Adaptation to Climate Change

The ways in which people respond to climate change are frequently analyzed and explained with the term “adaptation.” Conventionally, adaptation is understood as adjustments in behavior either to mitigate harm or to exploit opportunities emerging from climate change. The idea features prominently in scientific analyses as well as in policy programs. Despite its growing popularity over the years, the concept has also received critique. Social scientists in particular take issue with the implicit assumptions about human behavior and “fitness advantages” (or optimal behavior) that come with the term. Clearly, not all human and animal behavioral responses are “optimal” or display “fitness advantages.” To the contrary, sub-optimal and maladaptive behavior is rather widespread. Explaining the possibility of maladaptive or sub-optimal behavior led scholars to introduce the idea of “traps.” Trap situations refer to a mismatch between behavior and the social and/or ecological conditions in which this behavior takes place. This paper reviews the analytical value of traps for the study of human responses to climate change. It first lays out the theoretical assumptions underpinning the concept. A case study of the Tam Giang Lagoon, in central Vietnam, is used to evaluate how well the trap concept captures the sub- optimality and variety of human responses to climate change.

Adaptive radiation is considered an important mechanism for the development of new species, but very little is known about the role of thermal adaptation during this process. Such adaptation should be especially important in poikilothermic animals that are often subjected to pronounced seasonal temperature variation that directly affects metabolic function. We conducted a preliminary study of individual lifetime thermal habitat use and respiration rates of four whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus (L.)) morphs (two pelagic, one littoral and one profundal) using stable carbon and oxygen isotope values of otolith carbonate. These morphs, two of which utilized pelagic habitats, one littoral and one profundal recently diverged via adaptive radiation to exploit different major niches in a deep and thermally stratified subarctic lake. We found evidence that the morphs used different thermal niches. The profundal morph had the most distinct thermal niche and consistently occupied the coldest thermal habitat of the lake, whereas differences were less pronounced among the shallow water pelagic and littoral morphs. Our results indicated ontogenetic shifts in thermal niches: juveniles of all whitefish morphs inhabited warmer ambient temperatures than adults. According to sampling of the otolith nucleus, hatching temperatures were higher for benthic compared to pelagic morphs. Estimated respiration rate was the lowest for benthivorous profundal morph, contrasting with the higher values estimated for the other morphs that inhabited shallower and warmer water. These preliminary results suggest that physiological adaptation to different thermal habitats shown by the sympatric morphs may play a significant role in maintaining or strengthening niche segregation and divergence in life-history traits, potentially contributing to reproductive isolation and incipient speciation.

Das landwirtschaftliche Hagelrisiko in der Schweiz wurde durch die Versicherung im Ver-gleich zur Caritas-Solidarität im Ancien Régime neu organisiert und dadurch transformiert. Die Versicherung ist letztlich eine Kulturtechnik der Vergesellschaftung des Risikos durch seine organisierte Umverteilung. Bei dieser Umverteilung haben sich der Hagelversicherung in der Schweiz Probleme entgegengestellt, die typisch für einen kleinen Markt mit hohem Ri-siko sind. Im weitgehend unregulierten Markt des 19. Jahrhunderts machten die Hagelversi-cherer Verluste, mussten liquidieren oder zogen sich aus dem Geschäft zurück. Erst mit Hilfe staatlicher Subventionen nahm die Hagelversicherung eine ökonomisch stabile Form an, die Ende der 1920er Jahre durch Rückversicherung stabilisiert wurde. Dieses Geschäftsmodell hatte einige Jahrzehnte Bestand, ehe es — unter anderem im Zeichen des Klimawandels — erneut angepasst wurde.

The Amorites have occupied a central place among discussions of identity and ethnicity in the late third and early second millennia B.C. This contribution addresses the principal role that climate change played in altering trajectories in the development of Amorite identities in the ancient Near East during this period. To address this question this paper outlines a consensus position on the textual and archaeological evidence for Amorite identities prior to the aridification event ca. 2200 B.C. This is followed by an evaluation of the evidence for the effects of this climatic change on specific regions—from the Egyptian Delta to Northern Mesopotamia—and its implications for social interactions that resulted in varied, yet related trajectories in the development of Amorite identities. Risk mitigation strategies that were employed by the region’s populations are evaluated as a principal means of addressing how different populations sought to cope with the impact of climate change, alongside persistent cultural changes associated with anthropogenic phenomena. The author concludes that climatic change, while not solely responsible, did play a crucial role in shaping Amorite identities in the late third millennium.

