Adaptation as a Means to an End: Conceptual Underpinnings and Empirical Affirmations

Winfred Abdulai Nelson; Clifford Amoako; Rudith King; Philip Antwi-Agyei; Samuel Kwofie

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11

| Peer-Reviewed

Adaptation as a Means to an End: Conceptual Underpinnings and Empirical Affirmations

Winfred Abdulai Nelson, Clifford Amoako, Rudith King, Philip Antwi-Agyei, Samuel Kwofie

Published in American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering (Volume 6, Issue 4)

Received: 28 August 2022 Accepted: 18 October 2022 Published: 28 October 2022

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Rooted in the concept of adaptation are change, action, stimulus, means and end. Whilst these elements are fundamental in clarifying the complex actor relationships surrounding adaptation, literature has tended to concentrate on the end (adaptation practice). Inherent in the provisions of interventions aimed at minimizing the specific impacts of climate change is the notion that adaptation will be automatically triggered. This article, which focuses on concepts and theories, argues that adaptation is more than mere action or what is usually described as the end. Using the Theory of Action (ToA) and the Framework for Analyzing Climate Change Adaptation as Actions (FACCAA), this article attempts to clarify the relationships between the key terminologies and contributes to knowledge on the adaptation discourse. Using empirical shreds of evidence from the Talensi District, the article underscores the proposition that water interventions are not necessarily adaptation practices neither are they automatic activators of adaptation. They are rather means expected to propel action for adaptation. The article concludes that elements, such as change, action, and means, are of equal importance as the popularly documented adaptation practice (end). All the elements deserve equal attention to unravel the complexities underpinning the concept of adaptation.

Published in	American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering (Volume 6, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11
Page(s)	155-164
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Adaptation, Action, Means and End, Change, Water Interventions

