Adaptive Management of the Global Climate Problem: Bridging the Gap Between Climate Research and Climate Policy

Abstract

To date the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concerned itself with gathering a state of the art review of the science of climate change. While significant progress has been made in enhancing our integrated understanding of the climate system and the dynamics of the social systems that produce an array of potential greenhouse gases, it is also clear from the panel's reports how far the science community is from being able to present a dynamic and synoptic view of the climate system as a whole. Clear evidence of these complexities and uncertainties inherent in the climate system is evident in efforts aimed at designing robust policy interventions. In this paper, we argue that the adaptive management framework in ecosystem management may be a useful model for guiding how the IPCC can continue to be relevant both as a scientific establishment and as a policy-relevant scientific endeavor.

Assessing vulnerability of forests to climate change in South Korea

“…However, we are still missing a framework that quantifies and unifies numerous climate change impacts on forests (Lindner et al 2010). Although climate research has significantly progressed in a variety of individual sectors, a synoptic overview remains elusive and it is often difficult for policy makers or the public to interpret (Arvai et al 2006). Therefore, this study suggests an approach for integrating model-based impact assessments, particularly focusing on how climate change may affect forest type distributions and carbon-related functions in South Korean forests.…”

Bringing values and deliberation to science communication

“…Adaptive risk management, sometimes called adaptive risk governance, is a response to the challenges of uncertainty we face in dealing with environment, sustainability, and technology (29)(30)(31). Recent studies from the US National Academy of Sciences call for adaptive risk management as the best way to cope with "America's climate choices" (32)(33)(34)(35)(36).…”

Local Government Planning Responses to the Physical Impacts of Climate Change in New South Wales, Australia

“…The Adaptive Management Framework (AMF) has been utilised as a conceptual framework for this research (Figure 2). The AMF is by definition a management framework that is dynamic and adjusts appropriately to a complex and continually changing world (Arvai et al, 2006;Hughes et al, 2007). Successful management of complex systems requires "governance structures and institutions that are flexible, with the capacity to respond and adapt to change" as conceptualised in the AMF (Hughes et al, 2007, p. 586).…”