Strengthening of local Research Capacities at the Bluefields Indian and Caribbean University, Nicaragua to confront the effects of Climate Change
Abstract
The Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua is one of the most vulnerable regions related to the negative effects of climate change worldwide. In addition the human capacities to design adaptation and mitigation strategies are still very limited. In order for the region to be able to adapt to the significant changes in the regional climate and its effects on the different vital sectors (agriculture, fisheries, forestry, tourism, health), there’s an urgent need for the generation of local scientific information as a base for decision-making regarding adaptation to the already felt impacts of Climate Change. Because of the substantial lack of climate data and climate and resilience research in the Caribbean Region of Nicaragua, the Bluefields Indian and Caribbean University (BICU) plans to install a Climate Change Observatory (CCO) at the central campus in Bluefields that will serve as a local platform for climate change research and information. BICU identified limitations in the technical and methodological capacities in climate literacy, research and monitoring within its technical, academic and scientific staff. Therefore its students and graduates are not sufficiently equipped with technical and research skills to address climate change relevant topics. Additionally basic scientific equipment is currently not available at the university for training and investigation purposes related to Climate Change. Within the here proposed project we aim to build local scientific capacity at BICU University with the support and guidance from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU). BOKU is an institution of international reference and experience in climate change related topics and can help to elaborate a climate research strategy for the CCO. This strategy includes traditional indigenous and afro descendant knowledge and a rigorous gender focus, as well as mainstream climate change in academia and environmental policies. BICU aims to strengthen its institutional capacities and position itself as an organization of reference in climate change related topics. With this capacities BICU will be able to provide guidance and assistance to local authorities for policymaking and strategic planning, prepare students for their professional challenges related to climate change and develop innovative community based adaptation solutions, based on local scientific information. This challenge will be taken on with the assistance of BOKU, which itself wants to broaden its horizon, strengthen international partnerships and according to its internationalization strategy establish equitable and respectful collaboration as well as a vital exchange of experiences and knowledge.
keywords meteorloogical measurements Capacity builting
Publikationen
Project staff
Herbert Formayer
Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr. Herbert Formayer
herbert.formayer@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-81415
BOKU Project Leader
01.03.2015 - 28.02.2018
David Leidinger
Mag.rer.nat. David Leidinger
david.leidinger@boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.03.2015 - 28.02.2018