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        <title>Frontiers in Climate | Climate Adaptation section | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/climate/sections/climate-adaptation</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Climate Adaptation section in the Frontiers in Climate journal | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
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        <pubDate>2026-05-12T19:37:07.810+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1827634</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1827634</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The climate justice implementation gap: are urban health and planning workforces trained for equitable climate adaptation?]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Policy Brief</category>
        <author>Mónica Acuña-Rodriguez</author><author>María Cristina Florián-Pérez</author><author>Fabriccio J. Visconti-Lopez</author><author>Nellys María Barrios Acuña</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Although climate justice has become a central principle in urban adaptation discourse, it remains unclear whether the professional workforce responsible for implementing adaptation strategies is adequately prepared to operationalize these commitments. In this policy brief, we examine the evolving scientific landscape of climate justice and urban climate adaptation. Our analysis reveals rapid expansion of the field, yet limited attention to workforce training and educational capacity. Only a small fraction of publications explicitly addresses professional preparation for equitable adaptation, while research on urban health (although more visible) still represents a minority of the literature. Strengthening interdisciplinary training at the intersection of urban planning, public health, and climate governance may therefore be critical for advancing equitable urban resilience.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1864366</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1864366</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Decolonial perspectives on Arctic resilience]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>Tanguy Sandré</author><author>Natalia Doloisio</author><author>Roxana Roos</author><author>Siri Veland</author><author>Jeanne-Marie Gherardi</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1785998</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1785998</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Climate vulnerability and adaptation pathways among smallholder sheep farmers in the Drakensberg Grasslands of South Africa]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Mhlangabezi Slayi</author><author>Shadreck Muchaku</author><author>Hlekani Kabiti</author><author>Simbarashe Ndlevhe</author><author>Admire Rukudzo Dzvene</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This study assesses climate exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity among smallholder sheep farmers in the Drakensberg Grasslands of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A mixed-methods approach combining focus group discussions (n = 89 participants) and key informant interviews was employed across three communal villages (Mabua, Tothaneng, and Madlangala). Results indicate that drought and heatwaves were the most frequently reported climate hazards (reported by 100% of participants), followed by frost, floods, and veld fires. Sensitivity was high, driven by severe feed shortages, increased disease prevalence, and high lamb mortality rates. Adaptive capacity varied across villages, with Madlangala demonstrating relatively higher resilience due to stronger social networks and farmer associations, while Tothaneng exhibited the lowest adaptive capacity. A composite vulnerability assessment revealed that Tothaneng had very high vulnerability (score = 4.4), compared to Mabua and Madlangala (high vulnerability). The findings highlight critical gaps in early warning systems, veterinary support, and infrastructure. This study contributes to climate adaptation literature by providing a comparative, place-based vulnerability assessment and identifying locally relevant adaptation strategies to support resilient smallholder livestock systems.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1820809</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1820809</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Ecological association between non-optimal ambient temperature and childhood developmental delay—a multi-country study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Miriam Sophia Meier</author><author>Maquines Odhiambo Sewe</author><author>Karim P. Manji</author><author>Mohsin Sidat</author><author>Daniel Kwaro</author><author>Carin Andrews</author><author>Jaya Chandna</author><author>Luong Nguyen Thanh</author><author>Ashish KC</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionA research gap exists regarding the association between non-optimal ambient temperature (NOAT) and early childhood development (ECD) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study investigates the association between NOAT and early childhood developmental delay across five LMICs (Jordan, Kenya, Mozambique, the Philippines, and Tanzania).MethodsDemographic and Health Survey data on ECD were combined with retrospective NASA temperature exposure using a case–control design. Exposure to monthly maximum temperatures was assigned to individual children aged 24–59 months (n = 19,407). Exposure–lag–response associations were estimated using distributed lag non-linear models (DLNMs), conducted separately by country