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Daba 2025 - Revew

This review paper examines the impacts of climate change and variability on rural livelihoods and adaptation strategies in southern Ethiopia. It highlights how climate change affects agricultural productivity, water availability, and food security, exacerbating poverty and vulnerability in rural communities. The authors suggest comprehensive mitigation and adaptation strategies, including sustainable agriculture and community-based initiatives, to enhance resilience against climate impacts.

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Abayneh Hillo
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
22 views8 pages

Daba 2025 - Revew

This review paper examines the impacts of climate change and variability on rural livelihoods and adaptation strategies in southern Ethiopia. It highlights how climate change affects agricultural productivity, water availability, and food security, exacerbating poverty and vulnerability in rural communities. The authors suggest comprehensive mitigation and adaptation strategies, including sustainable agriculture and community-based initiatives, to enhance resilience against climate impacts.

Uploaded by

Abayneh Hillo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TYPE Review

PUBLISHED 09 April 2025


DOI 10.3389/fclim.2025.1563176

Impacts of climate change and


OPEN ACCESS variability on rural livelihoods and
adaptation strategies in Ethiopia:
EDITED BY
Jose Antonio Rodriguez Martin,
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y
Tecnología Agroalimentaria (INIA), Spain

REVIEWED BY
a review paper
Addisu Damtew,
Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia
Assefa Abelieneh Berhanu,
Belay Daba 1, Tena Regasa 2 and Siraj Mammo 3*
Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia 1
Department of Environmental Science, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Bule Hora
Gemechu Shale Ogato, University, Bule Hora, Ethiopia, 2 Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational
Ambo University, Ethiopia Science, Wollega University, Nekemete, Ethiopia, 3 Department of Biology, College of Natural and
Ahmed Usmail, Computational Science, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia
Oda Bultum University, Ethiopia

*CORRESPONDENCE
Siraj Mammo Climate change and variability are changes in the state of climate and weather
[email protected] conditions due to anthropogenic and physical factors. The main aim of this review
RECEIVED 19January 2025 paper is to examine the impacts of climate change and variability on rural livelihood
ACCEPTED 20 March 2025
and adaptation strategies employed in southern Ethiopia. In this review paper,
PUBLISHED 09 April 2025
the selection of literature was mainly based on search engines and raised areas
CITATION
Daba B, Regasa T and Mammo S (2025)
from Google Scholar, Web of Science, Research Gate, Science Direct, and many
Impacts of climate change and variability on other scientific journal publishing websites. This review focuses on climate change
rural livelihoods and adaptation strategies in and variability in southern Ethiopia, highlighting its impact on rural livelihoods
Ethiopia: a review paper.
Front. Clim. 7:1563176.
and adaptation strategies. Climate change and its variability affect sub-Saharan
doi: 10.3389/fclim.2025.1563176 countries such as Ethiopia, crop production, livestock rearing, land productivity,
COPYRIGHT
water availability, biotic growth, rangeland quality, and soil productivity. This
© 2025 Daba, Regasa and Mammo. This is an was due to rain-fed agricultural activity, low adaptation capacity, less attention
open-access article distributed under the given to policy development/implementation, lack of awareness, lack of modern
terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
License (CC BY). The use, distribution or agricultural input, and lack of effective, and efficient technology, etc. Ethiopian rural
reproduction in other forums is permitted, livelihoods need a comprehensive approach to mitigate climate change impacts.
provided the original author(s) and the Mitigation should focus on sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and non-
copyright owner(s) are credited and that the
original publication in this journal is cited, in farm activities, while adaptation involves livelihood diversification, early warning
accordance with accepted academic systems, community-based initiatives, policy frameworks, and capacity-building
practice. No use, distribution or reproduction programs. Despite adaptation measures such as cropping practices, modern input,
is permitted which does not comply with
these terms. crop diversification, and land management, climate change variability remains
severe in Ethiopia, particularly in pastoral and semi-pastoral regions. The reviewer
suggested that the government, NGOs, community, and private organizations
should work together to address climate change and variability, focusing on
enhancing adaptive capacity and sustainable environments.

