Understanding and addressing the economic effects of climate change has been the focus of research and policy strategies.
The non-economic aspects are less important. In Ghana, I study food and agricultural systems.
My colleagues and I recently published a paper in which we attempted to understand the non-economic effects of climate change on farmers in Ghana.
Our findings have implications for global south climate change adaptation strategies and policies.
It is important to note that our research does not imply that climate change is the only factor influencing changes in Ghana's farming systems and local culture. However, based on the interviews we conducted, we contend that climate change is a factor
Farmers In Ghana Can't Predict Rainfall Anymore
CRISTINA ALDEHUELA/AFP via Getty Images
In Offinso, a farming area in southern Ghana, we conducted 30 in-depth interviews and a focus group with farmers, as per Phys.org.
Offinso has a long history of producing both food and cash crops in Ghana. Farmers in the area grow crops such as maize, vegetables, pawpaw, and cocoa. Agriculture in the region is primarily rain-fed.
Farmers were asked to describe weather patterns over the course of 30 years. Their responses revealed that they had experienced variable weather patterns, which had an impact on their farming activities.
Farmers, for example, could no longer predict rainfall patterns or farming seasons. Farmers reported that rains were consistent during specific months of the year 30 years ago. They were able to predict rains and the start of the farming season, allowing them to plan and organize their yearly farming activities.
As a result, farmers could no longer exchange labor in a system known as Nnoboa. Farmers explained that when they could predict the farming season, they organized themselves for Nnoboa at the start of the season.
This is frequently based on the principle of helping one another on the farm to strengthen social bonds.
However, the unpredictable nature of the rains had thrown off the farming seasons and the organization of Nnoboa - communal labor.
Farmers instead relied on nuclear families or hired labor. This reflected a much more individualistic, rather than communal, approach to farming.
We also asked farmers to explain how climate change has affected their mental health. We asked them to describe how climate change made them feel anxious, depressed, grief-stricken, helpless, hopeless, and sad.
They explained that extreme weather events like storms and droughts had destroyed their crops, leaving them emotionally distraught, helpless, and sad.
Extreme weather events are not new to farmers, according to the responses. Nonetheless, they stated that major changes in weather patterns had become more common.
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The way forward
Global efforts are being made to reduce carbon emissions. Changing weather patterns, drought, and storm conditions, however, continue to have an economic and non-economic impact on vulnerable people, as per Conversation.
The neglect of non-economic aspects of climate change in research and policy threatens to exacerbate farmers' vulnerability.
This gap must be filled in order to develop appropriate conventional and local adaptation strategies and policies to address the effects of climate change in developing countries.