and adjusted for stunting. Subgroup analyses were performed for children aged 48–59 months, with outcomes analyzed by neural domains.ResultsIn Jordan, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania, NOAT (95th percentile) was associated with increased odds [aORs-3.21 (0.63–16.41); aOR-3.61 (3.07–4.25); aOR-1.69 (0.97–2.94) and aOR-1.71 (1.19–2.45)], respectively. In the Philippines, NOAT (5th-percentile) was associated with increased odds of developmental delay [cOR-1.45 (1.25–1.68)]. Among 48–59 months, NOAT (95th percentile) was associated with increased odds of delayed development at lags of 20 months [aOR-1.14 (1.08–1.21)]. In terms of the association of NOAT with learning outcomes, lag months of 21–40, temperatures at the 95th percentile were associated with higher odds of delayed learning (L21 95th percentile cOR 1.01; 1.01, 1.01; L40 95th percentile cOR 1.22; 1.15, 1.30).ConclusionThe association between NOAT and ECD delay is of great importance for global development. Extreme weather events, such as heat events, will hinder the optimal development of children in low-income countries.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1816557</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1816557</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Legal pathways to address the “resource curse” in China’s critical minerals development: an energy justice perspective]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yu Liu</author><author>Aseri Mohammed Ayedh</author>
        <description><![CDATA[To advance global climate goals, China’s clean energy sector has experienced rapid expansion, driving a surging demand for critical minerals. However, the exploitation and development of these minerals have triggered a series of “resource curse” predicaments, which may influence the pace of China’s energy transition. This paper adopts the four-dimensional framework of energy justice—distributive, procedural, restorative, and recognitional justice—to systematically analyze the manifestations of the “resource curse” in China’s critical minerals development. The findings reveal that resource rich regions face the risk of single industrial structure and slowing growth; in some individual cases, environmental impact assessments have not been effectively implemented, and regulatory requirements have not been fully observed in mineral development; some enterprises have inadequate awareness and performance of ecological restoration responsibilities, resulting in lingering ecological impacts that require further remediation; and public participation needs to be more effective. These issues reflect some areas where China’s relevant legal systems can be further improved. This paper seeks to propose targeted improvements to the legal pathways under the current legal and governance framework, including optimizing the allocation of governmental ecological responsibilities, improving benefit distribution mechanisms, strengthening the supervision and accountability system, strengthening the institutional improvement of ecological restoration, and better empowering public participation. The aim is to alleviate the dilemmas associated with the resource curse and advance the sustainable development of China’s energy transition, while also providing a useful legal reference with Chinese characteristics for global resource governance in the context of the global energy transition.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1814299</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1814299</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Caring narrative research with local communities in the Arctic]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Anne Blanchard</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Narrative research and care have long been mobilised to engage with communities facing profound social and environmental change. While these literatures offer rich conceptual and methodological resources, questions remain about how care is enacted in narrative research in practice, particularly under conditions of epistemic and power asymmetry. This paper reflects on how care came to matter in narrative research within the SeMPER-Arctic project, an interdisciplinary collaboration exploring how Greenlandic communities experience and make sense of upheaval and resilience. It presents our reflections on what it meant to engage in narrative research with care, and on the demands this placed on our ways of listening, interpreting and positioning ourselves in relation to communities, knowledge and power. Drawing on ongoing reflexive work embedded in the project, we articulate three interrelated dimensions of care: (i) care as embracing the fleeting nature of narratives; (ii) care as post-abyssal thinking; and (iii) care as letting go of control by re-anchoring research in the present, informed by ideas such as ‘staying with the trouble’ and ‘living futures’. These dimensions do not constitute a prescriptive model, but offer a situated account of how care was translated into practice, questioned and negotiated over time, in dialogue with existing literature on narrative research, care, reflexivity and decolonial approaches. Through these reflections, we show how reflexivity became central to our caring narrative approach. While grounded in the SeMPER-Arctic context, this paper may resonate with scholars engaged in projects with communities, particularly in settings marked by social or environmental transformation, contested values and complexity.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1764243</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1764243</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Digital versus traditional agricultural extension for promoting climate-adaptive grape farming in the West Bank of Palestine: a randomized controlled trial protocol]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-26T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Study Protocol</category>