KEYWORDS

adaptation, agriculture, Borena, climate change impact, livelihood

1 Introduction
Climate change and variability are among the most pressing global challenges of the 21st
century, with profound implications for ecosystems, economies, and livelihoods, particularly
in developing countries (IPCC, 2021). In the 21st century, climate change has been identified
as a global environmental problem (Mekonen and Berlie, 2021; Ekpenyong et al., 2011). The
composition of the global and/or regional atmosphere is altered by climate change, and natural
climate variability is observed over similar periods. Animals and people alike are not immune
to the effects of climate change (Cherinet, 2019; Panel et al., 2007). The most difficult and
complicated issue affecting agricultural development globally is climate change (Gitima and

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Daba et al. 10.3389/fclim.2025.1563176

Indonesia, 2021). Globally, climate change has reduces agricultural The study searched for English-language electronic papers on
productivity, pushing some regions of the world to unsafe levels climate change, livelihood, and environmental degradation using
(Collier et al., 2008; Tadesse and Paper, 2010). Because the majority of keywords such as Borena. Over 75 papers were recovered, with 62
Africans rely on natural resources for their livelihoods agriculture, used for review and analysis, and 47 combining original research
pastoralism, and fishing the continent is also vulnerable to climate articles and organizational reports.
threats (Araro et al., 2020; Serdeczny et al., 2016; Chapman
et al., 2020).
Sub-Saharan African rural farmers face increased vulnerability to 3 Causes of climate change and
climate change and variability owing to poverty, low infrastructure, variability
and reliance on rain-fed agriculture (Collier et al., 2008; Serdeczny
et al., 2016; Tadesse and Paper, 2010). Over 95% of the agricultural The natural climate change and variability fluctuations of the
production in sub-Saharan Africa depends on rain (Haile and Tang, climate system have been part of Earth’s history however, there have
2020). Ethiopia, a country heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture, is been changes in concentrations of GHGs in the atmosphere
highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including growing at an unprecedented rate and magnitudes in recent years
increased temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and frequent (Onoja et al., 2011; Abouelfadl, 2012; EFD, 2012; World Bank,
droughts (Deressa et al., 2009). This vulnerability to climate change 2014). The causes of climate change and variability are broadly
due to high poverty, rapid population growth, reliance on rain-fed categorized into natural and anthropogenic factors (IPCC, 2014;
agriculture, environmental degradation, food insecurity, and frequent Kaddo, 2016; Ochieng et al., 2016; World Bank, 2014). The Earth’s
natural drought cycles (Cherinet, 2019, Li Ching, 2018). Not only climate is grossly influenced and changed through natural causes
these, Erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts have led to crop such as ocean currents, volcanic eruptions, the Earth’s orbital
failures, livestock losses, and reduced agricultural productivity, changes, solar variations, and man-made greenhouse gases from
exacerbating poverty and food insecurity in rural areas (Mekonnen burning fossil fuels for electricity, cars, trains, aircraft, homes, land
et al., 2018). use, and deforestation (Onoja et al., 2011; Society, 2021; Taylor
Climate change adaptation involves minimizing vulnerability and et al., 2017).
adjusting livelihood strategies to future impacts (African and Bank, In light of these since climate change and variability are already
2012; Etana et al., 2021). Farmers in Ethiopia use various strategies, occurring, it is possible to predict potential future changes by looking
including cropping adjustments, resource management, and at previous and current changes. Ethiopia’s temperature has risen by
diversification to non-farm activities, to adapt to climate change roughly 0.2°C every decade during the past few decades (Keller, 2009;
variability (Etana et al., 2021; Cherinet, 2019; Serdeczny et al., 2016). Abouelfadl, 2012). Owing to climate change and unpredictability,
As the impacts of climate change and variability on people vary from Ethiopia is among the nations most vulnerable to drought and
one to another, the adaptation strategies implemented by people are flooding. By 2030, the average annual temperature across the nation
also not the same. is expected to increase by 0.9°C to 1.1°C. The occurrence and severity
A sustainable livelihood can mitigate risks, recover from climate of droughts are projected to pose a growing threat to rural farming
change, maintain or enhance capabilities, and provide net livelihood communities owing to climate fluctuations.
benefits in the short and long term (Etana et al., 2021; Nelson et al., Climate change and variability directly and indirectly impact
2014; Tadesse and Paper, 2010). This review research at the regional, humans through health, food security, and economic activity. They
zonal, and woreda levels is crucial for understanding climate change induce changes in agriculture, leading to changes in the crop mix,
patterns and their impact on pastoralist livelihoods, aiming for input use, production, food demand, consumption, and trade (Taylor
multidimensional economic, social, and environmental objectives. et al., 2017). All these are what Ethiopia has experienced this time with
climate change variability and its effect on climate.

