Jossias Humbane is a PhD candidate in the programme “Biocultural Heritage in Mozambique: developing new heritage industries”. He will defend his dissertation “Magude isn't like it used to be”: Intersections of social and climate change in Mozambique on December 16, at 09:15–12:00 in the Geijer hall, Eng/6-1023.

Jossias, what is your thesis about?

-My thesis looks at how people in Magude, a rural district in southern Mozambique, are living through and responding to climate change. I spent almost a year there, talking to farmers, cattle herders, fishers, traders, and local leaders. The study shows how droughts, irregular rains, heat, pests, and cattle diseases are transforming everyday life, reshaping farming, livestock practices, and local economies. I also look at how people make sense of these changes using their own cultural knowledge, memories, and beliefs, and how their strategies intersect with government climate policies. In short, the thesis is about how climate change is experienced on the ground and how people adapt in ways that go beyond technical solutions.

How would you explain the relevance of your research?

-I would say that climate change is not only about temperatures, graphs, and scientific models. It is also about people’s lives. My research is important because it shows what climate change actually looks like in everyday reality: how it affects food, work, water, family life, traditions, and hopes for the future. By listening to people’s own stories and experiences, we get a fuller picture of what climate change really means and what kinds of support communities actually need. This kind of understanding helps avoid one size fits all policies and leads to more grounded, fair, and effective climate solutions.

The thesis defence, December 16, is open for all.