References

[1]	Adger, N., Huq, S., Brown, K., Conway, D., and Hulme, M. (2003). Adaptation to climate change in the developing world. Progress in Development Studies, 3, 179–195. https://doi.org/10.1191/1464993403ps060oa
[2]	Adger, N. W., Lorenzoni, I. and O’Brien, K. (2009) Adapting to Climate Change: Thresholds, Values, Governance. Edited by N. W. Adger, I. Lorenzoni, and K. O’Brien. Cambridge University Press.
[3]	Amekudzi, L. K. et al. (2015) ‘Variabilities in Rainfall Onset, Cessation and Length of Rainy Season for the Various Agro-Ecological Zones of Ghana’, pp. 416–434. doi: 10.3390/cli3020416.
[4]	Antwi-Agyei, P., Fraser, E. D. G., Dougill, A. J., Stringer, L. C., and Simelton, E. (2012). Mapping the vulnerability of crop production to drought in Ghana using rainfall, yield and socioeconomic data. Applied Geography, 32 (2), 324–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2011.06.010
[5]	van Asselt, H., Mehliing, M. and Siebert, C. K. (2014) ‘The Changing Architecture of International Climate Change Law’, in van Calster, G., Vandenberghe, W., Reins, L. (ed.) Research Handbook on Climate Mitigation Law. 1st edn. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
[6]	Balbus, J. M., Boxall, A. B., Fenske, R. A., McKone, T. E. and Zeise, L., 2013. Implications of global climate change for the assessment and management of human health risks of chemicals in the natural environment. Environmental toxicology and chemistry, 32 (1), pp. 62-78.
[7]	Bassett, T. J. and Fogelman, C. (2013) ‘Geoforum Déjà vu or something new ? The adaptation concept in the climate change literature’, Geoforum. Elsevier Ltd, 48, pp. 42–53. doi: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2013.04.010.
[8]	Bawakyillenuo, S., Yaro, J. A. and Teye, J. (2014) ‘Exploring the autonomous adaptation strategies to climate change and climate variability in selected villages in the rural northern savannah zone of Ghana’, Local Environment, (June 2015), pp. 1–22. doi: 10.1080/13549839.2014.965671.
[9]	Bayeh, B. and Alemayehu, M. (2019) ‘Scientific Community Debates on Causes and Consequences of Global Warming : Scientific Community Debates on Causes and Consequences of Global Warming : Review’, (March).
[10]	Biesbroek, G. R., Swart R. J., Carter R. T., Henrichs, T., Rey, D. (2010) ‘Europe adapts to climate change : Comparing National Adaptation Strategies’, Global Environmental Change, 20 (3), pp. 440–450. doi: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2010.03.005.
[11]	Biesbroek, R., Klostermann, J. and Kabat, P. (2013) ‘On the nature of barriers to climate change adaptation’, (October). doi: 10.1007/s10113-013-0421-y.
[12]	O’Brien K, Eriksen S, Inderberg TH, Sygna L (2014) Climate change and development: Adaptation through transformation. In: Håkon Inderberg T, Eriksen S, O’Brien K and Sygna L (Eds). Climate Change Adaptation and Development: Transforming Paradigms and Practices. Routledge: Abingdon, UK, pp 273–289.
[13]	Brooks, N. (2003) ‘Vulnerability, risk and adaptation : A conceptual framework’, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. University of East Anglia.
[14]	Dittoh, S., Awuni, J. A. and Akuriba, M. A. (2013) ‘Small pumps and the poor : a field survey in the Upper East Region of Ghana’, 8060 (December). doi: 10.1080/02508060.2013.819454.
[15]	Eisenack, K. and Stecker, R. (2011) ‘An Action Theory of Adaptation to Climate Change’, Earth System Governance Working Paper No. 13. Lund and Amsterdam: Earth System Governance Project. Available at: http://www.climate-chameleon.de/htm/documents/ESG-WorkingPaper-13_EisenackandStecker.pdf.
[16]	Eisenack, K. and Stecker, R. (2012) ‘A framework for analyzing climate change adaptations as actions’, Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 17, pp. 243–260. doi: 10.1007/s11027-011-9323-9.
[17]	Ensor, J. Berger, R. (2009) Understanding climate change adaptation: Lessons Pub., from community-based approaches. New York: Practical Action.
[18]	Eriksen S, Aldunce P, Bahinipati CS, Martins RD, Molefe JI, Nhemachena C, O’Brien K, Olorunfemi F, Park J, Sygna L, Ulsrud K (2011) when not every response to climate change is a good one: identifying principles for sustainable adaptation. Climate and Development 3, 7–20. doi: 10.3763/cdev.2010.0060.
[19]	Fishbein, M. and Ajzen, I. (1975) Belief Attitude, Intention and Behaviour. An INtroduction to Theory and Research. Reading M A: Addison-Wisley.
[20]	Frankfurt, H. G. (2017) ‘North American Philosophical Publications The Problem of Action X. THE PROBLEM OF ACTION’, 15 (2), pp. 157–162.
[21]	Futuyama, D. (1979) Evolutionary Biology. MA, USA: Sinauuer Associates Inc,.
[22]	Ghansah, Benjamin, Forkuo, Kwabena Eric, Osei, Frimpong Emmanuel, Appoh, Kofi Richard, Asare Yaw Mensah, Klutse, N. A. B. (2018) ‘Mapping the spatial distribution of small reservoirs in the White Volta Sub-basin of Ghana’, Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment, 9, pp. 107–115.
[23]	Hall, J. (2007) ‘Probabilistic Climate Scenarios may represent uncertainty and lead to bad adaptation decisions.’, Hydrological Processes, 21 (8), pp. 1127–1129. doi: http//dx.doi.org/10.1002/hyp.6573.
[24]	Hall, R. (2013) ‘Mixed Methods : In Search of a Paradigm’, Conducting Research in a Changing and Challenging World, pp 71–78. Available at: http://auamii.com/proceedings_phuket_2012/hall.pdf.
[25]	Harris, B. J. M. and Roach, B. (2007) ‘The Economics of Global Climate Change’, p. 42. Available at: http://www.economicsnetwork.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Brian Roach/The_Economics_of_Global_Climate_Change.pdf.
