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Publication
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| Research Title |
The perception of climate variability and its impact on communities in Northeast Thailand |
| Date of Distribution |
16 August 2012 |
| Conference |
| Title of the Conference |
The 4th International Conference on Public Health among Greater Mekong Sub-Regional Countries |
| Organiser |
School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University |
| Conference Place |
Kunming Medical University |
| Province/State |
Kunming, Unnan, China |
| Conference Date |
15 August 2012 |
| To |
16 August 2012 |
| Proceeding Paper |
| Volume |
2012 |
| Issue |
1 |
| Page |
321-322 |
| Editors/edition/publisher |
School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University |
| Abstract |
Background: A community’s vulnerability to climate change is dependent on exposure to impacts, degree of sensitivity and adaptive capacity held within. Communities in northeast Thailand are among those who have been affected by climate change, experiencing increasingly severe drought and flood conditions. Extensive drought in certain areas has led to a decrease in agriculture productivity and water availability, while heavy rains in short periods have induced sudden flooding, damaging rice paddies near the river. Water is one of the important determinants of health. Many significant diseases can be prevented by improving water supply, availability of sanitation facilities, hygiene practices and management of water resources. As a result community health has come to depend greatly on climate and catchment water resource management. There is little research on climate vulnerability and communities in Thailand. This study aims to assess community perceptions and experiences of climate variability impacts, particularly of drought and flood, in northeast Thailand.
Methodology: Data was collected during April to May, 2011 in Huai Sai Bat river basin, northeast Thailand. The study employed two methods for data collection. The first method was interview of representatives from random 400 households in the study area by structured questionnaire. The second method was focus group discussions among community representatives and related key informants. Descriptive statistics were used for their explanation.
Results & Discussion: Data collected by questionnaire show that 89.25% of household representatives are aware of climate variability and/or change, with 47.75% having experienced events related to climate variability in the last 10 years. The majority of respondents (82.71%) report experiencing drought, which decreased agricultural production of crops including rice and sugar cane. In relation to perceived trends in the frequency of events relating to climate variability over the last 10 years; 43.75% of respondents believed the number of drought had increased, 47.5% said the numbers of days of extreme heat had increased, and 46.75% stated that the onset of the rainy season was delayed more frequently and its seasonality had also increased. When asked about their preparations to deal with impacts from climate variability, respondents preferred to think about resolutions to a problem once it arose, even if it meant experiencing a fall in agricultural production while waiting for rain water. One suggestion for coping with climate variability (made by 16.3% of respondents) is to develop irrigation and water sources that provide sufficient water supply in the dry season. The household survey indicated rain water was the main source of drinking water and that some families who experience a shortage, as a result of drought and flood, purchased water for consumption. However, the majority of household representatives said in the dry season they had to utilize groundwater for personal consumption, placing them at increased risk of using contaminated water and water related diseases, such as diarrhea and parasitic infections, adding a burden of caretaking during critical months. Results from focus group discussions show that participants have experienced changes in climate, characterized by increased uncertainty and strong variability in local patterns, for example dry spells, delayed seasons, drought resulting in water scarcity and the complete drying of the Huai Sai Bat main stream. Groundwater can be used as a supplementary water source; however salinity is a local problem. The focus groups perceived an increase in plant disease epidemics and pest attacks as a result of climate variability and/or change. These problems have led farmers to use more pesticides, increasing production costs and negatively impacting the environment. Villagers are currently trying to deal with climate variability by providing more containers to store water for consumption and changing crop types in favour of those short-lived and requiring less water. Most participants believe that climate variability will worsen in the future and related events will increase in frequency. Focus group participants believe these changes are generally thought to be the result of deforestation of the catchment area, although another reason cited was natural climate variability.
Conclusion & Recommendation: Communities in northeast Thailand have perceived and experienced climate variability. Recommendations for these communities include better management of water resources, making them safe for recreational use and reducing the transmission of water related diseases.
Keywords: Climate variability, Climate impacts, Community perception and experience
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| Peer Review Status |
ไม่มีผู้ประเมินอิสระ |
| Level of Conference |
นานาชาติ |
| Type of Proceeding |
Abstract |
| Type of Presentation |
Oral |
| Part of thesis |
true |
| Presentation awarding |
false |
| Attach file |
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| Citation |
0
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Journal Publication
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