The Importance Of Climate Change Adaptation
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12.11.07
Last month we wrote about the importance of shifting the agricultural paradigm in developing nations: that "green revolution " of the 1950's and 60's is history - count it gone with the Beats.
Green Revolution II - based on a strategy of resilience rather than growth - means a circumspect look at how to adapt to climate extremes and less focus on ways to increase yields. Why change the focus? Unlike during the post-WWII era, extreme weather and energy prices are becoming more deterministic factors in agriculture.
Climate adaptation will require a great many paradigm shifts beyond just agriculture just to hold the line on economic progress and public health. World Resources Institute is among the first to tackle this subject in an organized manner.
A new report entitled Weathering the Storm: Options for Framing Adaptation and Development, released today by the World Resources Institute, reviews ways that adapting to climate change intersects with economic development.The report analyzes 135 projects, policies, and other initiatives from the developing world that may help communities and nations adjust to the changing climate. A companion database makes the case studies publicly available online. The release is timed as part of “Development and Climate Days” here during the annual U.N. climate negotiations.
Here's one case-study abstract from the 135 included:
6. LIVELIHOOD ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE IN DROUGHT-PRONE AREAS: DEVELOPING INSTITUTIONS AND OPTIONS, BANGLADESH (FAO AND THE ASIAN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS CENTRE (ADPC)):
The project, implemented under the Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Programme and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), specifically looks at: characterization of livelihood systems; profiling of vulnerable groups; assessment of past and current climate impacts; and understanding of local perceptions of climate impacts, local coping capacities, and existing adaptation strategies. It also is developing a good practice adaptation option menu, evaluating and field testing locally selected options, and introducing long-lead climate forecasting, capacity building and training of DAE extension staff and community representatives. The options in the menu include: (1) improving crop security through agronomical management; (2) improving irrigation efficiency; (3) rainwater harvesting; (4) crop diversification and intensification; (5) promotion of alternative entreprise; and (6) improving access to credit. The next step was working with farmers to test various options, followed by a sound economic and marketing analysis of the successfully tested options. Dissemination and extension strategies being considered include: demonstrations, orientation meetings, field days, farmer field schools, and community rallies.
The more I see like this, the happier I am that I recently read Cradle to Cradle. The two men that wrote it seem to have the solution to all of our environmental and business woes.
In a Cradle to Cradle society, we would not only fight climate change, but be adapted to handle it very well.
The more I see like this, the happier I am that I recently read Cradle to Cradle. The two men that wrote it seem to have the solution to all of our environmental and business woes.
In a Cradle to Cradle society, we would not only fight climate change, but be adapted to handle it very well.
Its amazing how hard everyone tries to paint this awful picture. No one is going to change their habits out of fear. The main reason someone wants a Prius is not because its so good for the world but because it achieves such high gas mileage and reduces their monthly household cost.
The UN which has been lifeless for the last 60 years has finally got an issue they think can give them the power to extract money from trom the US and other rich nations. They would love to hand out our money to poor nations of their choice. Nothing like money going to countries that might hate us just because the UN says. I do not want that at all. The UN will never quit trying to find something to acquire money because it is money that makes most things noticable.
Global warming will go away in time just as Global cooling did. No credible scientist, that does not have a financial interest in the whole global warming scheme, will stand up against a scientist that uses facts and not theory to debate. The recent debates in London showed how the stories just do not hold up to good science.
Their were glaciers across most of North America at one time, well before the industrialized age, and they are gone. Glaciers come and go so it does not worry me at all that glaciers may be melting in Greenland because its brutally cold in Argentina and they are experiencing more ice there right now than they want to ever see.
When innovation leads to reduced costs is when you will see major change. Until solar panels can be purchased and installed to "reduce" the cost of electricity you will not get mainstream America behind it. Why not look for ways to reduce costs on these products and everyone will be happy and the global warming country club can claim some sort of shallow victory like they do whenever they see hybrid car sales go up.
I am just in AWE of the photograph in this post.