DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The communities in the HoA have for a long time come under serious threats from shocks that led to livelihood disruptions. These communities have lived in this environment for decades and have coped with varying degrees of shocks. However, some of the coping strategies have long been abandoned while others simply cannot work anymore. This is because the human and climate change induced shocks have become more frequent and destructive. HARDA have put in place community managed disaster risk reduction (CMDRR) program that ensures that our programs and activities are informed by the outcome of the CMDRR and proper mitigation
Climate change adaptation and mitigation
Humans contribute to climate change through their numerous activities including agriculture. Crop production and livestock are implicated because of their contribution to greenhouse gases (GHGs). Livestock production for example, produce about 14% of GHGs. In order to reduce climate change impacts HARDA will support adaptation and mitigation measures.
Mitigation
Perhaps the most important mitigating action is to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released as a result of activities that occur on rangelands. For instance, managing livestock for enhanced efficiency and performance can reduce the amount of methane released as a result of enteric fermentation. Rangeland soils and vegetation are large stores of soil carbon and can be managed to enhance that uptake.
Adaptation
The key to managing rangelands successfully in a changing global environment is maintaining and enhancing
ecosystem resilience. Resilience is that property of an ecosystem that defines how well it can recover after
disturbance or stress has been imposed.
HARDA will disseminate rangeland management technologies to help maintain and enhance its resilience. These
technologies include: -
- Rangeland reseeding and fodder production
- Water harvesting
- Livelihood diversification (bee keeping, poultry etc.)
- Livestock breeding and breed improvement
- Human and Animal health management