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There is a growing section of researchers who believe that adaptation to and mitigation of climate change are policy substitutes. Hence in the cost benefit analysis of emission abatement, they should be analyzed simultaneously. However, analysis of trade-offs between adaptation and mitigation is difficult, as they are done on different temporal and spatial scales.

Future Work

There are substantial gaps in knowledge in a few areas. An important gap is the lack of understanding of autonomous strategies of individuals and households, and of underlying systems. The role of social networks and informal institutions on which individuals rely to facilitate adaptive strategies, has been the subject of minimal research. Analysis of social equity, fairness and gender equality in the context of adaptation is almost absent, particularly how both adaptation and mitigation strategies would help fight poverty and social inequalities. Another neglected area is the study of the influence of differential access to services, knowledge and skills on adaptation effects. Intermediaries that can facilitate flow of information and thus enable or constrain adaptation measures have not been discussed.

Migration

Labour mobility is an autonomous strategy for migration. Although researchers have worked on migration in general, many have not done so in the context of climate change. Research needs to focus on mobility as an adaptive measure with its underlying support systems, e.g., transport and banking systems and social network systems. Those left behind, such as elderly and children and workers in captive units may adopt a different strategy. These need to be studied.

Social security Mechanisms

Formal and informal security mechanisms are important resources to strengthen adaptation. Formal mechanisms include credit and crop insurance, crop mortgages with public agencies, crop subsidies and state social security systems. Informal mechanisms, on the other hand may be informal loans, supporting the worst off, multi cropping systems. There has been limited research on formal and informal access to these resources.

Livelihood Security

Climate change would affect agricultural production systems and fisheries systems on which poor fisher-folk and marginal farmers are dependent. Research is needed to understand the threats to their livelihoods and mechanisms to strengthen their adaptive capacity. Research programs should link meteorological programs to local levels, and enhancing access to such information. Institutions such as cooperatives that can enhance linkages with the market and increase productivity should also be taken into consideration in the research. Possible livelihood transition through education and skills imparted by public agencies, voluntary organizations are crucial. Forces that seek to muffle the voices of small and marginalized people in national policy planning should be researched and identified.

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* Contributed by: -
Suddhachit Mitra, is a research (M. Phil) student of Management at the West Bengal University of Technology, Kolkata.