AdaptNet for 24 July 2007

• 1 Studying Impacts of Bushfires on Water Quality
• 2 Climate Change Mitigation Efforts – California
• 3 Global Environmental Concerns – Local Level
• 4 Progress in Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction
• 5 Climate Change Vulnerability – Multiple Stressors
• 6 Global Cities Institute – Research Positions Available

1.    Studying Impacts of Bushfires on Water Quality

The paper describes a modelling process to assess the impacts of the fires that occurred in  2003 on water quality of receiving waters and river systems in fire affected catchments (Ovens, Kiewa, Hume and Snowy) in eastern Victoria. It assesses the likely impacts of the fires on loads of total suspended sediments (TSS), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in the water storages and rivers of the fire-affected catchments.

Using E2 to Model the Impacts of Bushfires on Water Quality in South-Eastern Australia, Feikema P.M., G.J. Sheridan, R.M. Argent, P.N.J. Lane and R.B. Grayson, In Zerger, A. and Argent, R.M. (eds) MODSIM 2005 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, December 2005 [PDF]

2.    Climate Change Mitigation Efforts – California

The report supplements the Air Resources Board (ARB) report “Proposed Early Actions to Mitigate Climate Change in California” and is a status report on early actions being taken by the participating departments and agencies of the Climate Action Team to mitigate climate change in California.

Climate Action Team Proposed Early Actions to Mitigate Climate Change in California: Draft for Public Review, California Environmental Protection Agency, April 20, 2007 [PDF]

3.    Global Environmental Concerns – Local Level

The article explores the obstacles that hinder cities from addressing global environmental concerns, the opportunities for removing the obstacles, and strategies for bringing global environmental issues to the local level. The author argues that the close linkages between global and local environmental issues and the potential economic benefits arising from addressing global concerns at the local level may provide opportunities and incentives for cities to take action earlier.

Integrating Global Environmental Concerns into Urban Management: the Scale and Readiness Arguments, Xuemei Bai, Journal of Industrial Ecology, Volume 11, No. 2, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Yale University, 2007 [PDF]

4.    Progress in Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction

The report analyses (based on a Mainstreaming Tool developed by Tearfund) how institutional donors are responding to the issue of disaster risk reduction (DRR). It interviews nine key institutional donor organizations to determine the level of priority they give to DRR within their relief and development programming, and the reasons behind this level of prioritization.

Institutional Donor Progress with Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction – A Tearfund Research Project in Collaboration with UN / ISDR, Tearfund and United Nations Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), 2007 [PDF]

5.    Climate Change Vulnerability – Multiple Stressors

The paper (using Indian agriculture as an example) presents a methodology for investigating regional vulnerability to climate change in combination with other global stressors. The methodology may be used to assess differential vulnerability for any particular sector within a nation or region, and it can serve as a basis for targeting policy interventions.

Mapping Vulnerability to Multiple Stressors: Climate Change and Globalization in India, Karen O’Brien et al., Global Environmental Change, Vol. 14, Page 303–313, 2004 [PDF]

6.   Global Cities Institute – Research Positions Available

RMIT University’s newly launched Global Cities Institute is looking for 15 leading researchers (03 professors and 12 research fellows). The new researchers will examine several key research themes including; climate change adaptation, globalisation and culture, community sustainability, urban infrastructure, human security and learning cities. Applications for most postions may be submitted by 3 August 2007 (10 August 2007 for professorial positions). For position description and information on how to apply, please visit the website given below.

Global Cities Institute Positions, Global Cities Institute, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, July 24, 2007.

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