2 Methods
4 Climate change and variability
The main aim of this review is to examine the impacts of climate trends of Ethiopia
change and variability on rural livelihood and adaptation strategies
employed in southern Ethiopia. In this review, the authors adopted an According to the USAID, 2015, the technical report on climate
integrated iterative approach by searching various related literature change and variability in the Ethiopian region, related to temperature
and analyzing related articles. The selection of literature was mainly and rainfall trends between 1981 to 2014 summarized in
based on search engines and raised areas from Google Scholar, Web three paragraphs.
of Science, Research Gate, Science Direct, and many other scientific Between 1981 and 2014, the temperature trend in the Amhara
journal publishing websites. In addition, citations in key documents region showed higher maximum temperatures during the summer/
were used to identify additional relevant publications. This review did kiremt (June–September; +0.4–0.6°C/decade) and higher belg season
not cover all causes of climate change and variability in rural livelihood (March–May) temperatures, together with trends in the amount of
and its impact on all communities in Ethiopia, but focused on causes rainfall in the same year. There is minimal evidence of significant
of climate change and variability in rural livelihood and adaptation changes in the features of rainfall, although increasing rainfall with
strategies in southern Ethiopia. Source materials, peer-reviewed more dry days in a row suggests increased intensity, and probably
papers, institutional publications, and very few unpublished sources more frequent heavy rainfall. There is also the possibility of an
(MSc theses) were included. increased core seasonal rainfall.

