Risks, opportunities and adaptation to climate change

Scheraga, Joel D.; Grambsch, Anne

doi:10.3354/cr011085

Cited by 120 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…However, for many firms distorted economic incentives (e.g., subsidies on inputs like seeds, fertilizer or irrigation water) and a poor business environment constrain their ability to respond to climate risks or take advantage of new opportunities (Scheraga & Grambsch, 1998;Agrawala et al, 2011;Begum & Pereira, 2015).…”

Section: Adaptive Capacity and The Business Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do African SMEs respond to climate risks? Evidence from Kenya and Senegal

et al. 2018

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a b s t r a c tThis paper investigates to what extent and how micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries are adapting to climate risks. We use a questionnaire survey to collect data from 325 SMEs in the semi-arid regions of Kenya and Senegal and analyze this information to estimate the quality of current adaptation measures, distinguishing between sustainable and unsustainable adaptation. We then study the link between these current adaptation practices and adaptation planning for future climate change. We find that financial barriers are a key reason why firms resort to unsustainable adaptation, while general business support, access to information technology and adaptation assistance encourages sustainable adaptation responses. Engaging in adaptation today also increases the likelihood that a firm is preparing for future climate change. The finding lends support to the strategy of many development agencies who use adaptation to current climate variability as a way of building resilience to future climate change. There is a clear role for public policy in facilitating good adaptation. The ability of firms to respond to climate risks depends in no small measure on factors such as business environment that can be shaped through policy intervention.

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Section: Adaptive Capacity and The Business Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do African SMEs respond to climate risks? Evidence from Kenya and Senegal

et al. 2018

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“…Therefore, when viewed at a broad scale, climate change can be viewed as a risk issue (Leiss 2001). Adaptation can reduce or moderate exposure to the impacts of climate change (Scheraga andGrambsch 1998, Spittlehouse andStewart 2003). An understanding of the perceptions of risk due to climate change is important for anticipating and assessing actual and potential adaptive responses of particular social groups.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of climate change risk to forest ecosystems and forest-based communities

Williamson¹,

Parkins²,

McFarlane³

2005

The Forestry Chronicle

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Perception of risk or subjective risk is playing an increasingly important role in risk assessment. This paper describes a study that investigated perceptions of climate change risk to forest ecosystems and forest-based communities among a sample of Canadian forestry experts. Data were collected by questionnaire from participants at a climate change and forestry workshop, sponsored by the Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaptation Research Network Forest Sector and the McGregor Model Forest held in Prince George, British Columbia in February 2003. These forestry experts were somewhat concerned about the impacts of climate change, and they appeared unlikely to oppose strategies for preparing for and adapting to climate change. The respondents felt that the effects of climate change on forests and forest-based communities are not well understood by the general public or forest managers. They also felt that there is a relatively high level of uncertainty about the effects of climate change, especially with respect to forest-based communities. These results have important implications, including reinforcement of the need for greater awareness of climate change risks and for increased research and monitoring effort targeted at reducing levels of uncertainty about future impacts at local scales.Key words: climate change, risk perceptions, forest ecosystems, forest-based communities RÉSUMÉ La perception du risque ou risque subjectif joue un rôle de plus en plus important au niveau de l'évaluation du risque. Cet article décrit une étude qui a porté sur les perceptions du risque associé aux changements climatiques touchant les écosys-tèmes forestiers et les communautés dépendantes des forêts parmi certains experts forestiers canadiens. Les données ont été recueillies au moyen d'un questionnaire complété par les participants d'un atelier sur les changements climatiques et la foresterie, commandité le Réseau canadien du secteur forestier sur les changements climatiques et les recherches d'adaptation ainsi que par la Forêt modèle de McGregor qui a eu lieu à Prince George, Colombie-Britannique, en février 2003. Ces experts forestiers étaient quelque peu inquiets des conséquences découlant des changements climatiques et ils ont semblé n'être vraisemblablement pas opposés aux stratégies de préparation et d'adaptation aux changements climatiques. Les personnes interrogées considèrent que les effets des changements climatiques sur les forêts et les communautés dépendantes des forêts ne sont pas bien compris du grand public ni des gestionnaires forestiers. Ils considèrent également qu'il existe un niveau relativement élevé d'incertitude rattaché aux effets des changements climatiques, spécialement pour ce qui est des communautés dépendantes des forêts. Ces résultats comportent des grandes implications, dont le renforcement marqué de la sensibilisation portant sur les risques reliés aux changements climatiques et l'accroissement des recherches et des efforts de suivi portant sur la réduction des niveaux d'incertitude rattaché...

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“…This level of certainty is correlated with willingness to invest or act to avoid climate change effects. This willingness is due to the perceived risks and severity of climate change consequences (Scheraga and Grambsch 1998). If these risks are assessed as insignificant, especially by decision makers, more severe consequences could result, because societies will not change their everyday habits and no mitigation or adaptation actions will be undertaken (Sundblad et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Region: A Cross-Country Analysis of Institutional Stakeholder Perceptions

Piwowarczyk

Hansson

Hjerpe

et al. 2012

AMBIO

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Before climate change is considered in longterm coastal management, it is necessary to investigate how institutional stakeholders in coastal management conceptualize climate change, as their awareness will ultimately affect their actions. Using questionnaires in eight Baltic Sea riparian countries, this study examines environmental managers' awareness of climate change. Our results indicate that problems related to global warming are deemed secondary to short-term social and economic issues. Respondents agree that problems caused by global warming will become increasingly important, but pay little attention to adaptation and mitigation strategies. Current environmental problems are expected to continue to be urgent in the future. We conclude that an apparent gap exists between decision making, public concerns, and scientific consensus, resulting in a situation in which the latest evidence rarely influences commonly held opinions.

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Risks, opportunities and adaptation to climate change

Cited by 120 publications

References 23 publications

How do African SMEs respond to climate risks? Evidence from Kenya and Senegal

How do African SMEs respond to climate risks? Evidence from Kenya and Senegal

Perceptions of climate change risk to forest ecosystems and forest-based communities

Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Region: A Cross-Country Analysis of Institutional Stakeholder Perceptions

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