

RESEARCH PROBLEM (2/2)

Source: FEWSNET (2010) "A Climate Trend Analysis of Kenya"

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1. To review relevant risk management strategies employed by Kenyan communities to prepare for, avoid or moderate, and recover from the effects of exposure to anthropogenic and or negative climate change

2. Draw policy implications.

APPROACH

Case studies and Documentary analyses of:

range management based system in Kibwezi; tree fodder for livestock system and

conservation based agro-forestry system in Embu;

high value tree crops system in the coastal humid zones;

soil fertility based agro-forestry system in Maseno;

species preference among the Olma and Mboni communities of Mpeketoni;

use of indigenous techniques in the management of pests and diseases among the Tugen; and

cattle/animal husbandry practices of the Borana community in northern Kenya.

FINDINGS (1/3) To help cope with the negative impacts of

anthropogenic climate change, communities employ traditional-, local- and indigenous-knowledge (TLIK) based practices.

TLIK includes: gender defined knowledge of indigenous plant and

animal species, especially drought-tolerant and pest-resistant varieties;

water harvesting technologies; water conservation techniques to improve water

retention in fragile soils; food preservation techniques such as fermentation, sun

drying, use of herbal plants, ash, honey, and smoke to ensure food security;

seed selection to avoid the risks of drought;

FINDINGS (2/3) mixed- and or intercropping and diversification; soil conservation through no tillage and other

techniques; use of early warning systems to predict short, medium

and long term climate changes; transhumance to avoid draught and risk loss of

livestock; herd accumulation; use of supplementary feed for livestock; reserving pasture for use by young, sick and lactating

animals in case of drought; disease control in livestock and grain preservation; reserving pasture for use by young, sick and lactating

animals in case of drought; disease control in livestock and grain preservation;

FINDINGS (3/3)

use of indigenous techniques in the management of pests and diseases;

culling of weak livestock for food; and multi-species composition of herds to survive

climate extremes. TLIK is the resource that is most readily

available to smallholder farmers, pastoralists, fishing communities and forest dwellers to deal with the negative impacts of climate change

This gender-based knowledge, which has evolved over the last 10,000 years with the domestication of plants and animals is critical for responding to climate change related risks at the local level.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

1. Adaptation2. Financing → ODA↓ ↔ Africa’s negotiation

position in the UNFCCC3. Technology transfer/technology

development, including IPR issues, green economy, etc

4. Mitigation – by definition TLIK is sustainable and climate smart

5. STI6. Transport, Energy & Housing7. Rural/Agriculture, Land, Water, Forestry8. Gender, Education, Health, etc.