IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/climat/v160y2020i1d10.1007_s10584-020-02704-7.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Comparing climate change perceptions and meteorological data in rural West Africa to improve the understanding of household decisions to migrate

Author

Listed:
  • Florence De Longueville

    (Department of Geography & Intitute of Life-Earth-Environment, University of Namur)

  • Pierre Ozer

    (The Hugo Observatory, Department of Geography, University of Liège)

  • François Gemenne

    (The Hugo Observatory, Department of Geography, University of Liège)

  • Sabine Henry

    (Department of Geography & Intitute of Life-Earth-Environment, University of Namur)

  • Ole Mertz

    (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen)

  • Jonas Ø. Nielsen

    (Geography Department, Humboldt University zu Berlin)

Abstract

Largely dependent on rain-fed agriculture, the West African populations could be severely impacted by climate change and variability. In this paper, we performed a literature review relating to perceptions of climate change and variability in West Africa, followed by an in-depth comparison between perceptions by rural dwellers of Burkina Faso and trends in meteorological data to discuss the importance of perceptions vis-à-vis climate trends in migration decision. Results showed that respondents perceived increasing temperature and worsening rainfall conditions over 1988–2007 matching with findings of previous studies but inconsistent with the trends observed in rainfall data. Given that climate change is recognized as a key driver of mobility on the one hand and the fact that climate change perceptions influence decision to migrate on the other hand, our results suggest to jointly include perceptions and climate data in future research on environmental migration in order to improve the understanding of household’s decision in response to climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Florence De Longueville & Pierre Ozer & François Gemenne & Sabine Henry & Ole Mertz & Jonas Ø. Nielsen, 2020. "Comparing climate change perceptions and meteorological data in rural West Africa to improve the understanding of household decisions to migrate," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 160(1), pages 123-141, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:160:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10584-020-02704-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-020-02704-7
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10584-020-02704-7
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10584-020-02704-7?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yves Yao Soglo & Gbêtondji Melaine Armel Nonvide, 2019. "Climate change perceptions and responsive strategies in Benin: the case of maize farmers," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 155(2), pages 245-256, July.
    2. Peter Howe & Jagadish Thaker & Anthony Leiserowitz, 2014. "Public perceptions of rainfall change in India," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 127(2), pages 211-225, November.
    3. Justice Tambo & Tahirou Abdoulaye, 2012. "Climate change and agricultural technology adoption: the case of drought tolerant maize in rural Nigeria," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 277-292, March.
    4. Marion Borderon & Patrick Sakdapolrak & Raya Muttarak & Endale Kebede & Raffaella Pagogna & Eva Sporer, 2019. "Migration influenced by environmental change in Africa: A systematic review of empirical evidence," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 41(18), pages 491-544.
    5. Frédéric Kosmowski & Antoine Leblois & Benjamin Sultan, 2016. "Perceptions of recent rainfall changes in Niger: a comparison between climate-sensitive and non-climate sensitive households," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 135(2), pages 227-241, March.
    6. Clark Gray & Erika Wise, 2016. "Country-specific effects of climate variability on human migration," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 135(3), pages 555-568, April.
    7. Oecd, 2009. "Climate Change and Africa," OECD Journal: General Papers, OECD Publishing, vol. 2009(1), pages 5-35.
    8. Frédéric Kosmowski & Antoine Leblois & Benjamin Sultan, 2016. "Perceptions of recent rainfall changes in Niger: a comparison between climate-sensitive and non-climate sensitive households," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 135(2), pages 227-241, March.
    9. Vally Koubi & Sebastian Stoll & Gabriele Spilker, 2016. "Perceptions of environmental change and migration decisions," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 138(3), pages 439-451, October.
    10. B. Fosu-Mensah & P. Vlek & D. MacCarthy, 2012. "Farmers’ perception and adaptation to climate change: a case study of Sekyedumase district in Ghana," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 495-505, August.
    11. Andrei Marin & Fikret Berkes, 2013. "Local people's accounts of climate change: to what extent are they influenced by the media?," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 4(1), pages 1-8, January.
    12. Rasmussen, Laura Vang & Rasmussen, Kjeld & Reenberg, Anette & Proud, Simon, 2012. "A system dynamics approach to land use changes in agro-pastoral systems on the desert margins of Sahel," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 56-64.
    13. Etienne Piguet, 2010. "Linking climate change, environmental degradation, and migration: a methodological overview," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 1(4), pages 517-524, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Martina Angela Caretta & Valeria Fanghella & Pam Rittelmeyer & Jaishri Srinivasan & Prajjwal K. Panday & Jagadish Parajuli & Ritu Priya & E. B. Uday Bhaskar Reddy & Cydney Kate Seigerman & Aditi Mukhe, 2023. "Migration as adaptation to freshwater and inland hydroclimatic changes? A meta-review of existing evidence," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 176(8), pages 1-22, August.
    2. András Darabant & Birgit Habermann & Kibruyesfa Sisay & Christopher Thurnher & Yonas Worku & Selamawit Damtew & Mara Lindtner & Leisa Burrell & Abrham Abiyu, 2020. "Farmers’ perceptions and matching climate records jointly explain adaptation responses in four communities around Lake Tana, Ethiopia," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 163(1), pages 481-497, November.
