Climate Change and Water Issues: Tech-MODE Tools for Strengthening Community Responses in Kenya

Abstract

PCF5 Sub-theme: Livelihoods // Climate change & water resources management are significant global issues with regional, national and local impacts. This is felt strongly in Kenya, where issues of drought and extended dry seasons, extreme flood events, low water levels in dams, greater weather unpredictability, changing livestock migration and lack of rural energy technology are intensified by climate change. // The scope of Technology-Mediated Open and Distance Education (Tech-MODE) approaches and tools is broadening as the potential is seen in enabling rural communities to enhance their livelihoods. COL has supported projects in India which have been using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools to enable farmers to link with research and academic institutions, commercial banks and relevant training material. Tech-MODE approaches have moved beyond the conventional educational realm into being used to promote community development. // With climate change and water resource issues having considerable impact on the ability of rural households to improve their livelihoods, there may be high potential for using Tech-MODE to enable communities to deal with these issues. The use of Tech-MODE tools and approaches to assist rural Kenyan communities in dealing with climate change and water resource issues is being investigated through a project involving three Kenyan institutions. // Paper ID 805