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Item Open Access Social resilience to climate change in Lesotho(University of the Free State, 2016-01-31) Molaoa, Tlaleng; Redelinghuys, NolaEnglish: Natural phenomena have played a part in climate change over extended periods of time. Some of these natural causes of climate change include changes in topography and land-sea geography. However, since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution human activity, such as burning of fossil fuels, has caused major changes in the climate. Climate change has had an impact on and continues to affect health, agriculture, fresh water (which is essential for health), food production and sanitation. Since climate change effects on every aspect of our daily lives, developing countries remain more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The study aimed to meet the following objectives: * To assess the effects of climate change on the population of Lesotho; * To explore the current national policy framework in place to address matters relating to climate change; * To identify gaps between the needs of subsistence-based farmers and the current national policy framework on climate change; and * To make recommendations to improve the effectiveness of current mitigating and adaptation measures put forth by the Lesotho government to deal with the impacts of climate change. The study involved three populations: Agriculture-based households from five villages, selected in accordance with the five ecological zones in Maseru district, focus groups involving at least five farmers each, and key informants in government and international agencies, who are knowledgeable about issues pertaining to climate change and policy development in Lesotho. The researcher used a mixed-methods approach by implementing both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The data was gathered by means of a community survey (quantitative), key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with community members (qualitative). The study concludes with the following: * A review of impacts of climate change on Lesotho; * A review of policies put in place to address matters relating to climate change; * Identification of gaps between policy makers and subsistence-based farmers. From the conclusions reached, the following recommendations were made: * Climate change will need to be considered systematically at all levels of development in order to have detailed knowledge on natural and human conditions; * The government of Lesotho needs to build on initiatives that are being implemented by various stakeholders, such as the Africa Adaptation Programme; * Government institutions should partner with civil society organisations involved with matters of climate change; and * Technologies need to be put in place to increase Lesotho’s adaptability to and resilience as it relates to the effects of climate change.