"Só Deus me tira daqui": (i)mobilidade como resposta aos meios de subsistência

Abstract

Some regions and population subgroups, particularly in developing countries, are more severely affected by environmental changes. This can be attributed to their low adaptive capacity and limited access to alternative forms of production. This thesis explores how migration and other forms of mobility function as adaptive responses to environmental changes in the South/Southwest region of Minas Gerais, with a particular focus on the municipality of Poço Fundo. The primary objective is to understand how livelihoods and various types of capital (human, physical, social, financial, and natural) are associated with the adaptive capacity of the rural population in the face of climate change. The methodology employed combines quantitative approaches, utilizing the Demographic Censuses of 2000 and 2010 and the Agricultural Censuses of 2006 and 2017, with qualitative approaches, including semi-structured interviews with 29 rural producers in Poço Fundo. The quantitative analysis covers the demographic and socioeconomic characterization of the region, while the qualitative analysis delves into farmers' perceptions of adaptation and mitigation strategies. The main results indicate that although mobility, both in the context of migration and other forms, is an essential adaptive strategy to address the impacts of environmental changes, immobility also emerges as a significant response. The research highlights the importance of community cooperation, particularly through Cooperativa dos Agricultores Familiares de Poço Fundo e Região (COOPFAM) (Family Farmers' Cooperative of Poço Fundo and Region), which plays a significant role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and economic resilience among farmers. Furthermore, the diversification of crops and income sources was identified as a common practice among producers to mitigate risks associated with adverse climatic events. The thesis concludes that the adaptive capacity of farmers in Poço Fundo is influenced by a combination of socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental factors, and that cooperation and knowledge-sharing are crucial for the sustainability of rural communities in the face of climate change.