Climate change adaptation methods at the household level: Evidence from the Oghan watershed, north of Iran

Climate change is one of the most significant dangers of the new age, so identifying adaptation methods is very substantial in reducing the resulting vulnerability. The research objective was to reveal villagers' adaptation methods and strategies to climate change in the Oghan watershed of Golestan province, Iran. The study population consisted of 1158 households in ten villages in the study area, of which 297 households were surveyed by random sampling. Information was obtained from a questionnaire completed with the most knowledgeable male or female person in each selected household. The results showed that "creating new jobs, sources of income, and livelihoods" ranked first and "delaying repayment of the loan" ranked last among 31 methods to adapt to climate change. According to adaptation strategies, the first priority was related to "structural", and last was the "economic" strategy. While 72.8% of the participants used moderate to high-level adaptation strategies, the use rate of 13.4% of households was low, and 13.8% was very high. More income and knowledge about climate change, as well as participating in training courses and getting advice from change agents and facilitators, have been accompanied by using more adaptation strategies. Based on the findings, it is suggested to provide extension programs to familiarize villagers with climate change adaptation besides independent natural resources and medium-sized businesses. Increasing villagers' relationships with change agents and facilitators are the other suggestion.