[26]	Huitema, D., W. N. Adger, F. Berkhout, E. Massey, D. Mazmanian, S. Munaretto, R. Plummer, and C. C. J. A. M. Termeer. 2016. The governance of adaptation: choices, reasons, and effects. Introduction to the Special Feature. Ecology and Society 21 (3): 37. http://dx. doi.org/10.5751/ES-08797-21033
[27]	Innes, J. E. and Booher, D. E. (2010) Planning with Complexity: An introduction to collaborative rationality for public policy, Planning with Complexity. New York. doi: 10.4324/9781315147949.
[28]	Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2007) ‘Climate Change 2007: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability: contribution of Working Group II to the fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel’, Genebra, Suíça, p. 976 pp. doi: 10.1256/004316502320517344.
[29]	IPCC (2001) ‘Climate CHange 2001: the Scientific Basis’.
[30]	IPCC (2012) Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation. A Special Report of Working Groups I and II of the Intergovental Panel on Climate Change. Edited by C. B. Field et al. Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/CBO9781139177245.
[31]	IPCC (2014) ‘IPCC 2014 WG2: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (SPM)’. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2009.11.012.
[32]	Jones, L. and Boyd, E., 2011. Exploring social barriers to adaptation: insights from Western Nepal. Global environmental change, 21 (4), pp. 1262-1274.
[33]	Klein, R. J. T. and Juhola, S. (2014) ‘A framework for Nordic actor-oriented climate adaptation research’, Environmental Science and Policy. Elsevier Ltd, 40, pp. 101–115. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2014.01.011.
[34]	Leiserowitz A. (2012) ‘Weather, Climate and (Especially) Society’, Weather, Climate and Society, 4, pp. 87–89. doi: http: //dx.doi.org/10.1175/WCAS-D-12-00025.1.
[35]	Levina, E. and Tirpak, D. (2006) Adaptation to Climate Change: Key Terms. Available at: http://www.oecd.org/env/cc/.
[36]	Mansourian, S. and Parrotta, J. (2019) ‘From addressing symptoms to tackling the illness : Reversing forest loss and degradation, Environmental Science and Policy. Elsevier, 101 (February), pp. 262–265. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2019.08.007.
[37]	Moran, E. F. (2006) People and Nature: An Introduction to Human Ecology Relations. Malden, USA; Oxford, Carlton,: Blackwell.
[38]	Nelson, D. R., Adger, W. N. and Brown, K. (2007) ‘Adaptation to Environmental Change: Contributions of a Resilience Framework’, Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 32, pp. 395–419. doi: 10.1146/annurev.energy.32.051807.090348.
[39]	Nyong, A., Adesina, F. and Osman Elasha, B. (2007) ‘The value of indigenous knowledge in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in the African Sahel’, Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 12 (5), pp. 787–797. doi: 10.1007/s11027-007-9099-0.
[40]	Okonski, K. (2003) Adapt or Die: The Science, politics and economics of climate change. 1st edn. Edited by K. Okonski. London.
[41]	Parsons, T. (1937) The Structure of Social Action. New York: McGraw Hill.
[42]	Parsons, T. (1954) Essays in Sociological Theory. Revised. The Free Press.
[43]	Parsons, T., Shils, E. A., Tolman, E. C., Allport, G. W., Kluckhohn, C., Murray, H. A., Sears, R. C., and Stouffer, S. A. (1962). Some Fundamental Categories of the Theory of Action: A General Statement. In T. Parsons and E. A. Shils (Eds.), A General Theory of Action (p. 526). Harvard University Press.
[44]	Patt, A. (2006) ‘Dealing with Uncertainty: how do you assess the impossible?’, in Farrell, A. E. and Jager, J. (eds) Assessments of Regional and Global Environment Risks: Designing Processes for the Effective Use of Science in Decision Making. Resources for the Future. Washington DC, pp. 119–137.
[45]	Pelling, M. (2011) Adaptation to Climate Change from resilience to transformation. doi: 10.4324/9780203889046.
[46]	Pelling, M., O’Brien, K. and Matyas, D., 2015. Adaptation and transformation. Climatic Change, 133 (1), pp. 113-127.
[47]	Pielke, R., Prins, G., Rayner, S., and Sarewitz, D. (2007) ‘Lifting the taboo on adaptation’, 445 (February), pp. 8–9.
[48]	Pielke, R. A. (2005) ‘Misdefining “climate change”’: consequences for science and action’, Environmental Science & Policy, 8, pp. 548–561. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2005.06.013.
[49]	PROVIA (2013) PROVIA Guidance on Assessing Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation to Climate Change © 2013 United Nations Environment Programme. Nairobi: UNON/ Publishing Services. Available at: http/www.unep.org/provia.
[50]	Ruddiman, W. F. (2001) Earth’s Climate: Past and Future. 2nd edition. Macmillan.
[51]	Sloat, L. L., Davis S. J., Gerber J. S., Moore F. C., Deepak R. K., West P. C., & Mueller N. D., (2020) ‘Climate adaptation by crop migration’, Nature Communications. Springer US, (2020), pp. 1–9. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15076-4.
[52]	Smit, B., Burton, I., Klein, R. J. T., and Wandel, J. (2000). An Anatomy of Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability. In Climate Change (Vol. 45, pp. 223–251). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005661622966
[53]	Smit, B. and Wandel, J. (2006) ‘Adaptation, adaptive capacity and vulnerability, Global Environmental Change, 16, pp. 282–292. doi: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2006.03.008.
[54]	Smith, J. and Lenhart, S. (1996) ‘Climate change adaptation policy options’, Climate Research, 6 (Gleick 1993), pp. 193–201. doi: 10.3354/cr006193.
[55]	Taylor, P., Eriksen, S. H. and Brien, K. O. (2011) ‘Vulnerability, poverty and the need for sustainable adaptation measures Vulnerability, poverty and the need for sustainable adaptation measures’, (August 2015). doi: 10.1080/14693062.2007.9685660.
