IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND COPING MECHANISMS OF PASTORALISTS: THE CASE OF GELADI WEREDA, ETHIOPIAN SOMALI REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

Ethiopia is among those countries most vulnerable to climate risks and it is the historically prone country to extreme weather events, which was a reason for frequent droughts that caused periodic famines. Therefore, this situation has taught the Ethiopians how to live with climate changes more than anyone else. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to examine the social, economic and environmental impacts of climate change based on their likelihood, degree of existence and trends of the impacts; to find out the adaptation strategies and mitigation measures; and to identify the challenges to the adoption of the coping mechanisms of the pastoralists of Geladi district. To achieve these objectives descriptive survey method was employed and data was collected from 185 respondents. These respondents were selected using non- probability purposive sampling. The gathered data were analyzed using frequencies and statistical descriptive: percentage, mean, mode and standard deviation; and the results are illustrated using tables, diagrams and graphs. As a result, impacts of the climate change were likely appeared on the social, economic and environmental conditions of the pastoralists. In addition, the degree of effect of the climate change on the social, economic and environmental conditions was high. Nevertheless, the adaptation strategies for food shortage, water shortage, pastoralists’ health problems and drought were likely practiced; whereas, those adaptation practices related to livestock health problems, and livestock feed shortage; and most of the mitigation measures were unlikely practiced. This could be because of social, economic and political challenges that the pastoralists are facing.