Climate change impacts on rural societies: stakeholders perceptions and adaptation strategies in Buenos Aires, Argentina

• Main Authors: Urcola , Hernán A.(auteur de correspondance) (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Balcarce(Argentine).), Elverdin , Julio (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Balcarce(Argentine).), Mosciaro , Mirna (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Balcarce(Argentine).), Albaladejo , Christophe (INRA , Auzeville (France). UMR 1248 AGrosystèmes et développement terrItoRial), Manchado , Juan C. (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Balcarce(Argentine).), Giussepucci , Juan F (Actividad Agropecuaria, Territorios y Sistemas agroalimentarios localizadosInstituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, BalcarceBalcarce(Argentine). AGRITERRIS)
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: adaptation strategies; climate change; perceptions; stakeholders

Heavily dependent on agriculture, Argentinean stakeholders must prepare to adapt their activities to a different climate. However, the country does not have an agricultural adaptation plan. A space of joint discussion and participatory planning among farmers, scientific researchers, firm managers and government representatives can increase the preparedness to cope with the impacts of climate change. This research uses individual and group interviews to identify perceptions about climate change and possible adaptation strategies suitable for different types of stakeholders of the district of Balcarce. Relatively homogeneous groups of stakeholders perceive an array of weather changes and identify a range of adaptation strategies. This rich set of perceptions and strategies constitute an excellent starting point to define priorities in research and in policy making to implement national, regional, or firm-level adaptation strategies. Genetic techniques, specific scientific knowledge and land-use planning are viewed as promising sources of adaptation and coordination mechanisms. One common request from stakeholders is the coordination between, and within, public and private organizations. Effective adaptation strategies require the implementation multi-level governance and policy integration. However, these integrations will generate benefits in any type of future climate.