Climate Information for the Local Decision-Maker

R. DeFriesColumbia University, New York

A mismatch in scales

(DeFries et al., 2012)

Baseline household survey from CCAFS (Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security)

4000 households in 12 countries

(Wood et al., in review, Global Environmental Change)

Weather information is significantly associated with change in 3 of 4 regions

(Wood et al., in review)

Climate/weather is one among many reasons that small-holder farmers report change in practices

Reasons for change vary across regions

Types of change: Improved varieties, timing, land management, fertilizer

Most research on climate adaptation done in temperate locations although major impacts in tropics

Author Institution country

Study country

1

2-4

5-10

10+

(Jain et al., in prep)

• Climate and weather information is one of many reasons why farmers make changes. Local context essential to formulate policies for climate adaptation and mitigation.

• Research framework needs to include long term outcomes and impacts of national/ international policies