AdaptNet for 4 March 2008
- Stern Review Methodology – An Assessment
- Asian Cities Face Rising Flood Threat
- Regional Impacts of Climate Change – United States
- Role of the Media in Disasters – Asia Pacific
- Science of Climate Change – Disagreements
- Climate Change and Restoration – Call for Submissions
1. Stern Review Methodology – An Assessment
The paper contains a detailed examination of key elements of the Stern Review’s analytical approach. It finds that value judgements and ethical perspectives in key parts of the Stern Review’s analysis led to estimates of future economic damages being substantially higher, and abatement costs lower, than most previous studies.
The Stern Review: An Assessment of its Methodology, Rick Baker et al., Staff Working Paper, Australian Productivity Commission, Commonwealth of Australia, January 2008 [PDF]
2. Asian Cities Face Rising Flood Threat
The study finds that cities with the highest value of property and infrastructure assets exposed to coastal flooding today are primarily in developed countries. Looking ahead to the 2070s, it finds that exposure will increase most rapidly in developing countries, with eight of the top ten cities in Asia at risk. The study helps policy makers to determine where to focus adaptation strategies to climate extremes.
Ranking Port Cities with High Exposure and Vulnerability to Climate Extremes: Exposure Estimates, R.J. Nicholls et al., Environment Working Papers No. 1, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris, France, January 2008 [PDF]
3. Regional Impacts of Climate Change – United States
The report examines key impacts of climate change that are likely to affect different areas (Midwest, West, Gulf Coast, and Chesapeake Bay) of the United States. It considers non-climatic factors, such as development and management practices that are likely to exacerbate US vulnerability to climate change.
Regional Impacts of Climate Change – Four Case Studies in the United States, Kristie L. Ebi et al., Pew Center on Global Climate Change, December 2007 [PDF]
4. Role of the Media in Disasters – Asia Pacific
The book discusses how information, education and communication can help create disaster resilient communities across the Asia Pacific region, home to half of humanity. It takes a critical look at the communication lessons of the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004 and explores the role of good communications before, during and after disasters.
Communicating Disasters: An Asia Pacific Resource Book, Nalaka Gunawardene and Frederick Noronha (Eds), UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok and TVE Asia Pacific, December 2007 [PDF]
5. Science of Climate Change – Disagreements
The report, produced by a coalition of civil society organizations, says that governments should reject calls for a post-Kyoto treaty with binding limits on carbon emissions. It says a better strategy would be to focus on removing barriers to adaptation, such as subsidies, taxes and regulations that hinder technological innovation and economic growth.
Civil Society Report on Climate Change, Civil Society Coalition on Climate Change (CSCCC), International Policy Press, UK, November 2007 [PDF]
6. Climate Change and Restoration – Call for Submissions
The journal ‘Ecological Restoration’ is seeking submissions for a special issue devoted to climate change and restoration. Submissions (deadline: June 01, 2008) should reflect the ecological and social implications of climate change for restoration science and practice, as well as policy, ethical and technological considerations.
A Special Issue of Ecological Restoration: Call for Submissions – What does Climate Change Mean for Ecological Restoration? Ecological Restoration, Mrill Ingram and Andrew Light (Eds), USA, 2008
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Translations
For further information, please contact the editor, Saleem Janjua.