Integrated development, risk management and community-based climate change adaptation in a mountain-plains system in Northern Tanzania

Abstract

This paper presents a preliminary analysis of work conducted along altitudinal gradients in the mountains and plains of northern Tanzania. We find evidence of a high degree of interdependence among groups of people of different language/cultural groups and socio-economic status interacting along environmental gradients from high to low altitude. We call this “socio-geographical adaptation” to climate change. However, our analysis and discussion adds complexity to any simple notion of “adaptation to climate change” since changes are multiple and adaptation is complex.

Keywords

• governance
• climate change
• livelihood
• interdependence
• complexity