Global Journal of Earth and Environmental Science

The Earth's climate is ever-evolving. The detected warming aligns with the anticipated impacts of greenhouse gases released by human activities. Seventy per cent of the global impoverished population resides in rural regions, and rural livelihoods are particularly susceptible to climate change. The effects of climate change on rural populations are detrimental. Nonetheless, certain effects may also be beneficial. This review highlights the strategies rural communities adopt to mitigate and adapt to changing environmental conditions, focusing on agricultural practices, water resource management, livelihood diversification, community resilience, and traditional knowledge. Rural communities rely on these adaptation strategies to cope with increasingly frequent extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and unpredictable rainfall patterns, which significantly affect agriculture and food security. The study examines how these adaptation responses are influenced by socioeconomic factors, government policies, and local capacities. Moreover, the study integrates Resilience Theory, CBA Theory, and SES Theory to examine adaptation. These theories emphasise absorbing shocks, leveraging local knowledge, and balancing human-ecological systems for sustainable resilience. By employing a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data collection, the study draws on case studies from various rural contexts to identify patterns and commonalities in adaptation strategies. Qualitative data from existing studies provide insights into community perceptions, local practices, and traditional knowledge. Meanwhile, quantitative data collected through surveys enable a broader assessment of adaptation practices and the extent of climate impacts. This approach allows for a nuanced understanding of the factors driving adaptive behaviour and the barriers faced by rural communities in achieving sustainable responses. The findings underscore the need for policies that integrate local knowledge and address specific vulnerabilities of rural areas. They also highlight the importance of community-based strategies in enhancing resilience and promoting sustainable development in the face of environmental change.