**2. Literature review**

#### **2.1 Adaptation, a fundamental component of climate change vulnerability**

The new climate is no longer a doubtful global reality, but a phenomenon that we need to learn to live with for years to come [11]. Its disposition to leaving no facet of human endeavor immune from its negative externalities are unpredictable and presents very worrisome realities for the contemporary society and urban communities [15] largely manifesting beyond alterations in temperature and precipitation threatening the existence of humanity, particularly in Africa, and other developing countries [3, 16].

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improvements.

**2.2 Climate change adaptation models**

*Households' Adaptation to Climate Change Hazards in Semi-Arid Region of Mopani, South…*

Adaptive ability to climate change hazard is considered a new field of endeavor, serving as a converging point for several experts, ranging from development experts, climate scientists, planners, disaster managers, and a host of other experts and disciplines/fields [17]. This has brought about divergent conceptual models to the study of vulnerability and adaptation, though addressing similar issues and emphasizing similar processes, but rather with different vocabularies [18]. The growth in the body of literature on the conceptual issue has brought about a confusing set of terminologies with unclear relationship [16, 19, 20]. However, notwithstanding the differences, the recognitions and understanding of the need to curtail the adversities

The frustrations from the present context of failure to successfully mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and curtail its associate developmental issues has resulted in adaptation becoming not only an inevitable strategy to frustrate vulnerability but also an integral social components for vulnerability assessment [16, 21]. However, this course of action is still in the trial periods of being considered relevant, particu-

Adaptation to climate change, is the "adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities" [24] as cited in [25]. It can take various dimensions from being reactive or anticipatory, private or public, and autonomous or planned [24], it can equally either be active or passive [26], spontaneous or prompted by alteration in conditions [27]. It is however a phenomenon that its success is hinges on the adoption of several co-and interdependent factors, including

However, many regions of the world, particularly Africa currently have limited access to these technologies, appropriate information and financial resources [28]. The cost-effective use of adaptation strategies will therefore depend upon the availability of financial resources, technology transfer, and cultural, educational, managerial, institutional, legal and regulatory practices, both applicable domestically and internationally [29, 30]. Hence "the need to consider indigenous knowledge system-based support and intervention", for effective climate change adaptation strategies as one of the under-studied and utilized adaptation and mitigation

In this chapter we further argue that like all other cultures, in Mopani District people are essentially adaptive, while exposed to environmental variability and risky circumstances in the past. These events called to question the local people's adaptive capacity in respect to environmental variability and risk within the resources and technologies available options to them [32]. Therefore, to efficiently and adequately confront the prevailing and the potential climate change hazards, indigenous knowledge (IK) must be embraced, but be enhanced particularly beyond peoples' experienced coping option ranges [33, 34]. The development and adoption of IK notion has necessitated the paradigm shift from organic adaptation approach to scientific adaptation framework models that attempt to respond to gaps ranging from adaptation needs determination, to adaptation assessment and interventions. The ensuing section of this chapter attempts at the identification of some existing adaptation models from a historical lens perspective, to typologies of these models and gaps that characterized them as well-as offering suggestions for

Adaptation modeling field is wide, varied and is punctuated with largely unclear

disciplinary/field boundaries [35]. The definition of what are its constituents is

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94759*

of the phenomenon is the most crucial.

larly within science and policy contexts [22, 23].

but not limited to human, technological y and policy matters.

strategy especially in Africa and developing countries in general [31].

#### *Households' Adaptation to Climate Change Hazards in Semi-Arid Region of Mopani, South… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94759*

Adaptive ability to climate change hazard is considered a new field of endeavor, serving as a converging point for several experts, ranging from development experts, climate scientists, planners, disaster managers, and a host of other experts and disciplines/fields [17]. This has brought about divergent conceptual models to the study of vulnerability and adaptation, though addressing similar issues and emphasizing similar processes, but rather with different vocabularies [18]. The growth in the body of literature on the conceptual issue has brought about a confusing set of terminologies with unclear relationship [16, 19, 20]. However, notwithstanding the differences, the recognitions and understanding of the need to curtail the adversities of the phenomenon is the most crucial.

The frustrations from the present context of failure to successfully mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and curtail its associate developmental issues has resulted in adaptation becoming not only an inevitable strategy to frustrate vulnerability but also an integral social components for vulnerability assessment [16, 21]. However, this course of action is still in the trial periods of being considered relevant, particularly within science and policy contexts [22, 23].

Adaptation to climate change, is the "adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities" [24] as cited in [25]. It can take various dimensions from being reactive or anticipatory, private or public, and autonomous or planned [24], it can equally either be active or passive [26], spontaneous or prompted by alteration in conditions [27]. It is however a phenomenon that its success is hinges on the adoption of several co-and interdependent factors, including but not limited to human, technological y and policy matters.

However, many regions of the world, particularly Africa currently have limited access to these technologies, appropriate information and financial resources [28]. The cost-effective use of adaptation strategies will therefore depend upon the availability of financial resources, technology transfer, and cultural, educational, managerial, institutional, legal and regulatory practices, both applicable domestically and internationally [29, 30]. Hence "the need to consider indigenous knowledge system-based support and intervention", for effective climate change adaptation strategies as one of the under-studied and utilized adaptation and mitigation strategy especially in Africa and developing countries in general [31].

In this chapter we further argue that like all other cultures, in Mopani District people are essentially adaptive, while exposed to environmental variability and risky circumstances in the past. These events called to question the local people's adaptive capacity in respect to environmental variability and risk within the resources and technologies available options to them [32]. Therefore, to efficiently and adequately confront the prevailing and the potential climate change hazards, indigenous knowledge (IK) must be embraced, but be enhanced particularly beyond peoples' experienced coping option ranges [33, 34]. The development and adoption of IK notion has necessitated the paradigm shift from organic adaptation approach to scientific adaptation framework models that attempt to respond to gaps ranging from adaptation needs determination, to adaptation assessment and interventions. The ensuing section of this chapter attempts at the identification of some existing adaptation models from a historical lens perspective, to typologies of these models and gaps that characterized them as well-as offering suggestions for improvements.
