Climate change adaptation strategies and their challenges in Lesotho

Abstract

While most studies focus on climate adaptation strategies, very little research exists on why most strategies do not succeed hence the topic; climate change adaptation strategies and their challenges in Lesotho: the case of Makaung community in Mafeteng district. The qualitative research study is guided by the Action Theory and designed as a case study with the main goal to explore why the residents in Makaung still struggle to get used to climate change yet there were different adaptation strategies introduced in that area. The objectives of the study were; (a) to examine the causes of climate change in Lesotho, (b) to assess how climate change has affected the daily practices, (c) to investigate what strategies has Lesotho applied so far, (d) to explore the challenges to adaptation and (e) to evaluate the legal framework that support climate change adaptation…Only fifty (50) residents from the selected six villages through purposive and quota sampling were interviewed. Through observation and credibility, it was revealed that Makaung is a very dry area with no infrastructure at all which affects the implementation of different climate change adaptation strategies introduced in the area. However, all strategies significantly differed from those that were introduced in the past years. The findings show that mitigation projects were introduced by the Lesotho government in collaboration with development partners (IACOV, WFP, WAMPP and ReNOKA) as a means to prevent soil erosion by building walls across the inside of dongas and planting trees and grass in the veld but were destroyed by livestock and heavy rainfalls and extreme draughts. The residents were also taught about climate change adaptation through public gatherings and trainings, introduced key-hole gardening, food-for-work (fato-fato) and short cycled livestock but few residents applied those strategies. Most of them complained about absence of water in the area for irrigation and livestock as they already struggle with drinking water. There is also lack of law enforcement to protect the projects. The recommendation is that the government should formulate clear policies that guide the projects and enforce law on people who destroy implemented projects. Before introducing the project, project managers have to learn more about the geographical features and the culture of people in the area before implementation.