The study examines the impacts of climate change and climate variability on pastoralist communities in the Moyle District of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia. Using a mixed-methods approach that includes qualitative and quantitative data. A total of 154 households were surveyed, participated in focus groups, and key informant interviews were interviewed in order to collect data. The findings indicated that climate change resulted in periodic droughts, floods, elevated temperatures, and alterations in precipitation patterns. These factors had an impact on the productivity of animals, the frequency of dis-eases, the patterns of breeding, the yields of crops, the patterns of rainfall, and the appropriateness of crops. The study also evaluated the effects on suscepti-ble demographics, such as women, children, the elderly, and those with disabili-ties. Climate change disproportionately affects children and women in pastoral communities, making them especially vulnerable to its negative impacts. This study highlights the necessity for proactive actions, enhanced research, and ef-ficient solutions to address climate change threats and their effects on pastor-alist communities. Policymakers and stakeholders should create thorough plans to improve the ability of these communities to withstand and adapt to challenges. Promote diversified livelihood strategies, strengthen early warning systems and promote collaboration and partnerships.
Cite this paper
Salah, A. , Liu, X. , Tareke, K. M. , Azad, M. and Fikru, F. A. (2024). The Impact of Climate Change and Climate Variability on the Pastoralist Communities in Moyle District, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. Open Access Library Journal, 11, e1582. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1111582.
Fahad, S. and Wang, J. (2020) Climate Change, Vulnerability, and Its Impacts in Rural Pakistan: A Review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27, 1334-1338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06878-1
Li, L., et al. (2019) Adapting Climate Change Challenge: A New Vulnerability Assessment Framework from the Global Perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production, 217, 216-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.162
Arnell, N.W., et al. (2019) Global and Regional Impacts of Climate Change at Different Levels of Global Temperature Increase. Climatic Change, 155, 377-391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-019-02464-z
Masipa, T. (2017) The Impact of Climate Change on Food Security in South Africa: Current Realities and Challenges Ahead. JàMBá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 9, a411. https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v9i1.411
Leal Filho, W., et al. (2020) Introducing Experiences from African Pastoralist Communities to Cope with Climate Change Risks, Hazards and Extremes: Fostering Poverty Reduction. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 50, Article ID: 101738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101738
Otto, I.M., et al. (2017) Social Vulnerability to Climate Change: A Review of Concepts and Evidence. Regional Environmental Change, 17, 1651-1662. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-017-1105-9
Shackleton, S., et al. (2015) Why Is Socially—Just Climate Change Adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa So Challenging? A Review of Barriers Identified from Empirical Cases. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 6, 321-344. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.335
Addaney, M. and Cobbinah, P.B. (2019) Climate Change, Urban Planning and Sustainable Development in Africa: The Difference Worth Appreciating. In: Cobbinah, P.B. and Addaney, M., Eds., The Geography of Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Africa, Springer, Berlin, 3-26. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04873-0_1
Ayele, T., Dedecha, D. and Duba, D. (2020) The Impact of Climate Change on Pastoralist Livelihoods in Ethiopia: A Review. Journal of Resources Development and Management, 63, 8-14.
Berhanu, W. and Beyene, F. (2014) The Impact of Climate Change on Pastoral Production Systems: A Study of Climate Variability and Household Adaptation Strategies in Southern Ethiopian Rangelands. https://doi.org/10.35188/UNU-WIDER/2014/749-3
Koroso, G., Muchie, A. and Faris, G. (2023) Drought Vulnerability and Impacts of Climate Change on Pastoralist and Their Adaptation Measures in Southern Ethiopia: A Comprehensive Review. American Journal of Environmental and Resource Economics, 8, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajere.20230801.11
Shahid, Z. and Piracha, A. (2016) Awareness of Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation at Local Level in Punjab, Pakistan. In: Maheshwari, B., Thoradeniya, B. and Singh, V.P., Eds., Balanced Urban Development: Options and Strategies for Liveable Cities, Springer, Berlin, 409-428. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28112-4_25
Korir, J.C. (2019) Level of Awareness about Climate Change among the Pastoral Community. Environment and Ecology Research, 7, 197-207. https://doi.org/10.13189/eer.2019.070401
Trenberth, K.E. (2008) The Impact of Climate Change and Variability on Heavy Precipitation, Floods, and Droughts. In: Anderson, M.G., Ed., Encyclopedia of Hydrological Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken.
Kimaro, E.G., Mor, S.M. and Toribio, J.-A. (2018) Climate Change Perception and Impacts on Cattle Production in Pastoral Communities of Northern Tanzania. Pastoralism, 8, Article No. 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13570-018-0125-5
Megersa, B., et al. (2014) Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Cattle Production in Southern Ethiopia: Perceptions and Empirical Evidence. Agricultural Systems, 130, 23-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2014.06.002
Amsalu, A. and Adem, A. (2009) Assessment of Climate Change-Induced Hazards, Impacts, and Responses in the Southern Lowlands of Ethiopia. Forum for Social Studies Addis Ababa.
Mengistu, D. (2016) Impacts of Drought and Conventional Coping Strategies of Borana Community, Southern Ethiopia. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 6, 29-37.
Habte, M., et al. (2022) Effects of Climate Variability on Livestock Productivity and Pastoralists Perception: The Case of Drought Resilience in Southeastern Ethiopia. Veterinary and Animal Science, 16, Article ID: 100240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2022.100240