Adaptation to mountain cryosphere change: issues and challenges

Abstract

The cryosphere provides multiple services to society, but mountain cryosphere is shrinking at an alarming rate worldwide due to climate change, threatening natural and human systems. Adaptation to cryosphere change is essential to avoid irreversible damage and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Although documenting adaptation actions and challenges is vital for preparing and implementing adaptation strategies, efforts to document and understand current adaptation practices specifically in response to cryosphere change have been limited. This paper synthesizes adaptation actions currently practiced in the mountain ranges of the Andes, Alps, Pamir, Tien Shan and Himalaya in response to cryosphere change, discusses common constraints and suggests actions for creating an enabling environment for adaptation. It identifies various adaptation measures adopted by different actors. These range from changing current practices and behaviour at household level to collaborative monitoring at regional level. However, most adaptation measures are autonomous, narrowly focused and short term, without adequate planning and government support. The physical challenges of mountain terrain, low adaptive capacities, limited knowledge and high uncertainty about future risks constrain widespread adoption of adaptation measures. Further research is needed to better understand factors influencing adaptation actions, and the policy options and responses that can overcome existing barriers.

Mapping evidence of human adaptation to climate change

“…In Ibadan (Nigeria), state governments established urban agriculture programs, 67 and city governments in Quito (Ecuador) and Lima (Peru) constructed large water reservoirs and water treatment plants to mitigate water shortages for urban populations. 68 Responses at the level of national governments also receive substantial attention in Small Island States. 69 Carribean governments, for example, have instituted education and capacity building programs.…”

From needs to actions: prospects for planned adaptations in high mountain communities

“…For example, adaptation action has increased since the first global assessment of adaptation in mountain areas (see McDowell et al 2014). However, most adaptations continue to be autonomous reactions to experienced climatic stimuli that are devised and carried out without reference to a formal adaptation plan (McDowell et al 2019;Rasul et al 2019). Although some autonomous responses might represent effective adaptations by resilient mountain communities, the widespread marginalization of mountain people in the Global South (FAO 2015) suggests that the prevalence of autonomous adaptations is indicative of inadequate adaptation support.…”

“…Furthermore, autonomous adaptations may deplete already scarce community resources, with the effect of worsening pre-existing socio-economic difficulties. In this context, concern about the status of adaptation in mountain areas is well founded and widely reported (Adler et al 2019;McDowell et al 2014McDowell et al , 2019Muccione et al 2016;Rasul et al 2019;Sud et al 2015). It is therefore critical to know more about the availability of resources for planned adaptations in high mountain communities, including mechanisms of support organized under the banner of the UNFCCC, the ways in which such support reaches (or does not reach) frontline communities, and opportunities for improving the fit between available support and community needs, preferences, and aspirations.…”

“…Nepal is a mountainous developing country (Human Development Index, HDI-0.579) where there is evidence of acute adaptation needs in mountain areas as well as significant efforts to address climate-related challenges (McDowell et al 2019;Mishra et al 2019;Rasul et al 2019;Sud et al 2015). Adaptation needs emerge largely as a result of climate-related changes such as rising temperatures, glacial recession, and changing precipitation dynamics as well as social factors that increase sensitivity and reduce adaptability such as reliance on resource-based livelihoods, limited state support, and poverty (Bolch et al 2019;Gioli et al 2019;Sapkota et al 2016).…”

The Global Social and Economic Consequences of Mountain Cryospheric Change

“…Cryosphere loss is therefore likely to have far-reaching impacts on societies, the economy, the environment, and ecosystems if appropriate measures are not taken urgently. The adaptation measures taken so far are limited, fragmented, and narrowly focused (McDowell et al, 2019;Rasul et al, 2019). A comprehensive risk management plan at different levels will be needed to minimize the adverse impacts.…”