        <author>Amin Abu-Alsoud</author><author>Ameur Mehrez</author><author>Houcine Bchini</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundRainfed grape cultivation in the occupied West Bank of Palestine, a vital source of livelihood for over 7,000 farmers is under significant threat from climate change. While effective extension is crucial for building resilience, access to these services is highly limited by political and logistic challenges, with only 7.1% of farmers currently reached. Digital extension presents a potential solution to overcome these barriers, but rigorous evidence of its effectiveness in conflict-prone environments is lacking, as observational data is prone to selection bias, making it difficult to isolate the true impact of the intervention.ObjectiveThis study aims to address this critical evidence gap by rigorously evaluating the comparative effectiveness of digital and traditional extension services in a conflict-affected setting. It is the first experimental evaluation of its kind in a context where political constraints impede service delivery.MethodsWe are conducting a two-arm, individually randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 795 grape farmers in the Bethlehem and Hebron districts. The intervention arm will receive digital extension through agent-facilitated websites and WhatsApp groups, featuring instructional videos, peer-to-peer learning, and access to experts. This digital approach is specifically designed to overcome the logistic and security challenges of in-person service delivery in a region with restricted movement. The control arm will continue to receive standard services from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). The primary outcomes are the quality of climate-adaptive practice adoption and gross margin. Secondary outcomes include productivity, farmer capacity, and engagement with extension services. The study employs a pre-registered protocol with stratified randomization and measures to prevent contamination, ensuring internal validity and reproducibility. We will also assess implementation fidelity, cost-effectiveness, and causal-pathways through mediations analysis.SignificanceBy providing robust, causally identified evidence, the findings from this RCT will inform policymakers and international donors on whether digital platforms offer a cost-effective and scalable model for reaching marginalized farming communities in the conflict-affected regions. This research will contribute to the development of climate resilience and the design of evidence-based resource allocation for agricultural extension systems.Clinical trial registrationhttps://doi.org/10.1257/rct.16046-2.1, AEARCTR-0016046.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1779948</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1779948</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Mapping climate smart agricultural interventions in rice cultivation: a lexicometric and systematic review of methane emissions and yield outcomes]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Ravi Divyasri</author><author>Paul J. Mansingh</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionClimate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is a strategic framework designed to achieve productivity, resilience, and mitigation simultaneously. In rice cultivation, major CSA interventions are increasingly studied but evidence remains fragmented. This review consolidates global findings to clarify adoption drivers, intervention effectiveness, and thematic evolution.MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Sixty-one peer-reviewed articles (2015–2025) from Scopus and Web of Science were analyzed. Bibliometric mapping, lexicometric analysis, and the PICO framework structured the synthesis. Tools including Biblioshiny, CiteSpace, VOS Viewer, and IRaMuTeQ were used to examine collaboration networks, discourse clusters, and intervention outcomes.ResultsThe review identified consistent evidence of CSA’s potential to reduce methane emissions and enhance rice yields. Bundled interventions demonstrated stronger performance than single practices. Socioeconomic and demographic factors such as education, credit, and extension services were found to significantly influence adoption. Lexicometric analysis revealed convergence of discourse around sustainability, resilience, and innovation. Bibliometric mapping highlighted rapid growth of CSA-rice research, strong international collaboration, and concentration within key journals and author clusters.Discussion and conclusionCSA in rice cultivation delivers measurable triple-win outcomes but adoption remains uneven due to socio-institutional barriers. Policy frameworks integrating technical, financial, and social mechanisms are essential for scaling. Future research should prioritize comparative trials across regions, inclusion of demographic variables, and equity considerations to strengthen generalizability and guide targeted investments.