AdaptNet for 5 October 2010

1. Adaptation in NE Arnhem Land, Australia – Indigenous Perspectives

2. Reducing the Climate Vulnerability of Coastal Communities – Samoa

3. Road Map to Address the Belmont Challenge

4. Costs and Benefits of Adaptation in Developing Countries

5. Trends in Climate Extremes Affecting Human Settlements

6. 5th International Community-Based Adaptation Conference 

Adaptation in NE Arnhem Land, Australia – Indigenous Perspectives               

This study attempts to improve understanding of factors important in the integration of indigenous peoples’ perspectives in planning adaptation policy in North East Arnhem Land (Yolngu community) of Australia. It suggests that strategies and policies are needed to strengthen adaptive capacity of these communities to mitigate over-arching poverty and well-being issues, as well as respond to changes in climate. 

‘Strange changes’: Indigenous Perspectives of Climate Change and Adaptation in NE Arnhem Land (Australia), L. Petheram et al., Global Environmental Change (article in press), 2010

Reducing the Climate Vulnerability of Coastal Communities – Samoa     

The paper describes a project undertaken in Samoa (Samoa Infrastructure and Asset Management – SIAM) to reduce the vulnerability of Samoa’s coastal infrastructure to climate-related hazards within the context of wider development challenges. The project developed a land-use and disaster management framework, which provided opportunities to explore how such a framework could be used for other small island developing states (SIDS). 

Policy Area: Reducing the Climate Vulnerability of Coastal Communities in Samoa, Michele Daly et al., Journal of International Development, vol. 22, pp. 265 – 281, 2010 [438 KB, PDF]

Road Map to Address the Belmont Challenge       

The Belmont Challenge aims to deliver knowledge to support human action and adaptation to regional environmental change. This preliminary report assess the willingness, readiness and capacity of the international research community to respond to this Challenge and addresses issues related to the integration of weather, climate, ecosystem, energy, health, agriculture, engineering and social science research. 

Regional Environmental Change: Human Action and Adaptation – What Does It Take to Meet the Belmont Challenge? International Council for Science (ICSU), Paris, August 2010 [946 KB, PDF]

Costs and Benefits of Adaptation in Developing Countries      

The paper focuses on the economic issues at play in developing countries where climate adaptation is most needed, and where a host of other constraints have to be addressed at the same time. It develops a framework for analysing the costs and benefits of climate change adaptation in developing countries and the specific contexts in which these could be applied in future research work. 

Climate Change Adaptation in Developing Countries: Issues and Perspectives for Economic Analysis, Muyeye Chambwera and Jesper Stage, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK, 2010 [158 KB, PDF]

Trends in Climate Extremes Affecting Human Settlements    

The identification of trends in climate extremes is vital if communities are to develop successful strategies to mange extreme events with changing frequencies or intensities. This review considers trends in climate extremes as determined from historical records and as projected from global climate models over the coming decades. It discusses the management strategies for some recent examples of extreme weather events and considers the future needs for various communities in addressing climate extremes. 

Trends in Climate Extremes Affecting Human Settlements, Michael J Manton, Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, vol. 2, pp.151–155, June 2010 [134 KB, PDF]

5th International Community-Based Adaptation Conference     

This conference will take place in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 24-31 March 2011. It is open to anyone interested in community-based adaptation including policymakers, non-governmental organisations, research and policy institutes, academics, and practitioners with a particular focus on grassroots adaptation work. The paper submission deadline is 31 October 2010.      

5th International Conference Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Ring Alliance of Policy Research Organizations, and the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS), Dhaka, Bangladesh, 24-31 March 2011

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For further information, please contact the editor, Saleem Janjua:adaptnet@rmit.edu.au 

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Associate Professor Darryn McEvoy (Program Leader) & Professor Peter Hayes (Program Advisor), Climate Change Adaptation Programme  

Saleem Janjua, editor AdaptNet