Strategy on climate change adaptation from socio-ecology approach: A philosophical-ethical assessment of Tam Nong district case study

Abstract

Impacts of climate change has been increasing the complexity and seriousness of extreme weather phenomena through changes in the relationship between natural and social systems, especially in low-lying terraced areas with difficulty in water draining in the Mekong River Delta, such as Tam Nong rural district, Dong Thap province, Vietnam, where flooding water is the main factor forming rice cultivation-the main production form of the residents. Nevertheless, the extreme evolvement of climate change, including inundation and acidified soil, is increasingly evident. It affects livelihood strategies in terms of productivity and income under circumstances of off-season rain and abnormally high temperatures. Therefore, active adaptation to climate change requires unified and synchronized solutions based on the outcome of scientific research with a suitable approach. Socio-ecology approach with a focus on analyzing the organic relationship among specific territory systems in combination with dominant factors will provide informative basics to ensure the rationality and harmony in selecting development model following the viewpoint of “respect and utilize nature” in the context of climate change. Such approach both reflects and cultivates socio-ethical responsibility on the side of the local officials as well as the people who are affected by climate change.