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1704769</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1704769</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A scoping review of literature on climate change impacts among smallholder maize producers in low- and medium-income countries]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Samson Gachathi</author><author>Daniel Muasya Nzengya</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Climate change is redefining global agriculture through temperature swings, erratic rainfall, and frequent extreme events. According to the IPCC agricultural productivity growth in Sub-Saharan Africa has declined by approximately 5–6% due to climate warming, with maize yields particularly affected by temperatures exceeding 30–35 °C during critical growth stages. Smallholder farming communities face disproportionate vulnerability to intensifying climate hazards, yet knowledge regarding specific mechanisms through which climate variability affects smallholder maize producers—and evidence on adaptation strategy effectiveness—remains fragmented and methodologically limited. This is particularly concerning in Sub-Saharan Africa, where over 70% of maize producers experience high exposure and sensitivity alongside low adaptive capacity. This scoping review assessed gaps in empirical research on climate change impacts and adaptation responses among smallholder maize producers in LMICs. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search identified 86 peer-reviewed articles published between 2008 and 2025 and indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, and AGRICOLA. After removing duplicates using Zotero and excluding qualitative-only studies, grey literature, studies with undefined outcome variables, and those without inferential statistics, 38 empirical peer reviewed articles employing quantitative or mixed method were analyzed using descriptive statistics in Microsoft Excel. The analysis revealed three main outcome variables: adaptation strategies (70.3%, n = 26), perception (21.6%, n = 8), and climate awareness (8.1%, n = 3). Geographically, studies concentrated heavily in Ethiopia (19%), Ghana (19%), and Zimbabwe (14%), while South Africa, Lesotho, Nigeria, Tanzania, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DRC, Eswatini, and Kenya each accounted for less than 10%, revealing clear research bias. Cross-sectional research design dominated (n = 32, 86%), followed by exploratory design (n = 4, 11%) and longitudinal design (n = 1, 3%). Regarding theoretical frameworks, 28% of studies lacked any framework, 20% employed random utility maximization theory, and 52% drew on 13 other theories including adaptive capability, expected utility, protection motivation, socioecological system, and vulnerability theory— each accounting for 4%. Notably, no study incorporated moderation variables. The review reveals that while adaptation behaviors are well-documented, empirical evidence quantifying actual climate impacts on productivity, income, and awareness remains scarce. Future research should prioritize impact studies evaluating scalable interventions and utilize robust resilience metrics to strengthen smallholder maize systems.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1707752</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1707752</link>
        <title><![CDATA[An ARDL approach to assessing the impact of climate variability on freshwater resource availability and community vulnerability in Somaliland’s arid and semi-arid regions]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ahmed Awale Ahmed</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundClimate variability poses an existential threat to freshwater resources in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in fragile states like Somaliland where data scarcity hinders effective policy formulation. While the theoretical link between climate change and water stress is well-established, there is limited empirical evidence quantifying the specific impacts of climatic shifts on groundwater availability and community vulnerability in this context. This study aims to fill this gap by systematically assessing the long-run and short-run linkages between climate variables, freshwater resource depletion, and socio-economic vulnerability.MethodsThe study employed a longitudinal design utilizing time-series data spanning from 1990 to 2020. An Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach was applied to investigate the dynamic relationships between Borehole Water Levels (BWL) and independent variables, including Annual Rainfall (RF), Mean Temperature (TP), Evapotranspiration (ETR), Poverty Rates (POV), and Livelihood Diversification Index (LDI). Diagnostic tests, including Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and Phillips-Perron (PP) for unit roots, and CUSUM/CUSUMSQ for stability, were conducted to ensure model robustness.ResultsThe ARDL bounds test confirmed a significant long-run cointegrating relationship among the variables (F-statistic = 5.85). Long-run estimates revealed that a 1% increase in Mean Temperature and Evapotranspiration leads to a significant decrease in Borehole Water Levels by 0.80 and 0.60%, respectively. Conversely, Rainfall showed a positive elasticity of 0.35%. Socio-economic indicators demonstrated that increased Poverty Rates negatively impact water availability (−0.25%), while Livelihood Diversification exerts a positive influence (+0.15%). The Error Correction Term (−0.45) indicated a rapid adjustment speed, correcting 45% of disequilibrium annually.ConclusionThe findings provide robust empirical evidence that rising temperatures and socio-economic fragility are key drivers of freshwater depletion in Somaliland. The study concludes that reliance on rainfall alone is insufficient for water security. Consequently, there is an urgent need for Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) strategies, investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, and policies that promote livelihood diversification to enhance community resilience against the escalating impacts of climate change.