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Between 1981 and 2014, the temperature trend in Oromia, 1.2°C increase in 2006–2020, as well as more than 0.4 percent increase
North East, and Afar, Ethiopia, was hotter, with more rapid increases in mean annual rainfall.
in the later part of the belg (March–May; 0.6°C/decade), but By 2050, Ethiopia predicted that it is mean annual temperature
significant increases in kiremt (June–September; +0.4–0.6°C/ will increase by more than 2.2°C and 3.3°C by 2050 and 2090,
decade). During the same year, the rainfall trend intensified, with respectively. The prediction also shows that the mean annual rainfall
drier conditions for the first rainfall season (March–May), intensified in Ethiopia may increase by more than 1.1% and wetter conditions
wet events during the kiremt (June–September), and tentative may occur in 2090. According to Ethiopia’s climate resilient and green
evidence of increased and extended (later cessation) long-season economy strategy, there will be notable increases in temperature and
rainfall (kiremt) (Funk et al., 2019; World Bank, 2021). In Ethiopia’s precipitation, leading to extreme weather events such as severe
Oromia South region, the period from 1981 to 2014 saw hotter flooding, drought, heavy rainfall, El Nino, heat waves, and increased
temperature changes, with later springtime rises (March to May) of evaporation. As the majority of Ethiopians depend on rain-fed
0.6°C/decade, but notable summertime increases (June to agriculture, these changes have a substantial impact on rural
September) of +0.4–0.6°C/decade. That year’s rainfall trend was livelihoods, particularly livestock and crop production.
variable but suggested a possible drying trend (east). In general temperature and rainfall variability seriously affect
In Tigray’s, northern Ethiopia temperature rends (1981–2014) sectoral production, especially the agriculture sector such as crop
showed decreasing maximum temperatures during the dry period production and livestock rearing (Solomon et al., 2021; World Bank,
(June–September), hotter temperatures during October–December, 2014). This is what we are observing today in most parts of Ethiopia
and rainfall trends in the same year were tentative messages of especially pastoralist and semi-pastoralist regions such as Borena,
increased rainfall during the main rainy season and a possible Somalia, and some parts of Guji Land in which not only livestock died
extension of the season (later cessation) with very tentative evidence but also people of an area faced severe starvation. Thus, the Borena
of increased rainfall intensity and frequency of heavy rainfall events. zone needs great aid from Ethiopian society and the world (Abrham
Variations in climate variability, particularly in temperature and et al., 2020; Okpanachi et al., 2013).
rainfall, were revealed in the USAID technical study. Regional
temperature patterns indicate increases, although the pace and timing
of these increases differ. Seasonal variations also affect the temperature 5 Impact of climate change and
patterns, with some areas seeing sharp drops in temperature and variability on agricultural food
others seeing sharp rises. For example, the temperature in Tigray production, income, crop, and
decreased from June to September and again from October to economic variable
December. In Afar, the temperature rises quickly from March to May,
by more than 0.6°C. Most Ethiopian households expressed dissatisfaction with crop
Based on the trends of change in climate and variability of failure due to pests, heavy and unseasonal rain, early and late rainy
Ethiopia from the report we can easily understand its adverse impacts seasons, and frequent droughts. In Somalia, shocks and pressures
are much diversified and damage the economy, biotic life, ecosystem, connected to climate change have resulted in lower crops for the
and social interaction of human life in rural livelihood. It is not only majority of agro-pastoral households (93.7%; Abrham et al., 2020;
rural livelihood, but also the lives of people who live wherever in the Ochieng et al., 2016). Farmlands have become drier and more
world but also severe to pastoralist and semi-pastoralist parts of challenging to plow because of droughts and delayed rainy seasons.
the world. Additionally, stunted crop development and delayed seed germination
According to Ethiopia’s Climate Resilient and Green Economy have resulted in early crop wilting and a decrease in agricultural
Strategy (CRGES), the country’s mean annual temperature increased output, sometimes leading to crop loss. Melaku et al. (2018) and
by 1.3°C between 1960 and 2006; there were also more hot days and Osumanu et al. (2015) both found similar results, indicating that
nights and fewer cold days and nights; and the mean annual rainfall drought occurrences also showed that occurrences of droughts had
varied greatly from year to year and decade to decade, showing no led to crop failure in the Afar Region.
discernible trend that led to extreme weather events such as frequent, The result from Figure 1 shows that Ethiopia’s agricultural food
severe flooding, and droughts. 2020 was predicted to see an increase production and amount of income generation are negatively impacted
in mean annual temperature of +1.2°C (range: 0.7–2.3°C) and in the by climate change on a national level. There has been a significant drop
mean annual rainfall of +0.496. Extreme weather events in these years in rural, urban, and non-farming areas, and this trend is expected to
included heavier rainfall events, unpredictable El Nino behavior in the continue. From 2020 to 2030, then to 2040, and then to 2050, the rate
future, an increase in flood and drought events, heat waves, and higher of degradation in the poor society was greater than in the non-poor
evaporation that occurred or may occur. The average annual society. Comparable to this, in rural impoverished areas, the cause was
temperature was predicted to rise to +2.2°C (1.4–2.9°C) in 2050, while more severe than that of rural non-farm causes as we advanced into
the average annual rainfall was predicted to rise by +1.196. the next 30 years.
Furthermore, yearly temperature is predicted to rise by +3.3°C (range: The impact of climate change and variability on the agro
1.5°C–5.1°C), and the mean yearly rainfall is predicted to reach wetter ecological zone is demonstrated in Figure 2, where household income
conditions in the 2090s. has dropped and will continue to decline. The figure depicted above
Predictions indicate that Ethiopia’s climate pattern will continue shows that the income of the community decreased by more than 10
to shift until 2090. The strategy for a climate resilient and green to 15 percent in each of the agro ecological zones between 2020 and
economy indicates rising mean annual temperature and rainfall, with 2050. Every instance of an agro ecological zone hurts household
notable differences between a 1.3°C increase in 1960–2006 and over income between 2020 and 2050. Cereals with enough moisture only