My research has identified that based on the significance of our historic landmarks, there is an enormous opportunity for the preservation community to take the lead in facilitating the conversation about how our heritage can be an asset and even lead the conversation about creating a vision and a strong city for the next century.This report aims to build a bridge between the historic preservation community, which is made up of various preservation groups around the region, and planning for resilience in the city with the focus in Boston, Massachusetts. Recent change in weather patterns and climate change predictions have been a cause for concern in urban environments like Boston. With the existing vulnerabilities of an old water supply system, the City’s large amount of filled in land, and the rising sea levels, Boston has started to understand the risks. The common denominator for addressing affective resilient strategies is mitigating water-related hazards. By identifying some of those areas of vulnerability and through the interview process of asking the community directly what they see as a challenge in the vision for Copley Square for the next 50 -100 years, this report points out that there is a missing link in the process of planning for a more livable and more resilient city. Copley Square is located in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston and will serve as a point of reference for locally identified challenges and solutions. Back Bay is one of Boston’s nine historic districts, and Copley Square a home to four major historic landmarks which represent a verity of building styles, ownership and cultural resources.
Chapter one presents the history of the site and waterworks, including recent and existing water-related challenges for the area. Chapter two elaborates on the role of historic buildings now by presenting the cultural and social significance of heritage, and identifying specific vulnerabilities of the site in Copley Square. Chapter 3 outlines how heritage is affected by extreme events with lessons from precedence in the field of preservation and dealing with water related issues, along with some possible next steps to building resilience before the next disaster and climate change related sea level rise. In conclusion, the preservation community in the Boston region can bridge the gap between preservation and achieving more resilient buildings.

Adaptation to climate change and variability has recently become a subject of increasing importance in climate
change research with an objective to reduce the vulnerability of climate sensitive people. The present study was
designed to identify and assess the adaptation strategies followed by the climate sensitive livestock rearers of
coastal Odisha and West Bengal. Livestock rearers (480) were selected from 4 coastal districts of Odisha and West
Bengal. The study revealed that 17 adaptation strategies were followed by the livestock rearer. To trace the relative
importance among the adaptation strategies, an exclusively climate change adaptation index was developed. It was
observed that change in micro-climate in cattle shed/grazing area/stall was the most preferred adaptation strategy
followed by providing the frequent clean and fresh drinking water and additional washing/sprinkling of cattle and
buffaloes. Livestocks are very much susceptible to heat stress. Therefore, most of the livestock rearers followed
heat alleviating adaptation strategies.

The Asia-Pacific Issue Brief Series on Urbanization and Climate Change is a joint initiative from UNDP and UN-Habitat. The briefs brings forward some of the critical issues from ten municipal government representatives from Asia and the Pacific discussed at a joint workshop on‘climate change and pro-poor urban governance in October 2012, Bangkok, Thailand. The discussion brief series aims to continue this conversation on promoting sustainable and inclusive urbanization with  governments and development partners.

Climate change has had a significant impact globally, predominantly for those vulnerable to its influence. The first book of its kind, The Climate Resilient Organization assesses the issues that have mounted for decision-makers in the field, whilst providing strategies to tackle them. With a particular focus on building climate-resilient pathways for private sector organisations, the expert authors offer practical tools and decision-making criteria for evaluating adaptation needs, costs and benefits. Split into two parts this book begins with an analysis of the subject on a global scale; it continues by translating the science surrounding it whilst presenting it in a manner suited to local decision-makers.

Contents
Contents: 1. Business and Global Environmental Change 2. The Threat of Climate 3: The International Climate Policy Landscape 4. Implications for National Policy on Climate Change 5. Vulnerabilities and Impacts as Drivers for Change 6. Strategic Options for Adaptation 7. Responses to Extreme Environmental Changes 8. The Path Forward: New Frameworks for Business Strategy and Innovation

Further information
Climate change has had a significant impact globally, predominantly for those vulnerable to its influence. The first book of its kind, The Climate Resilient Organization assesses the issues that have mounted for decision-makers in the field, whilst providing strategies to tackle them.

With a particular focus on building climate-resilient pathways for private sector organisations, the expert authors offer practical tools and decision-making criteria for evaluating adaptation needs, costs and benefits. Split into two parts this book begins with an analysis of the subject on a global scale; it continues by translating the science surrounding it whilst presenting it in a manner suited to local decision-makers.

Sustainability and climate adaptation scholars as well as managers will equally find this book to be an insightful read. Government Officers and Risk Managements professionals will also find the topics discussed beneficial to their work.