[56]	Thomas, D. S. G., Osbahr, H., Twyman, C., Adger, W. N., and Hewitson, B. (2005) ‘Adaptive: Adaptations to climate change amongst natural resource-dependent societies in the developing world: Across the Southern African climate gradient’, Development.
[57]	UNDP (2007) Human Development Report 2007/2008 Fighting climate change: Human solidarity in a divided world. 1st edn. Palgrave Macmillan.
[58]	UNEP (2010) The Emissions Gap Report. Are the Copenhagen Accord Pledges Sufficient to Limit Global Warming to 2 degrees celcius or 1.5 degree celcius?
[59]	UNFCCC (1992) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
[60]	W Neil Adger, Suraje Dessai, Marisa Goulden, Mike Hulme, Irene Lorenzoni, Donald R Nelson, Lars Otto Naess, Johanna Wolf, A. W. (2009) ‘Are there social limits to adaptation to climate change?’, Climatic change, 93 (3), pp. 335–354.
[61]	Willner, S. N., Glanemann, N. and Levermann, A. (2021) ‘Investment incentive reduced by climate damages can be restored by optimal policy’, Nature Communications. Springer US, 12 (3245), pp. 1–9. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23547-5.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Winfred Abdulai Nelson, Clifford Amoako, Rudith King, Philip Antwi-Agyei, Samuel Kwofie. (2022). Adaptation as a Means to an End: Conceptual Underpinnings and Empirical Affirmations. American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 6(4), 155-164. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Winfred Abdulai Nelson; Clifford Amoako; Rudith King; Philip Antwi-Agyei; Samuel Kwofie. Adaptation as a Means to an End: Conceptual Underpinnings and Empirical Affirmations. Am. J. Environ. Sci. Eng. 2022, 6(4), 155-164. doi: 10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Winfred Abdulai Nelson, Clifford Amoako, Rudith King, Philip Antwi-Agyei, Samuel Kwofie. Adaptation as a Means to an End: Conceptual Underpinnings and Empirical Affirmations. Am J Environ Sci Eng. 2022;6(4):155-164. doi: 10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11,
  author = {Winfred Abdulai Nelson and Clifford Amoako and Rudith King and Philip Antwi-Agyei and Samuel Kwofie},
  title = {Adaptation as a Means to an End: Conceptual Underpinnings and Empirical Affirmations},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering},
  volume = {6},
  number = {4},
  pages = {155-164},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajese.20220604.11},
  abstract = {Rooted in the concept of adaptation are change, action, stimulus, means and end. Whilst these elements are fundamental in clarifying the complex actor relationships surrounding adaptation, literature has tended to concentrate on the end (adaptation practice). Inherent in the provisions of interventions aimed at minimizing the specific impacts of climate change is the notion that adaptation will be automatically triggered. This article, which focuses on concepts and theories, argues that adaptation is more than mere action or what is usually described as the end. Using the Theory of Action (ToA) and the Framework for Analyzing Climate Change Adaptation as Actions (FACCAA), this article attempts to clarify the relationships between the key terminologies and contributes to knowledge on the adaptation discourse. Using empirical shreds of evidence from the Talensi District, the article underscores the proposition that water interventions are not necessarily adaptation practices neither are they automatic activators of adaptation. They are rather means expected to propel action for adaptation. The article concludes that elements, such as change, action, and means, are of equal importance as the popularly documented adaptation practice (end). All the elements deserve equal attention to unravel the complexities underpinning the concept of adaptation.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Adaptation as a Means to an End: Conceptual Underpinnings and Empirical Affirmations
AU  - Winfred Abdulai Nelson
AU  - Clifford Amoako
AU  - Rudith King
AU  - Philip Antwi-Agyei
AU  - Samuel Kwofie
Y1  - 2022/10/28
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
SP  - 155
EP  - 164
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-7993
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11
AB  - Rooted in the concept of adaptation are change, action, stimulus, means and end. Whilst these elements are fundamental in clarifying the complex actor relationships surrounding adaptation, literature has tended to concentrate on the end (adaptation practice). Inherent in the provisions of interventions aimed at minimizing the specific impacts of climate change is the notion that adaptation will be automatically triggered. This article, which focuses on concepts and theories, argues that adaptation is more than mere action or what is usually described as the end. Using the Theory of Action (ToA) and the Framework for Analyzing Climate Change Adaptation as Actions (FACCAA), this article attempts to clarify the relationships between the key terminologies and contributes to knowledge on the adaptation discourse. Using empirical shreds of evidence from the Talensi District, the article underscores the proposition that water interventions are not necessarily adaptation practices neither are they automatic activators of adaptation. They are rather means expected to propel action for adaptation. The article concludes that elements, such as change, action, and means, are of equal importance as the popularly documented adaptation practice (end). All the elements deserve equal attention to unravel the complexities underpinning the concept of adaptation.
VL  - 6
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Winfred Abdulai Nelson

