The societal role oF Charcoal production in Climate-Change adaptation of the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya - Climate Change Adaptation and Development: Transforming Paradigms and Practices - page 50

the communities should adapt to it. Views based on an artificial distinction
between coping and adaption conceptualizations can serve to reinforce the
power structures, through the failure of 'educated' DA officials to value local
knowledge sufficiently. The findings of this study underscore the importance
of challenging power structures that disempower local knowledge as compared to
'scientific' knowledge embodied in DAs. Consequently, instead of supporting
activities such as charcoal production to ensure that it is sustainable or adaptive,
the practice is simply banned.
Adger et al. (2004) observe that coping measures take place within existing
structures (e.g. production systems), whereas adaptation frequently involves
changing the framework within which coping takes place. This is similar to
what we observed in Makueni. But we argue that factors that shape capacity
to cope with present-day vulnerability may complement factors that shape the
ability to adapt over longer timescales. The DA approach and the community
approach to coping and adaptation can therefore be complementary. Realizing
the intrinsic linkage between coping and adaptation is important - otherwise,
promoting external adaptation measures in a bid to limit the need for coping
may actually leave people with less ability to cope, let alone adapt to new threats.
Conclusions and recommendations
In this chapter we have shown how the conceptualization of vulnerability and
differing notions of coping and adaptation can influence practices on climate-
change adaptation. Such influence may be negative (as widely documented with
historical attempts to sedentarize pastoral communities), or may lead to inaction
on the underlying social causes of vulnerability and the means of addressing
them. In this study we have seen how having opportunities for income can be
a strong measure for coping and adaptation - but development efforts are more
focused on environmental and 'hard' measures not available or beneficial to all.
Strengthening existing local strategies is critical for reaching the most vulnerable,
empowering local knowledge and influence in decision-making processes, and
probably in enhancing equity, thereby supporting social sustainability.
We have also shown how the dominant view of coping as counterproductive
to or disconnected from adaptation can lead to ignoring important measures
such as charcoal production that can diversify incomes and can thus be used
to build adaptation. Challenging this prevailing view, we argue that coping and
adaptation can be complementary. Future development options for Makueni
and other ASAL regions should not be foreclosed by policy measures that
inhibit the abilities of the local people to respond to the changing natural and
economic circumstances.
With specific reference to charcoal production in ASALs, it is time to
reconsider its role in coping with climate change and adapting to its impacts.
Thus far the only linkage that has been drawn between charcoal production and
climate change is on mitigation, which supports curbing the practice in order