AdaptNet for 6 September 2011

1. Scenario Planning for Climate Change Adaptation (CCA)

2. At the Crossroads: CCA and DRR in Asia and the Pacific

3. Link between Extreme Weather and Climate Change

4. Health and Adaptation Opportunities – Australian Cities

5. Climate-related Displacement and Human Security: South Asia

6. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Asia – Thailand Conference 

Scenario Planning for Climate Change Adaptation (CCA)                

This brief strengthens knowledge about the most effective ways to develop and use scenario based strategies to improve CCA (climate change adaptation) decision-making, drawing on the recent experience of Victorian climate change adaptation policy-makers and practitioners. It identifies 33 examples of scenario planning being used to help meet CCA related objectives in Victoria in recent years.

Building Common Understanding of Scenario Based Strategies to Inform Climate Change Adaptation, Che Biggs et al., Climate Adaptation for Decision-Makers’ Series, The Victorian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Research (VCCCAR), Melbourne, Australia, June 2011 [4.05 MB, PDF]

At the Crossroads: CCA and DRR in Asia and the Pacific   

The report provides a snapshot of how DRR (disaster risk reduction) and CCA (climate change adaptation) are being integrated in the Asia Pacific region. It outlines numerous regional policy and institutional mechanisms related to DRR and CCA by highlighting potential areas for cooperation amongst regional and sub-regional organizations, including: governments; UN agencies; intergovernmental organizations; research and technical organizations; non-government organizations.

At the Crossroads: Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Asia and the Pacific, UN ISDR (International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) Asia and Pacific Secretariat, July 2011 [2.29 MB, PDF]

Link between Extreme Weather and Climate Change            

This paper answers some of the most pressing questions about the connection between recent extreme weather events and climate change. It presents climate change in a risk management framework so as to understand the threats of future extreme weather events. The paper draws from recent individual weather events and provides important lessons to help planners, policy makers, and individuals take action to reduce climate change impacts and prepare for future vulnerabilities.

Extreme Weather and Climate Change: Understanding the Link, Managing the Risk, Daniel G. Huber and Jay Gulledge, Pew Center on Global Climate Change, June 2011 [897 KB, PDF]

Health and Adaptation Opportunities – Australian Cities     

Climate change will have significant and diverse impacts on human health in Australia. The paper reviews the health impacts of climate change in Australian cities, including: thermal stress; air quality; urban vectors; enteric pathogens; and other health impacts.  It attempts to understand climate vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies involving interdisciplinary approaches to link physical, ecological, and social science. 

Climate Change and Health in the Urban Environment: Adaptation Opportunities in Australian Cities, Hilary Jane Bambrick et al., Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 67S-79S, 2011 [subscription required]

Climate-related Displacement and Human Security: South Asia

The paper reviews the key issues facing South Asia regarding climate-related displacement and identifies the gaps in social science research in relation to responses to these key issues. It examines the relevant existing social science literature on environmental degradation, natural disasters and displacement, and on what triggers migration as an adaptation strategy for individuals, households and communities. 

Climate-related Displacement and Human Security in South Asia: A Review of the Social Science Research, Susan Chaplin, Institute for Human Security, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, 2011 [557 KB, PDF]

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Asia – Thailand Conference

This conference will take place from 1-4 November 2011 in Bangkok, Thailand. It aims to identify new opportunities for disaster risk reduction and how these can be applied by using media, as well as working with the climate adaptation and economic developmental programmes. Professor Darryn McEvoy, leader of the climate change adaptation programme at RMIT University will speak at the occasion. For further details, please go to the website below.      

Conference: Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia: Identifying and Maximising Opportunities for Action, Wilton Park-West Sussex and Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC)-Bangkok, Tuesday 1 – Friday 4 November, 2011

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Professor Darryn McEvoy, Program Leader, RMIT University Climate Change Adaptation Programme

Professor Peter Hayes, Co-founder and Executive Director of Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability

Saleem Janjua, editor AdaptNet.