Climate Change and Livelihood Issues: Some Empirical Evidences

Abstract

Climate Change has now being acceptable and perceptible phenomena amongst people residing in
rural areas. One of the greatest impacts is disruption of livelihoods, especially of rural communities
because they have large dependency upon climate sensitive natural resources for their livelihood. In
the present study, four villages from two tehsils of Sikar District, Rajasthan have been studied to
ascertain the livelihood vulnerabilities of households. The study is based upon indicator approach
and the vulnerability has been calculated following the IPCC Third Assessment Report’s
considerations about vulnerability. The villages and the households have been selected through
random sampling technique and a questionnaire was administered amongst the selected household to
find out various socio-economic parameters. Data collected have been analyzed using Principal
Component analysis, by assigning weights to each indicator, which were further aggregated in to
exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity indices. Livelihood vulnerability index has been calculated
for the villages and tehsils. Adaptation Options being followed by households have also been studied
.Focus group discussions were also carried out in the communities and the perceptions gathered were
compiled. The empirical findings have been analyzed and the level of vulnerability between two
tehsils has been compared. The results have been discussed and suggestions have been given for
wider policy implications.

Key words: Climate Change, Livelihood, Indicator approach, Vulnerability, Adaptation.