Farmers’ livelihood strategies and sensitivity to climate change: Evidence from southwest China

Abstract

Although urbanization has deeply changed farmers’ livelihoods, the improvement of their adaptation to climate change is not yet particularly clear, due to many interactive pressures and complex differences in farmers’ livelihood strategies. This study uses 2-year household survey panel data from Na’Yong and Zhen’Xiong in southwest China, both of which are typically affected by meteorological disasters. First, we constructed a multi-dimensional induction of sensitivity indicators. Then, we divided farmers’ livelihood strategies and identified their sensitivity levels. Finally, we extracted the typical characteristics of farmers’ livelihood strategies that contribute to low sensitivity. The research shows that although non-agricultural labour can improve the income level of farmers, there is no clear positive relationship between farmers’ income and their sensitivity. Levels of sensitivity depend not only on the risk of farmers with a higher exposure to the natural environment but also on the ability of farmers to disperse and avoid natural risks. Livelihood strategies with lower sensitivities have three main characteristics: diversification, marketization and ecological sustainability. This study provides a practical basis for the sustainable livelihood of farmers in the context of climate change and attempts to provide a reference for other developing countries towards the end of achieving ecological poverty alleviation.