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1762709</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1762709</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Analysis of trends and projected changes in summer and very hot days in Bosnia and Herzegovina]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Goran Trbic</author><author>Tatjana Popov</author><author>Vladimir Djurdjevic</author><author>Marko Ivanisevic</author><author>Slobodan Gnjato</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Bosnia and Herzegovina is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, particularly to rising air temperatures, prolonged heat waves, and altered precipitation regimes that increase the frequency and intensity of floods and droughts. This study investigates long-term trends of summer days (SU25) and very hot days (SU35) based on homogenized observations from five representative meteorological stations (Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Sanski Most, Sokolac, and Mostar) for the period 1961–2023. The above stations have a homogeneous data set and are located in different climate types. Results indicate a statistically significant increase in the number of summer days, ranging from 4 days per decade in Mostar to 8 days per decade in Banja Luka. Also, the increase in very hot days is pronounced, varying between 1.5 days per decade (Sarajevo and Sanski Most) and 5.5 days per decade (Mostar). Climate projections under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios suggest a substantial intensification of these trends by the end of the 21st century. The projected increase in summer days ranges from 5.8 to 66.6 days, depending on the scenario and location, while very hot days could increase by up to 58 days annually. These findings demonstrate that thermal extremes in Bosnia and Herzegovina are intensifying at a rapid rate, posing significant risks to human health, agriculture, and water resources. The results underscore the need for urgent, evidence-based adaptation strategies tailored to regional climate extremes.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1770361</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1770361</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Climate change perspectives of coffee farmers in Junín Mountain tropical forests and CMIP5 projections]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Alexis Nicolás Ibáñez-Blancas</author><author>José Miguel Sánchez-Uzcátegui</author><author>Zoila Aurora Cruz-Burga</author><author>Julio Alberto Chávez-Achong</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundClimate change poses a remarkable challenge for farmers due to its profound impact on ecosystems. Certain crops, such as coffee, are particularly sensitive. In Peru, global climate models project increasing temperatures, shifts in precipitation patterns, and intensified droughts. These changes are compelling coffee growers to explore various strategies to confront these challenges.ObjectiveThis study examined the perspectives of coffee producers in the tropical mountain forests of Chanchamayo Province on extreme weather events and compared them with projections from global climate models.MethodsA total of 253 surveys were conducted through stratified random sampling with efficient allocation among members of two local coffee cooperatives. In addition, precipitation and temperature data from 1981 to 2016 were analyzed alongside projections from three Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 models (Representative Concentration Pathways 8.5). Extreme events were projected from 2030 to 2065 using the CLIMDEX methodology, and logistic regression models were employed to examine the relationship between preparedness for climate changes and extreme events, incorporating variables such as gender, education, origin, and occupation.ResultsVariations in humidity, rainfall, hours of sunshine and coffee plantation behavior influenced the degree of preparedness among coffee growers. Consistent with the statistical models, farmers who perceived significant climatic changes were significantly more likely to adopt adaptation measures, showing a 31.3% increase in the probability of taking preparatory actions. Climate models and observed trends indicated that temperatures in Chanchamayo could increase by ≤3 °C from 2030 to 2065, accompanied by a reduction in annual accumulated rainfall by ≤400 mm. Farmers already reported experiencing drought and increasing temperatures, and projections suggested that these will intensify by 2065, with higher temperatures and reduced rainfall.ConclusionThis study underscores the importance of integrating local perspectives with global climate projections to design more effective adaptation strategies. Integrating insights of farmers into agricultural policies could strengthen the resilience of coffee production systems to climate change.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1780833</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1780833</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Beyond technocracy: why local knowledge is the cornerstone of climate adaptation in conflict-affected cities]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-02T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Perspective</category>
