Adaptation to Climate Change in Developing Countries

Abstract

The paper introduces the so-called climate change approach, where vulnerability and adaptation measures are assessed in the context of general development policy objectives. The approach is based on the application of a limited set of indicators. These indicators are selected as representatives of focal development policy objectives, and a stepwise approach for addressing climate change impacts, development linkages, and the economic, social and environmental dimensions related to vulnerability and adaptation are introduced. Within this context it is illustrated using three case studies how development policy indicators in practice can be used to assess climate change impacts and adaptation measures based on three case studies, namely a road project in flood prone areas of Mozambique, rainwater harvesting in the agricultural sector in Tanzania and malaria protection in Tanzania. The conclusions of the paper confirm that climate risks can be reduced at relatively low costs, but the uncertainty is still remaining about some of the wider development impacts of implementing climate change adaptation measures.

Climate Factors Play a Limited Role for Past Adaptation Strategies in West Africa

“…Although there is an increasing realization of the interplay of different driving forces for rural development and environmental change in the tropics (Lambin et al 2001, Reynolds et al 2007, Mbow et al 2008, understanding the relative impact of climate factors is not straight forward (Reenberg 2001, Mortimore et al 2005, Reid and Vogel 2006, Ziervogel et al 2006, Reynolds et al 2007, Thomas et al 2007, Tschakert 2007, Barbier et al 2009, Mertz et al 2009b). This debate has gained increasing importance as it is realized that the impacts of climate change, all other things equal, will require significant adaptation in many different sectors of society (Adger et al 2007, Mertz et al 2009a. In developing countries, many of the impacts are likely to be more severe than elsewhere, and because of the low adaptive capacity especially in the least developed countries, the costs and scale of the needed adaptation strategies may be prohibitive for many people, communities, and nations (Adger et al 2006, Mertz et al 2009a.…”

“…This debate has gained increasing importance as it is realized that the impacts of climate change, all other things equal, will require significant adaptation in many different sectors of society (Adger et al 2007, Mertz et al 2009a. In developing countries, many of the impacts are likely to be more severe than elsewhere, and because of the low adaptive capacity especially in the least developed countries, the costs and scale of the needed adaptation strategies may be prohibitive for many people, communities, and nations (Adger et al 2006, Mertz et al 2009a. For that reason it is essential that adaptation strategies are either very specific and well targeted toward a very pressing need or designed in such a way that they become 'no regret' actions, which solve more general development problems while at the same time addressing impacts of climate change.…”

Espeleoclima E Manejo De Cavernas: Estado-Da-Arte

“…Todavia, trabalhos recentes têm demonstrado a retroalimentação existente entre a biosfera e a atmosfera, como no caso das cianobactérias oceânicas e a formação de nuvens, corroborando em parte com as hipóteses geofisiológicas Lovelock (2006). Esta nova perspectiva vem sendo usada com maior frequência em estudos de dinâmica climática, em função dos princípios de vulnerabilidade do ambiente relativos à antropização (MERTZ et al, 2009). …”

Poverty index as a tool for adaptation intervention to climate change in northeast India

“…Recently, certain countries have started incorporating adaptation interventions as part of their overseas development assistance. This process, referred to as 'mainstreaming' climate change adaptation (Mertz, 2009), is part of Millennium Development Goals in several countries. Successful mainstreaming of adaptation includes planning for the smooth & coordinated functioning of the governing processes, individuals and institutions under the new climate change scenario.…”