    3. Lore Van Praag & Samuel Lietaer & Caroline Michellier, 2021. "A Qualitative Study on How Perceptions of Environmental Changes are Linked to Migration in Morocco, Senegal, and DR Congo," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/333295, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    4. Ozer, Pierre & Dembele, Adama & Yameogo, Simplice S. & Hut, Elodie & de Longueville, Florence, 2022. "The impact of COVID-19 on the living and survival conditions of internally displaced persons in Burkina Faso," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 25(C).
    5. Helbling, Marc & Auer, Daniel & Meierrieks, Daniel & Mistry, Malcolm & Schaub, Max, 2021. "Climate change literacy and migration potential: micro-level evidence from Africa," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 169(1-2), pages 1-1.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. András Darabant & Birgit Habermann & Kibruyesfa Sisay & Christopher Thurnher & Yonas Worku & Selamawit Damtew & Mara Lindtner & Leisa Burrell & Abrham Abiyu, 2020. "Farmers’ perceptions and matching climate records jointly explain adaptation responses in four communities around Lake Tana, Ethiopia," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 163(1), pages 481-497, November.
    2. Andrew M. Linke & Frank D. W. Witmer & John O’Loughlin, 2020. "Do people accurately report droughts? Comparison of instrument-measured and national survey data in Kenya," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 162(3), pages 1143-1160, October.
    3. Jonathan Salerno & Jeremy E. Diem & Bronwen L. Konecky & Joel Hartter, 2019. "Recent intensification of the seasonal rainfall cycle in equatorial Africa revealed by farmer perceptions, satellite-based estimates, and ground-based station measurements," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 153(1), pages 123-139, March.
    4. Frédéric Kosmowski & Antoine Leblois & Benjamin Sultan, 2016. "Perceptions of recent rainfall changes in Niger: a comparison between climate-sensitive and non-climate sensitive households," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 135(2), pages 227-241, March.
    5. Philippe Delacote & Julia Girard & Antoine Leblois, 2019. "Agricultural households' adaptation to weather shocks in Sub-Saharan Africa: What implications for land-use change and deforestation," Working Papers 1902, Chaire Economie du climat.
    6. Rahman, H.M. Tuihedur & Mia, Md. Ekhlas & Ford, James D. & Robinson, Brian E. & Hickey, Gordon M., 2018. "Livelihood exposure to climatic stresses in the north-eastern floodplains of Bangladesh," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 199-214.
    7. Antoine Leblois, 2021. "Mitigating the impact of bad rainy seasons in poor agricultural regions to tackle deforestation," Post-Print hal-03111007, HAL.
    8. Cook, Aaron M. & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob E. & Sesmero, Juan P., 2013. "How do African households adapt to climate change? Evidence from Malawi," 2013 Annual Meeting, August 4-6, 2013, Washington, D.C. 150507, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    9. Nyadzi, Emmanuel, 2016. "Climate Variability Since 1970 and Farmers’ Observations in Northern Ghana," Sustainable Agriculture Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 5(2).
    10. Alejandro del Pozo & Nidia Brunel-Saldias & Alejandra Engler & Samuel Ortega-Farias & Cesar Acevedo-Opazo & Gustavo A. Lobos & Roberto Jara-Rojas & Marco A. Molina-Montenegro, 2019. "Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies of Agriculture in Mediterranean-Climate Regions (MCRs)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-16, May.
    11. Lore Van Praag & Samuel Lietaer & Caroline Michellier, 2021. "A Qualitative Study on How Perceptions of Environmental Changes are Linked to Migration in Morocco, Senegal, and DR Congo," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/333295, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    12. Theodoros Skevas & Ray Massey & Jasper Grashuis, 2022. "Farmer adoption and intensity of use of extreme weather adaptation and mitigation strategies: evidence from a sample of Missouri farmers," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 174(1), pages 1-23, September.
    13. Alistair Munro, 2020. "Using experimental manipulation of questionnaire design and a Kenyan panel to test for the reliability of reported perceptions of climate change and adaptation," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 162(3), pages 1081-1105, October.
    14. Md. Jahangir Kabir & Mohammad Alauddin & Steven Crimp, 2016. "Farm-level Adaptation to Climate Change in Western Bangladesh: An Analysis of Adaptation Dynamics, Profitability and Risks," Discussion Papers Series 576, School of Economics, University of Queensland, Australia.
    15. N & a Kaji Budhathoki, "undated". "Climate Change: Perceptions, Reality and Agricultural Practice: Evidence from Nepal," Working papers 123, The South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics.
    16. Wang, Weijun & Zhao, Xueyan & Cao, Jianjun & Li, Hua & Zhang, Qin, 2020. "Barriers and requirements to climate change adaptation of mountainous rural communities in developing countries: The case of the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    17. Mustafa, Ghulam & Latif, Ismail Abd & Ashfaq, Muhammad & Bashir, Muhammad Khalid & Shamsudin, Mad Nasir & Wan Daud, Wan Mohamed Noordin, 2017. "Adaptation Process To Climate Change In Agriculture- An Empirical Study," International Journal of Food and Agricultural Economics (IJFAEC), Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Department of Economics and Finance, vol. 5(4), October.
    18. Ujjal Deka Baruah & Anup Saikia & Scott M. Robeson & Nitashree Mili & Pritam Chand, 2021. "Perceptions and adaptation behavior of farmers to climate change in the upper Brahmaputra Valley, India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(10), pages 15529-15549, October.
    19. Hou, L. & Min, S. & Huang, Q. & Huang, J., 2018. "Farmers perceptions of, ex ante and ex post adaptations to drought: Empirical evidence from maize farmers in China," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277208, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    20. Helbling, Marc & Auer, Daniel & Meierrieks, Daniel & Mistry, Malcolm & Schaub, Max, 2021. "Climate change literacy and migration potential: micro-level evidence from Africa," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 169(1-2), pages 1-1.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:160:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10584-020-02704-7. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.