Agricultural production is the most vulnerable to climate change than other sectors of the economy because its production process depends on climate-related variables. Persistent seasonal changes in the rainfall pattern in Nigeria have sent production seasons out of ambit in a country dependent on rain fed agriculture. The fragility of the Nigerian agricultural sector to climate change is thus, of fundamental concern to all stakeholders. It is hence, expedient to study methods of mitigating climate challenges in order to boost production and sustenance in the country. This study therefore, attempted to analyse farmers’ awareness, perceptions and adaptations to climate change. 270 respondents were randomly sampled in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. Triple hurdle model was developed to analyse the data collected. The result showed that the factors influencing the farmers’ awareness, perception and adaption strategies may not necessarily be the same and where they are, not of the same magnitude and direction. It was also discovered that though some of the farmers were fully aware of climate change, majority lack detail information and knowledge. There is the need for the creation of awareness through an excellent trained extension and restructuring of the educational sector to improve on the quality of agriculture in the country.

In my brief concluding chapter to this edited collection of anthropological essays and studies on climate change, I reflect on the roles of climate as index (climatic change) and as agent (climate change). I organise my thoughts around the ideas of causation, representation and instrumentalism and draw upon some of the ideas and arguments presented in the previous 13 chapters.

A case study conducted with the Canadian tourism industry identified that the level of awareness and participation in climate change mitigation strategies is low and that there is a need for further action if Canada is to position and market itself as a destination which is taking responsibility for climate change. This study used a qualitative approach that consisted of 24 in-depth interviews with Provincial Deputy Ministers of Tourism, other federal and provincial agencies, marketing bodies and industry associations across Canada. Results indicate that despite a relatively high level of awareness about climate change, the implementation of mitigation strategies was piece-meal in its approach. This non-regulatory approach to climate change action indicated that several small initiatives were taking place without significant collective action. This paper concludes that without national leadership on this issue, there is limited action occurring. A comprehensive, national regulatory framework is required in order to move the agenda forward to be able to market Canada as a responsible destination with regard to climate change.

There is increasing recognition of the significance of how traditional knowledges (TKs) can inform our understanding of the impacts of climate change and strategies for adaptation and mitigation. And yet there are potential risks to indigenous peoples in sharing TKs in federal and other non-indigenous climate change initiatives. We intend the term indigenous peoples to designate the diverse populations in the U.S. who could interact with federal and non-indigenous climate change initiatives in ways that involve TKs, whether in the U.S. they are federally-recognized, state-recognized, or unrecognized. We refer to “indigenous peoples” and “tribes” interchangeably in this document, unless we are talking about a specific group or a specific status related to recognition. These guidelines are intended to examine the significance of TKs in relation to climate change and the potential risks to indigenous peoples in the U.S. for sharing TKs in federal and other non-indigenous climate change initiatives. Although it is common to refer to "traditional knowledge(s)" as individual pieces of information, this term also refers to traditional “knowledge systems" that are deeply embedded in indigenous ways of life. These guidelines use the phrase "traditional knowledges" deliberately in plural form because knowledges are emergent from the symbiotic relationship of indigenous peoples and places - a nature-culture nexus. Tribes and indigenous peoples use “knowledges” to emphasize that there are diverse forms of traditional knowledge and knowledge systems that must be recognized as unique to each tribe and knowledge holder. These guidelines should be used to inform the development of specific protocols in direct and close consultation with indigenous peoples. [http://climatetkw.wordpress.com/] Federal agencies and national climate change initiatives are recognizing the significance of TKs, and are proposing and funding collaborative efforts between indigenous communities and federal and non-indigenous climate change entities in ways that involve TKs. This interaction requires an understanding of how individual tribes and knowledge holders choose to share or not to share TKs.

gLAWcal Newsletter - Issue no. 3, 2014: Focus on Climate Change and Renewable Energy

The Special Issue of the gLAWcal Newsletter with focus on “Climate Change and Renewable Energy” has been realized gLAWcal—Global Law Initiatives for Sustainable Development (United Kingdom) within the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) People, Marie Curie IRSES Project under grant agreement n° 269327, “Evaluating Policies for Sustainable Energy Investments”, Acronym of the Project: EPSEI, Coordinated by University of Turin - Dipartimento di Giurisprudenza.

Full text available at the following link: http://www.glawcal.org.uk/files/Newsletter_gLAWcal_-_Issue_3_2014_Final.pdf