        <author>Siyad Abdirahman Siyad</author><author>Zakaria Hassan Mohamed</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Climate adaptation scholarship and practice are often shaped by technocratic approaches that prioritize engineered solutions, quantitative risk modeling, and centralized planning. While such approaches can be effective in stable institutional contexts, they are frequently ill-suited to conflict-affected cities, where fragmented governance, infrastructural damage, and contested authority shape how climate risks are experienced and managed. This Perspective argues that the marginalization of local knowledge in these settings is not merely a technical limitation but a political challenge that can reproduce vulnerability and reinforce existing power asymmetries. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature from climate adaptation, urban studies, and conflict research, the paper conceptualizes conflict-affected cities as spaces of compound risk, where climate hazards and violence interact in ways that strain conventional adaptation logics. It advances the view that local knowledge should be understood not as supplementary input to technocratic planning, but as a core adaptive resource embedded in everyday practices, informal governance arrangements, and social networks. By reframing climate adaptation around legitimacy, trust, and lived experience, this Perspective calls for more context-sensitive and politically aware approaches to adaptation in fragile urban environments. In doing so, it contributes to ongoing debates on climate adaptation by foregrounding the epistemic and governance challenges of adapting to climate change under conditions of conflict and instability.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1763521</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1763521</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Educational systems as drivers of social change for climate adaptation: evidence from Southeast Europe]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Kliment Naydenov</author><author>Antonina Atanasova</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveThis study aims to develop and apply an integrated index of educational systems’ readiness for climate education (CERI) to enable systematic assessment and international comparison. The primary objective is to identify strengths and gaps in policies, curricula, teacher training, resource provision, and school practices across five Southeast European countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Greece, and Croatia.MethodsIn recent years, climate change education has emerged as an urgent priority for policymakers and educators. However, there are significant disparities in how different national systems incorporate sustainability into their curricula, teacher training, and institutional frameworks. This study introduces the Climate Education Readiness Index (CERI), a comprehensive tool designed to assess the systemic readiness of education systems to teach climate change. The analysis focuses on five selected countries in Southeast Europe—Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Greece, and Croatia—each representing varied institutional contexts both within and outside the European Union. The methodological approach comprises a Delphi panel of 24 experts, an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assign weights to the assessed dimensions, and TOPSIS for validation. Six key dimensions were evaluated: integration into curricula, teacher capacity, assessment and accountability, resources and infrastructure, a whole-school and community approach, and policy and governance.ConclusionThe findings reveal that Croatia and Greece exhibit the highest levels of systemic readiness, bolstered by national strategies, funding, and evaluation mechanisms. In contrast, Bulgaria and Romania occupy an intermediate position with scattered initiatives, while Serbia falls behind due to a lack of coherent policies. Considering the existing international literature, the index results confirm established trends regarding teacher uncertainty and student climate anxiety, emphasizing the need for systematic institutional support. The study concludes that meaningful progress requires coordinated policies, professional development for teachers, robust digital infrastructures, and a comprehensive whole-school approach. The CERI Index serves as a reproducible framework for international comparisons, providing practical guidance for policymakers seeking to integrate climate education.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1763987</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1763987</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Climate change, disease dynamics, and breeding responses in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in Tanzania: a systematic review (2005–2025)]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-18T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Michael L. Daud</author><author>Papias H. Binagwa</author><author>Beatrice V. Mwaipopo</author><author>Deusdedith R. Mbanzibwa</author><author>Salma O. Mohhamed</author><author>Luseko A. Chilagane</author><author>Susan Nchimbi-Msolla</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plays a significant role in Tanzanian agriculture, sustaining food security and rural livelihoods for millions of smallholder farmers. However, its production is increasingly jeopardized by climate change and variability, most notably drought, heat stress, and flooding which has intensified both the frequency and severity of devastating diseases and insect pests. This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesizes findings from 103 peer-reviewed studies published between 2005 and 2025, drawing from leading scientific databases and institutional repositories focused on Tanzania. Results indicate that over 65% of documented