The livelihood vulnerability analysis: A pragmatic approach to assessing risks from climate variability and change- A case study of livestock farming in Karnataka, India

Abstract

Vulnerability is often reflected in the condition of the economic system as well as the socioeconomic characteristics of the population living in that system. Assessment of current vulnerability can be done using a variety of socioeconomic indicators that capture the exposure of the population in concern. The socioeconomic status of a group is closely linked to the adaptive capacity of that particular group. Many factors contribute to social and economic vulnerability including rapid population growth, poverty and hunger, poor health, low levels of educations, gender inequality, social exclusion, fragile, marginal and/or hazardous location, resource degradation, and lack of access to infrastructure, resources and services, including knowledge and technological means. The exposed population has a limited capacity to protect themselves from natural hazards, especially from extreme events such as storms, droughts and floods. They bear the brunt of the consequences of large-scale environmental change, including land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change, which affect the welfare of the most vulnerable populations. Over the long term vulnerable populations have to learn to cope with the effects of climate change on their production systems. The Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) was developed to estimate climate vulnerability of livestock farming in Chitradurga and Kolar Districts of Karnataka, India. One hundred and twenty households were surveyed in each district to collect data on sociodemographics, livelihoods, social networks, health, food and water security, natural disasters and climate variability. Data were aggregated using a composite index and differential vulnerabilities were compared. Results suggest that Chitradurga district may be more vulnerable in terms of water resources while Kolar district may be more vulnerable in terms of socio-demographic structure.