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FIGURE 1
Percentage changes in household income due to climate change at the national level. Source: Solomon et al. (2021).

FIGURE 2
Percentage change in household income by decades and AEZ. Source: Pantuliano and Wekesa (2008).

displayed a positive 0.3 in 2050, but they reached a negative 15. For The implications of climate change and variability exhibit
drought-prone households, moisture-sufficient Onset was −13.9 in periodic fluctuations, but their intensities vary among Ethiopian
2020 and is projected −40.1 in 2050, which is a very large negative regions (Abrham et al., 2020). Based on agro ecological zones
shift; nevertheless, for pastoralist households, it was 6.7 in 2020. ranging from Kur to the desert, Ethiopia is experiencing a wide
Moisture sufficient Onset was −6.1 in 2020 but will reach range of consequences from climate change and variability. The
−27.3 in 2050. socioeconomic effects of drought are severe in various regions with

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arid and semi-arid characteristics, such as Somalia, Borena, Afar, late-onset), high rainfall, early cessation of rainfall, hailstorms, heavy
and some parts of Guji and Bale, which have less than 500 mm of rain/floods, and modifications to the timing and length of
annual precipitation (Asrat and Simane, 2018). Drought is one of the seasonal rains.
most painful natural disasters occurring in arid The main effects were significant food shortage, decreased
tropical environments. livestock production, farmers turning to selling livestock, extensive
Figure 3 illustrates how significant declines in the main economic crop damage, decreased yield, loss of water points and pastures, loss
variables at the national level were caused by climate change and of grazing, dwellings and properties, soil erosion, loss of soil fertility,
variability. In the past, present, and future, the effects of climate and water-logging of fields. Food scarcity, the need to buy food,
variability and change not only drive GDP at market price, but also vulnerability to hunger, financial strain, inflation, labor migrations,
adversely affect rural livelihoods and Ethiopia as a whole (Maalin social unrest, loss of assets and income, selling household possessions
et al., 2022; Ochieng et al., 2016). like oxen and other livestock, migration in search of non-farm labor
Recurrent droughts and erratic precipitation have lowered opportunities, water and sanitation crises, significant loss of life and
livestock and agricultural productivity, leading to an increase in food an increase in the number of homeless people, milk shortage, poor
poverty and revenue loss. 97.5% of the pastoralists and most agro- nutrition among children and nursing mothers, and complete reliance
pastoral households faced food insecurity because of livestock losses on outside food sources were the results (Weldemariam et al., 2023).
and crop failure during droughts (Abrham et al., 2020; Ochieng According to the technical reports of USAID (2015) and CRGE
et al., 2016). (2011), the impact of climate change is based on the similarity of the
According to the 2013 IPCC assessment, climate variability and agro-ecological zones to a greater or less degree. Lowland and semi-
change in East Africa will exacerbate food insecurity, lead to the lowland areas are more sensitive to climate change and variability than
collapse of food systems, cause rural livelihoods to disappear, result in highland agro-ecological zones. In the lowland part, the adverse
revenue losses, and reduce crop and livestock productivity. Zenebe impact of climate change and variability is noticeable in two extreme
et al. (2011), found a decline in the average incomes of rural farmers weather events, drought, and flood, which increase the vulnerability
as a result of climate-related shocks, and EFD (2012) also found a 30% of society and result in repeated severe food deficiency and poverty
loss of income in Ethiopian rural areas as a result of climate change problems by citing (Asfaw et al., 2013).
and variability. Therefore,; climate change and variability hazards are events or
occurrences that have the potential to cause injury to life, or damage
to property or the environment on which the community depends on
6 Impact of climate change and its social and economic existence (Cherinet, 2019; Ward, 2014).
variability We have seen severe hunger and starvation in Borena, Somalia,
Guji, and West Guji in recent years. Common climate change hazards
The agro-ecological zone climate change and variability in include drought, flood, landslide, and soil erosion. These have resulted
Ethiopia, as reported by the USAID in 2015 and CRGE in 2011, is in crop infestation and livestock diseases, as well as the death of biotic
largely similar in terms of its hazards, impacts, and consequences organisms such as life like cattle, sheep, and goats. According to the
across regions. Most of the risks were drought (low rainfall, IPPC report (Abbass et al., 2022), rising temperatures, storms, floods,

