Abstract:
Climate variability and change are among the biggest challenges of the 21st century. Like in many
other areas globally, the coastal communities of Tanzania have always been facing climatic variability
at various time scales. Using focus group discussion and a household survey, this study analyzes
the perceptions of climate variability and change and the strategies for coping and adaptation
by the selected coastal rural and peri-urban communities in Tanzania. The perception of climate
variability and change is complemented with the time-series analysis of rainfall and temperature
data from Julius Nyerere International Airport Met. station and Kisarawe using Instant
Statistical Software. Results indicate that households are aware of climate variability and identify
indicators of climate change and variability as being decreasing rainfall trends, increasing incidences
of droughts, unpredictable rainfall patterns, disappearance of wetlands and failure to predict
on-set of rainy season using traditional knowledge. Households primarily attribute reduced
crop yields to changes in rainfall pattern and increasing incidences of drought leading to soil
moisture stress. The implications are that the agriculture dependent households are now food insecure.
As a way of coping to the observed changes, the coastal communities among others have
shifted to production of high value horticultural crops and use of forest resources. Nevertheless,
the increased use of forest resources is threatening the existence of coastal forests and contributes
to the decline of forest resources and disappearance of wildlife in the forest reserves. It is
concluded that the communities studied are aware of climate issues as revealed from perceived
indicators of climate variability and changes. The results from statistical analysis of 30 years climatic
data are consistent with community’s perception of climate variability and change. The
study recommends examining the present coping strategies for the sustainability of the coastal forests and in designing of alternative adaptive strategies such as alternative energy options, crop
diversification and environmental friendly activities such as beekeeping.
