CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIO-DIVERSITY

Climate Change and Bio-diversity has become an important development discourse globally and locally. Protecting biodiversity and designing appropriate and effective strategies to address climate change is essential for sustainable economic development, a healthy environment and for food security. It has become clear for the scientific community that the linkages between Community, Climate Change and Conservation are deeper than they appear to be. In most parts of rural landscapes, the communities too have begun to form a collective understanding about climate change, bio-diversity and livelihoods. Changing monsoon cycles, delayed onset of monsoon, flash floods and increasing cycles of droughts are the important issues affecting the community. For farmers, the choice of crops and varieties are highly dependent on the climate. Since the climate is changing, so is cropping seasons and choices made by the farmers. Due to these changes, some areas are experiencing torrential rains and flash floods while other regions have been deserted by rains for a long time. This is a direct impact of climate change closely experienced by people. This is because such changes on local and regional levels certainly affect the livelihoods and food security.As a volunteer, you will be assigned to work with organisations who are involved in developing mechanisms of adaptations among the rural communities, who are at the frontline to experience the effects of climate change. The first step is to create awareness among the community about climate change and the need of local level adaptations. You will be working with communities to generate such awareness about climate change and bio-diversity, by designing new livelihood options in response to changing climatic conditions, and build resilience within the ecosystems as well as among local communities to prepare the landscapes for adaptation. Conducting surveys, documentations, policy advocacy, designing appropriate IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials, community awareness and education, training and capacity building will be the primary responsibility for the volunteers who opt to work on this theme.