Local narratives of people living in Rhenosterspruit about Climate change and water

Abstract: The exploration of the interaction between nature and society is not new; anthropologists have been interested in this relationship for many years. However, there is a facet of this relationship that is only starting to be investigated by environmental anthropologists – that of climate change. Although not always framed as such, climate change is an example of an issue that crosses the boundaries both within, and between, different disciplines. Anthropologists specifically have a great deal to contribute to the discourse of this massive societal challenge. One such contribution is through the investigation into people’s local narratives and perceptions of a changing climate. This dissertation, inspired by the approach of multi-sited ethnography, conducts a place-based study in the Rhenosterspruit area of Johannesburg with two contrasting communities to explore community members’ narratives and perceptions of a changing climate and water. Water is a focus within this research as it is a mechanism through which people are able to ‘experience climate’. The ways in which individuals value nature was observed to influence how climate change was perceived. The findings of this dissertation could be useful to organisations attempting to implement adaptation or mitigation strategies at a local level. A thorough understanding of people’s perceptions of climate change would help such organisations design and introduce initiatives more suitable to local communities, and thus experience a greater measure of success in the long term.M.A. (Anthropology