Inequalities and Interventions: Autonomous Adaptation to Climate Change

This book represents an original investigation employing a multidisciplinary approach to elucidate autonomous adaptation, which denotes the spontaneous responses of individuals and communities to mitigate the impacts and seize the opportunities arising from climate change in Indian contexts. It systematically examines the diverse socio-political and economic transformations precipitated by ecological shifts in villages situated across varied terrains in the Kozhikode district of Kerala, renowned as one of India's most vulnerable regions to climate change variables. Through meticulous analysis, it delineates the intricate interplay of inequality at interpersonal and communal levels within the framework of autonomous adaptation, elucidating how it catalyzes multifaceted transformations across different strata of society. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, the study integrates the analysis of district-wise meteorological data spanning over three decades with a year-long ethnographic field study conducted in three distinct villages of Kozhikode—a fishing village on the coast, an agrarian village on the plain, and a village on the Western Ghats primarily depending on plantation crops. The book provides comprehensive visual aids, including maps illustrating the varying degrees of climate change exposure across different districts in India. Furthermore, it incorporates oral history accounts, grassroots narratives, and scientific analyses to illustrate how climate-induced ecological transformations manifest differently across diverse terrains, resulting in both convergent and divergent forms of societal change. This scholarly endeavor is poised to offer invaluable insights to a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including the general public, academic scholars, and policymakers. By illuminating the ground realities of climate change impacts and elucidating the shortcomings of existing adaptation policies, the book aims to enhance collective understanding and spur informed action in addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change. Through its rigorous analysis and accessible presentation, it serves as a critical resource for fostering evidence-based decision-making and advancing effective climate change adaptation strategies.