FIGURE 3
Percentage change in major economic variables at the national level by decades in Ethiopia. Source: Solomon et al. (2021).

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and droughts linked to climate change and variability would result in Borena (Belay et al., 2017). Farmers also employed non-farm,
population displacement, fatalities, and negative effects on freshwater low-return, and less capital-intensive occupations, such as everyday
availability and quality According to USAID (2015), climate change labor work.
effects have been felt strongly by all communities, particularly by rural Therefore, households use crop diversification, seasonal cropping,
livelihoods. These effects include extensive crop damage, decreased and land management practices, along with agricultural inputs such
yield, loss of water points and pastures, livestock disease, loss of as pesticides and fertilizers, to increase productivity and adapt to
grazing land, soil erosion, loss of soil fertility, and field waterlogging farm-based techniques.
of fields. Additionally, there is a significant scarcity of food, farmers Crop failure risks are reduced for rural livelihoods by using
resorting to selling their livestock, and migration in search of pastures selected agricultural strategies (Etana et al., 2021; Jervis, 2011). In
and water. All of these issues mostly impact rural livelihoods. Ethiopia, farmers face unpredictable production conditions, such as
This research clarifies how changes in temperature and precipitation erratic rainfall and drought, either waiting for the long rainy season or
affect the environment, biotic life, and socioeconomic standing of a sacrificing long-duration crops. Modern irrigation systems in lowland
region, particularly in less-developed nations such as Ethiopia. This is areas provide market-targeted crops and fruits. Nevertheless, shifting
what Ethiopians are witnessing. Thus, the majority of Ethiopian societies planting dates has less of an impact on lowland farmers. According to
experienced food insecurity and had to wait for food assistance. Animal Etana et al. (2021), these area have shorter crop-growing seasons than
holdings per household are affected by frequent droughts and rising heat highland and midland areas, suggesting that there are fewer
stress. In Somalia, 81% of agro-pastoralists and 100% of pastoralists possibilities for adjusting planting times in lowland areas.
reported that climate change negatively affected cattle quantity and Crop diversification is an effective technique to deal with climate
production (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2020; United Nations change and variability, and it lowers production risks, because various
Development Programme, 2019). crops respond differently to different climatic circumstances owing to
The above-mentioned effects of climate change and variability in genetic differences (Bangwayo-skeete et al., 2012). In addition, crop
Ethiopia were also reported by Nkomwa et al. (2014), who found that in diversification benefits farmers with larger landholdings by increasing
the same agroecology of southern Malawi, climate variability has led to their livelihoods, boosting productivity, and improving yield stability.
increased crop failure, higher losses of livestock assets, migration, food It is crucial for low-income households to address, food assistance,
shortages, loss of biodiversity, and negative effects on human development. starvation, and hunger, and create a society free from poverty (Dessie
et al., 2019). This was also reported by Mussema et al. (2015).
Terracing, building stone or soil bunds, planting trees, and other
7 Climate change and variability land management techniques are crucial for adapting and adjusting to
adaptation strategy the variability of climate change based on agro-ecological settings.
These results may indicate that farmers’ livelihoods that employ land
Ethiopian farmers use a variety of strategies, considering their management techniques are more sustainable than those of farmers
particular agro-ecological characteristics, to adapt to climate change who do not (Regulations and Management, 2020; Liu et al., 2018).
and variability. The highland, lowland, and mid-altitude regions of Water logging is a major issue for agricultural productivity in highland
Ethiopia are shown in Figure 4; along with the adaptation locations, whereas slope topography, flash floods, erosion, and other
mechanisms that Ethiopian society has evolved to deal with variables contribute to Ethiopian farmers’ susceptibility to climate
fluctuations in the climate. The figure indicates that the highland, change and variability. Thus, land management and land use planning
lowland, and mid-altitude regions were the main users of improved contribute to the reduction of issues by increasing agricultural output
seed, irrigation, and non-farm pursuits including trading, such as and promoting ecosystem functioning, all of which enhance the

