Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

In light of the increased impacts of climate change, farmers’ adaptation is highly inequitable. Yet, much adaptation literature investigating justice concerns draws on a single-axis analysis of inequities, overlooking how overlapping categories of discrimination create unique experiences of injustices. To enrich the debate on intersectional inequities in adaptation, this study aims to investigate and develop an understanding of how farmers’ intersecting identities shape equitable adaptation to stressors posed by climatic and non-climatic changes. Drawing on approximately 30 semi-structured interviews and participatory observations with farming households in rural Nepal, the thesis demonstrates that inequity is intersectional, which in turn, nurtures inequitable adaptation. The results show more specifically (1) what climatic and non-climatic changes related stressors are perceived and experienced amongst farmers, (2) how farmers adapt to the perceived stressors, (3) how intersectionality shapes adaptation to the perceived stressors. More specifically, farmers from across two districts in Nepal, Ramechhap and Dolakha, are experiencing and adapting to the growing stressors of increased temperatures, erratic rainfall, insect invasions, wildlife conflicts, migration and work burden. Associated adaptation strategies identified in this thesis are adjustments in livestock management, collective actions, and support from local governments. Findings reveal, however, that adaptation capacities are differentiated between farmers depending on their overlapping social identities. For instance, the findings show that gender and age intersect to exclude old female farmers from households’ decision-making on livestock adjustments. Another example is gender and education, leading to the exclusion of uneducated female farmers from participating in community groups through which collective actions are taken. For male farmers, intra-group differences also appeared to shape adaptive capacities, most specifically at the intersection of disability and socioeconomic status, leading to an exclusion of these farmers from receiving adequate adaptation resources from the local government. By addressing the role of intersectionality in shaping equitable adaptation, the thesis expands the discussion on adaptation within globally marginalised, yet heterogeneous, rural communities. In particular, the thesis sheds light on how an intersectional lens can sharpen climate justice dimensions by illustrating how intra-group differences shape procedural (decision-making), distributive (economic) and recognitional justice dimensions for farmers with intersectional identities.