Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently – around the world. The research project WellAdapt is investigating how society is dealing with and adapting to the increasing impacts of climate change using the example of Mexican farmers. The Environmental Behaviour and Planning working group at the Institute of Environmental Planning at Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) aims to use the project to unravel the interconnections between climate change, mental well-being and adaptation decision-making in the agricultural sector.
The WellAdapt (Mental well-being and adaptation decisions of Mexican farmers following extreme weather events) project has been granted funding for three years, until July 2027, by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Prof. Dr. Ann-Kathrin Koessler is leading the project, which includes researchers from environmental and behavioural economics and psychology. They are studying how extreme weather events influence the mental well-being of Mexican farmers and how this impacts their subsequent decisions regarding adaptation.
The project blends qualitative and quantitative research methods and encompasses three phases:
To begin with, the researchers want to unveil interconnections: Through a combination of focus group discussions, psychometric evaluations, economic experiments and therapeutic sessions, the project aims to bring together two largely unlinked topics: the impacts of extreme weather events on mental well-being and the implications for farmers’ adaptation decisions.
Second, the project intends to promote resilience: Based on the findings, the project will develop mechanisms to alleviate negative impacts on mental well-being, thereby promoting better decision-making with respect to adaptation.
Third, the project aims to enable policy interventions: The findings will provide input for policymakers on which measures they can take to protect economically vulnerable groups – particularly farmers in regions similar to Mexico that are exposed to extreme weather events.
Additional information:
https://www.umwelt.uni-hannover.de/en/research/forschungsprojekte
Contact information: Dr. Adrian Vargas-Lopez
Email: vargas-lopez@umwelt.uni-hannover.de