FIGURE 4
Relative distribution of the use of adaptation strategies by agro-ecological settings. Source: Etana et al. (2021).

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sustainability of rural communities’ livelihoods (Robbins and localized research, promoting integrated mitigation and adaptation
Williams, 2005; Squires and Feng, 2018). strategies, strengthening policy support, and fostering collaboration
and funding through international partnerships and climate finance.

8 Conclusion
Author contributions
In Ethiopia, climate change and variability are fundamental.
According to several authors, the analysts concluded that Ethiopia has BD: Formal analysis, Writing – original draft. TR: Writing –
experienced several unique problems as a result of climate change and review & editing. SM: Writing – review & editing.
variability, including recurrent dry seasons, especially in the country’s
southern and southeast, a decline in horticultural productivity and
efficiency due to Ethiopia’s rainy season, an increase in flooding Funding
events, including the arrival of Borena in 2023, a rise in temperature,
a decrease in precipitation, and a deeply fractured socioeconomic The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for
system as a result of Ethiopians’ declining sources of income the research and/or publication of this article.
and production.
Ethiopia is experiencing negative effects of climate change and
unpredictability on several fronts, including crop productivity, Conflict of interest
livestock productivity, and rearing, land productivity, water
availability, biotic growth, and rangeland quality and, soil productivity. The authors declare that the research was conducted in the
As a result, the government and community should place a proper absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could
prioritize forestation, reforestation, area enclosure, and soil and be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
water conservation. The reviewer GSO declared a shared affiliation with the author SM
Damage to agricultural productivity and efficiency directly and to the handling editor at the time of review.
indirectly affects employment in rural areas. When we reviewed
various studies related to climate change and variability in Ethiopia’s
adjustment capacity and commonsense exercises to diminish climate Generative AI statement
change and variability, we found that a variety of measures have been
employed to moderate the antagonistic impact of climate change and The author(s) declare that no Gen AI was used in the creation of
variability. These measures include selecting trimming hones, using this manuscript.
advanced input, editing expansion, arriving at administration
exercises, and more. The research highlights the importance of
mitigation strategies in addressing climate change’s root causes and Publisher’s note
reducing its adverse effects on rural livelihoods in Ethiopia. Key
strategies include sustainable agriculture, renewable energy access, All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors
reforestation, and efficient water resource management. This holistic and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations,
approach ensures long-term sustainability and improved quality of life or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product
for rural communities. The recommendations for addressing climate that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its
change impacts on Ethiopian rural livelihoods include enhancing manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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