TY - JOUR
T1 - Future research directions for understanding the interconnections between climate change, water scarcity, and mobility in rural Central Asia
AU - Hermans, Kathleen
AU - Djanibekov, Nodir
AU - Abdullaev, Iskandar
AU - Abduvalieva, Nilufar
AU - Assubayeva, Aliya
AU - Blondin, Suzy
AU - Bobojonov, Ihtiyor
AU - Conrad, Christopher
AU - Herzfeld, Thomas
AU - Kansiime, Johnson
AU - Kimsanova, Barchynai
AU - Laldjebaev, Murodbek
AU - Mirkasimov, Bakhrom
AU - Murzakulova, Asel
AU - Rajabova, Svetlana
AU - Samakov, Aibek
AU - Schraven, Benjamin
AU - Sterly, Harald
AU - Umirbekov, Atabek
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2024/12/3
Y1 - 2024/12/3
N2 - Central Asia faces substantial water scarcity due to increasing water demand driven by rapid urbanization, population growth, economic development, and inefficiency of irrigated agriculture. These developments are compounded by the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, loss of glacier mass and increased frequency of extreme events, including droughts. The region's escalating water scarcity is causing disputes and straining rural livelihoods. Moreover, these challenges drive migration, creating considerable societal impacts. However, these issues remain underexplored in climate change research, making the region a global blind spot in climate adaptation and migration studies. We advocate for innovative research pathways that scrutinize smallholder adaptation strategies, examine the nexus between climate change, water scarcity, and mobility, and investigate tensions and cooperation over water resources. We conclude by emphasizing that substantial investments in inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, improved data availability and quality, and strengthening of research and institutional capacities are essential to advance interdisciplinary climate impact research in Central Asia. Such efforts are vital for addressing existing knowledge gaps and enhancing evidence-based policymaking to improve the region’s position in current and future debates on climate change and sustainable development.
AB - Central Asia faces substantial water scarcity due to increasing water demand driven by rapid urbanization, population growth, economic development, and inefficiency of irrigated agriculture. These developments are compounded by the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, loss of glacier mass and increased frequency of extreme events, including droughts. The region's escalating water scarcity is causing disputes and straining rural livelihoods. Moreover, these challenges drive migration, creating considerable societal impacts. However, these issues remain underexplored in climate change research, making the region a global blind spot in climate adaptation and migration studies. We advocate for innovative research pathways that scrutinize smallholder adaptation strategies, examine the nexus between climate change, water scarcity, and mobility, and investigate tensions and cooperation over water resources. We conclude by emphasizing that substantial investments in inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, improved data availability and quality, and strengthening of research and institutional capacities are essential to advance interdisciplinary climate impact research in Central Asia. Such efforts are vital for addressing existing knowledge gaps and enhancing evidence-based policymaking to improve the region’s position in current and future debates on climate change and sustainable development.
KW - Central Asia
KW - Climate Change
KW - Adaptation
KW - Water Scarcity
KW - Climate mobilities
KW - Research priorities
KW - Climate change
KW - Water scarcity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85211568483&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/17565529.2024.2436090
DO - 10.1080/17565529.2024.2436090
M3 - Annotation
SN - 1756-5529
SP - 1
EP - 10
JO - Climate and Development
JF - Climate and Development
ER -