Rising salinity, growing concerns: Climate change adaptation and human security in the Mekong Delta

Summary

The thesis investigates how climate change and adaptation strategies affect rural livelihoods and social dynamics in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The results show that different adaptation strategies, including planting date compliance, salt-tolerant rice varieties, salinity-barrier infrastructure, alternative land use, and migration, have varied and sometimes unintended effects. While adaptation efforts can improve productivity and farmers’ livelihoods, they may also generate more social tensions due to uneven impacts on different groups. The study also explores how unequal decision-making power and opportunity costs are linked to increased destructive behaviors among farmers. In addition, applying human security analysis can offer a more holistic approach to uncovering the multifaceted and connected climate vulnerabilities spanning economic, food, environmental, health, personal, community, and political dimensions.
The thesis emphasizes that climate change isn’t just about technology; it’s also about supporting people and communities in a fair and sustainable way.