Assessing climate change trends and adaptation options within Ojwina and Central divisions in Lira district, Uganda

Abstract

We see that little adaptation has been made and some of the few include, planting vegetables, shifting away from rainfed agriculture to the use of irrigation systems, use of granaries. There is therefore need for the creation of awareness about this environmental problem that we are having and having adjustments made to absorb the impacts. There is also a need to curb people’s desire to use Assessing climate change impacts and adaptation options is an important field of science. In the field of climate change science, one cannot only dwell on the impacts without bringing out how to adjust to those impacts brought about by climate change. Climate change impacts would be considered as an interplay between vulnerability and risks that people face in this situation. Adaptation strategies are very relevant to the global community and if we are to promote sustainability, we have to find ways of adjusting to the impacts being brought by this environmental problem. This would mean sustainability in our social livelihoods, our economic systems and the environment. Therefore, this study assessed the climate change trend and adaptation options within Ojwina and Central divisions in Lira district using questionnaires and key informant interviews. The findings of the study indicate a decreasing rainfall amount and an increasing temperature within the community. Some of the major impacts included drying of crops, drought, increase in dust and some of the causes of climate change within this area were seen to be cutting down of trees, wetland cultivation and given that Lira is an upcoming urban area, there are a lot of automobiles being used and some of these are very old. fuel wood, and wetland cultivation within Lira district to work to try to minimize the impacts. Keywords: climate change, impacts, adjustment strategies.