Strengthening Trust in Climate Adaptation Science through Community-Based Evidence: Insights from Southern Africa.Community Science/Research
Oral Presentation
Prepared by B. Musevenzo
Evidence 4 Impact 360, 15A Russel Avenue, Greendale, Athlone, 15A Russel Avenue, Greendale, Harare, Harare, Zimbabwe
Contact Information: [email protected]; +263 776374187
ABSTRACT
Climate change intensified the frequency, severity, and intensity of droughts in Southern Africa, disproportionately affecting rural households in arid regions, where livelihoods are highly dependent on rain-fed agriculture. This study examines drought resilience and adaptation strategies through a community science and participatory monitoring lens, highlighting how locally embedded knowledge systems function as low-cost environmental measurement and decision-support tools in climate-vulnerable contexts.
Using a qualitative, community-engaged research methodology, the study worked with rural households as co-producers of environmental evidence. Data were generated through participatory discussions, community mapping, seasonal calendars, and locally maintained observations documenting rainfall patterns, drought onset, livelihood stress signals, and coping thresholds. These approaches enabled communities to systematically track environmental change and adapt livelihood strategies in the absence of formal instrumentation.
Findings indicate that drought adaptation responses are strongly shaped by location-specific environmental observations and livelihood ecosystems. Households adjusted differently to life beyond agriculture, guided by Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) such as phenological indicators, water-point monitoring, and traditional drought forecasting. These locally derived insights function as informal environmental monitoring mechanisms, guiding household-level decision-making in the absence of formal measurement tools.
In contrast, externally driven drought adaptation interventions while technically sound, were undermined by limited community participation in data generation, inconsistent inputs, and dependence on external financing. This disconnect weakened community trust in externally produced evidence and prescribed adaptation solutions once project support ended.
The study demonstrates that strengthening public trust in climate science and adaptation policy requires integrating community-based monitoring systems with formal scientific measurement approaches. Effective drought adaptation must be participatory, gender-responsive, and grounded in locally generated data, combining Indigenous Knowledge with modern science, mobile-based reporting, and community learning platforms. The research concludes that transitioning from prescriptive, aid-dependent interventions to co-created, evidence-driven adaptation models is essential for building sustainable resilience and restoring trust between communities, scientists, and policymakers.
