Climate Change in Chile: climatic trends and farmer’s perceptions

Abstract

This paper suggest the need to use both qualitative and quantitative research methods to engage stakeholders across scales so as to improve Chile´s adaptation policy framework. Historic climatic trends show alarming changes, both in rainfall and temperature patterns. In large parts of central Chile annual rainfall has considerably diminish by more than 1 mm per m2 per year since the 20th century. Moreover, throughout the 20th and first part of the 21st century, minimum and maximum mean temperatures have generally increased, but in some cases they have decreased. Socioeconomic groups, such as farmers, are highly exposed to extreme weather events, being in all cases aware of climatological changes. In addition, farmers are a reliable source of past/present weather information, while being imperative on the understanding of other socioeconomic and environmental related issues. Nevertheless, instead of being considered in the decision making-process they are often left apart. Finally, this paper thoroughly analyzes climatic trends in central Chile, Coquimbo and Maule regions, the ways they are being perceived by weather dependent groups and whether the government is generating sufficient tools for adaptation to the changing weather conditions.