disease outbreaks are attributable to climate extremes, which significantly influence pathogen virulence, life cycles, and host vulnerability. Drought was found to correlate with a 30–50% increase in wilt disease incidence, while heat waves accelerated disease progression in approximately one-third of cases with estimated yield loss of up to 40% by 2050. Flooding, though less frequently addressed, was identified as an emerging and insufficiently studied factor in soil- and water-borne diseases. Breeding initiatives in Tanzania have advanced drought, heat tolerance and resistance to diseases, yet more than 70% of programs continue to focus on single-stress resistance, with limited integration of multi-stress or participatory approaches. The adoption of genomic-assisted selection methods remains promising within national breeding efforts. This review underscores the necessity of transitioning toward climate-smart breeding frameworks, integrating multi-stress resilience, robust disease surveillance, and participatory research to enhance the sustainability and productivity of common bean cultivation under changing climatic conditions.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1744133</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1744133</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Living with drought: climate change perceptions, adaptation, and mitigation among farmers in rural Bangladesh]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Md. Mahedi</author><author>A. K. M. Kanak Pervez</author><author>Akira Ishida</author><author>Shabrin Jahan Shaili</author><author>Md. Nurnobi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The paper presents a new behavioural model that collectively focuses on how the smallholder farmers in the drought-prone Barind Tract of Bangladesh perceive, mitigate, and adapt with the effects of climate change. A survey of 385 farm households was examined with the help of linear and ordinal logistic regression models to point out socioeconomic institutional determinants of these behavioural reactions. Findings indicate that 46 per cent of farmers (n = 177) had a moderate perception of climate change, which was related mostly to lowered soil fertility, water shortage and decreased crop production. Age, education, and income had a significant positive effect on climate awareness (R2 = 0.692, p < 0.001), whereas agricultural extension, livestock ownership, and peer-to-peer learning had a positive effect on adaptive and mitigative abilities. Conversely, the lack of financial capacity and lack of access to the markets hindered climate action. The main practices by farmers were crop diversification (79%), soil-water conservation (66%), use of organic fertilisers (78%), and management of residues (69%). The novelty of the study is that it summarises perception, adaptation and mitigation into one analytical model, which exposes the behavioural interrelationships that constitute resilience. The results also highlight the effectiveness of enhancing social learning in networks, financial, and mainstream climate-smart agriculture in supporting low-carbon adaptive food systems in semi-arid areas of South Asia.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1743868</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1743868</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Determinants of climate change adaptation strategies’ adoption among maize farming households: evidence from Malawi]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Sydney Nkhoma</author><author>Lawrence Armando Kapito</author><author>Michael Mainje</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionClimate change poses a serious threat to agricultural productivity and food security in Malawi, particularly among rural households that rely heavily on rainfed farming. This study examined the determinants of climate change adaptationv strategies among maize smallholder farmers in Chipoka EPA in Salima District, focusing on irrigation systems, zero tillage, and water harvesting.Data and methodsPrimary data were collected from 120 randomly selected households using a semi-structured questionnaire, and the multivariate probit model was employed to analyse factors influencing adoption.ResultsThe results revealed that being male, higher education level, landholding size, income, access to extension service and perceptions of changes in rainfall and temperature significantly and positively influenced the adoption of adaptation strategies. The findings underscore the importance of both socioeconomic, institutional and agroecological factors in shaping farmers’ adaptive responses.ConclusionThe study concludes that enhancing adaptive capacity requires policies that strengthen extension services, promote farmer training, address gender inequalities, and improve access to financial and land resources. Expanding irrigation and water harvesting systems, alongside reliable climate information services, is also essential. Collectively, these measures can increase resilience, improve agricultural productivity, and ensure sustainable food security among rural farming households in Malawi.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1746574</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1746574</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Bridging smallholder farmers to climate information: the role of agricultural advisors in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Zoleka Ncoyini-Manciya</author><author>Sixolise Manciya</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge in many African countries, where smallholder farmers depend heavily on climate-sensitive agricultural systems. Agricultural Advisors (AAs) are positioned to support farmers’ adaptation efforts, yet their capacity to access, interpret, and disseminate climate information remains insufficiently understood. This study examined AAs access to climate information, whether they disseminate it to farmers, and whether the information aligns with farmers’ practical decision-making needs. