KIWI webinar climate adaptation and behavioral change
- mwierda6
- Mar 28, 2023
- 2 min read
Climate adaptation requires behavioral change, and that doesn't happen automatically. That's why the NWB Fund organized a webinar on this topic as part of the KIWI Climate Game Changers program. Anne Valkengoed (RUG, postdoc in climate adaptation psychology) and Jonathan Naaba (TreeAid, country programme manager Ghana) shared theoretical insights and practical experiences.
In the KIWI program, water experts are trained to boost climate adaptation in developing countries (KIWI stands for Climate and Innovation Program for Water Authorities International). However, the question is: what is effective climate adaptation? One thing is certain: behavioral change is a key factor for the successful implementation of adaptation measures, and technology alone is not enough. This webinar focused on how to achieve that behavioral change.
Dr. Anne van Valkengoed from the University of Groningen conducts research on behavioral change. She explained that it is not socio-demographic variables that determine climate-adaptive behavior, but rather psychological factors. By this, she means the norms and emotions about climate change within a specific population group. She elaborated on how these psychological factors can be addressed in interventions to enhance their effectiveness.
Van Valkengoed concluded with a critical note: psychological research lacks diversity, as it is predominantly based on a WEIRD population (White, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic).
Jonathan Naaba from the organization TreeAid works in practice on climate adaptation through the cultivation and protection of trees. He spoke about his efforts to change behavior in farming communities in Ghana and emphasized that there are many ways to engage farmers; there is no one-size-fits-all success formula. It requires tailoring, and often a mix of actions is needed. The challenge lies in addressing the psychological factors that Van Valkengoed referred to, while considering the local culture. This could include supporting communities with tools, providing education and training, encouraging the cultivation of different crops, or tapping into new sources of income and employment. Naaba concluded by calling for greater involvement of women and youth, as they often have limited access to good land.
The webinar can be viewed via the following link:
