New Study Reveals Farmers' Climate Change Perspectives in Bangladesh's Wetland Areas

8 June 2024

Photo: Kabir

Researchers at the University of Hamburg, including Dr. Khondokar Kabir and Prof. Uwe Schneider have conducted a study on farmers' perspectives on climate change adaptation in Bangladesh's wetland regions. Titled "Three faces of climate change: Using Q-methodology to understand farmers’ perspectives of climate change and adaptive capacity in Bangladesh’s wetland areas," the research uncovers diverse views and adaptive behaviors among farmers facing evolving climatic conditions.

Through the innovative Q-methodology, the team identified three distinct "faces" of climate change as perceived by farmers, highlighting unique responses and coping strategies within different communities. The study's emphasizes the importance of tailored adaptation approaches that incorporate local knowledge and socio-economic dynamics to effectively respond to climate change, build resilience and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

This research exemplifies the University of Hamburg's dedication to interdisciplinary studies addressing environmental challenges with practical, community-oriented solutions. Dr. Khondokar Kabir, the lead author of the study, was a visiting researcher at FNK from February 2021 to March 2022, supported by an International Climate Protection Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. He currently works at the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development at the University of Guelph, Canada, maintaining an affiliation with FNK and continuing collaboration on various rural projects. The study contributes to the C2 project Sustainable Land-Use Scenarios within Hamburg's excellence cluster Climate, Climate change, and society (CLICCS).