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining semi-structured questionnaires administered to 77 AAs in the Ugu and Harry Gwala districts of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with six focus group discussions involving smallholder farmers. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS v28 and Excel, while qualitative data employed thematic analysis through Nvivo14. Results indicate that most of the AAs access seasonal climate forecasts, early warning data, and long-term climate projections. However, only 7.8% received the information from the South African Weather Service (SAWS). While 78.5% reported creating awareness on climate change and 72.5% on adaptation measures, only 32.4% felt confident advising farmers on coping strategies. Only 27.2% reported receiving sufficient information, 40.6% reported limited understanding of available adaptation strategies, and 45.3% had not initiated adaptation measures in their areas. Farmers similarly reported minimal engagement with AAs on climate guidance. These findings reveal a disconnect between climate information access and the delivery of practical, actionable advice. By examining both the AAs and farmers’ sides, the study provides locally grounded insights into extension service effectiveness. Targeted capacity-building for AAs and strengthened advisor–farmer interactions are essential to improve confidence, access to reliable, site-specific information, and provision of actionable guidance, supporting practical adaptation, enhancing smallholder resilience, thereby contributing to SDGs 1, 2, and 13.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1699078</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1699078</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Smallholder farmers’ adaptation at the climate–conflict nexus: a systematic review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-03T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Damasco Rubangakene</author><author>Christine Oryema</author><author>Martin Reinhardt Nielsen</author>
        <description><![CDATA[In conflict-affected settings, smallholder farmers’ adaptation is complex due to the interconnected nature of social, environmental, and economic vulnerabilities. While many studies have systematically reviewed the causal pathways between conflict and climate, less attention has been given to synthesizing evidence on how smallholder farmers adapt to climate change and contextual vulnerabilities in these settings. Knowledge on adaptation at the climate–conflict nexus remains scattered across disciplines, highlighting the need for a systematic review to consolidate evidence and inform resilience-building strategies. This study aimed to systematically review empirical literature on smallholder farmers’ adaptation to climate change in conflict-affected areas, providing an integrated understanding of adaptation strategies at the climate–conflict nexus. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines, a one-time search of scholarly literature was conducted on November 29, 2024, using the terms “climate change,” “conflict,” “adaptation,” and “smallholder farmers” and their synonyms, across three databases: Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, and ProQuest. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed, empirical, published in English between 2004 and 2024, and focused on how smallholder farmers respond to climate change in conflict contexts. Theoretical studies, non-peer-reviewed work, or studies that did not address both conflict and climate change or did not focus on smallholder farmers were excluded. A hybrid approach was used to extract and synthesize data from the selected studies. Most studies were concentrated in the Global South, with growing attention from 2016 to 2024, reflecting increased awareness of the climate–conflict nexus. The review identified eleven integrated strategies for addressing interwoven vulnerabilities in conflict-affected settings. However, 67% of studies did not link adaptive capacities to specific vulnerabilities, and one-third did not consider how adaptation is shaped by power relations within social hierarchies. These findings underscore the need for further research on socially stratified adaptation in conflict-affected contexts and highlight the importance of context-specific policies for smallholder farmers. By consolidating fragmented evidence, this review provides guidance for development agencies, local governments, and NGOs in designing integrated climate–conflict interventions that strengthen resilience, reduce vulnerability, and promote sustainable livelihoods.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1783343</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1783343</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Correction: Cultivating resilience: localized insights into climate impacts and gendered adaptation strategies in smallholder farming in Ghana]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-27T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Correction</category>
        <author>Frank Yeboah Adusei</author><author>Williams Agyemang-Duah</author><author>Yaw Asamoah Akowuah</author><author>Bolanle Oyindamola Adebayo</author>
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