National Development Planning Commission, Accra, Ghana
Clifford Amoako

Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Rudith King

Centre for Settlement Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Philip Antwi-Agyei

Department of Environmental Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Samuel Kwofie

General Studies Department, Koforidua Technical University, Koforidua, Ghana

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Winfred Abdulai Nelson, Clifford Amoako, Rudith King, Philip Antwi-Agyei, Samuel Kwofie. (2022). Adaptation as a Means to an End: Conceptual Underpinnings and Empirical Affirmations. American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 6(4), 155-164. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Winfred Abdulai Nelson; Clifford Amoako; Rudith King; Philip Antwi-Agyei; Samuel Kwofie. Adaptation as a Means to an End: Conceptual Underpinnings and Empirical Affirmations. Am. J. Environ. Sci. Eng. 2022, 6(4), 155-164. doi: 10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Winfred Abdulai Nelson, Clifford Amoako, Rudith King, Philip Antwi-Agyei, Samuel Kwofie. Adaptation as a Means to an End: Conceptual Underpinnings and Empirical Affirmations. Am J Environ Sci Eng. 2022;6(4):155-164. doi: 10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11,
  author = {Winfred Abdulai Nelson and Clifford Amoako and Rudith King and Philip Antwi-Agyei and Samuel Kwofie},
  title = {Adaptation as a Means to an End: Conceptual Underpinnings and Empirical Affirmations},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering},
  volume = {6},
  number = {4},
  pages = {155-164},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajese.20220604.11},
  abstract = {Rooted in the concept of adaptation are change, action, stimulus, means and end. Whilst these elements are fundamental in clarifying the complex actor relationships surrounding adaptation, literature has tended to concentrate on the end (adaptation practice). Inherent in the provisions of interventions aimed at minimizing the specific impacts of climate change is the notion that adaptation will be automatically triggered. This article, which focuses on concepts and theories, argues that adaptation is more than mere action or what is usually described as the end. Using the Theory of Action (ToA) and the Framework for Analyzing Climate Change Adaptation as Actions (FACCAA), this article attempts to clarify the relationships between the key terminologies and contributes to knowledge on the adaptation discourse. Using empirical shreds of evidence from the Talensi District, the article underscores the proposition that water interventions are not necessarily adaptation practices neither are they automatic activators of adaptation. They are rather means expected to propel action for adaptation. The article concludes that elements, such as change, action, and means, are of equal importance as the popularly documented adaptation practice (end). All the elements deserve equal attention to unravel the complexities underpinning the concept of adaptation.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Adaptation as a Means to an End: Conceptual Underpinnings and Empirical Affirmations
AU  - Winfred Abdulai Nelson
AU  - Clifford Amoako
AU  - Rudith King
AU  - Philip Antwi-Agyei
AU  - Samuel Kwofie
Y1  - 2022/10/28
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
SP  - 155
EP  - 164
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-7993
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20220604.11
AB  - Rooted in the concept of adaptation are change, action, stimulus, means and end. Whilst these elements are fundamental in clarifying the complex actor relationships surrounding adaptation, literature has tended to concentrate on the end (adaptation practice). Inherent in the provisions of interventions aimed at minimizing the specific impacts of climate change is the notion that adaptation will be automatically triggered. This article, which focuses on concepts and theories, argues that adaptation is more than mere action or what is usually described as the end. Using the Theory of Action (ToA) and the Framework for Analyzing Climate Change Adaptation as Actions (FACCAA), this article attempts to clarify the relationships between the key terminologies and contributes to knowledge on the adaptation discourse. Using empirical shreds of evidence from the Talensi District, the article underscores the proposition that water interventions are not necessarily adaptation practices neither are they automatic activators of adaptation. They are rather means expected to propel action for adaptation. The article concludes that elements, such as change, action, and means, are of equal importance as the popularly documented adaptation practice (end). All the elements deserve equal attention to unravel the complexities underpinning the concept of adaptation.
VL  - 6
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download