Climate Change Adaptation in Developed Nations: From Theory to Practice

Description

It is now widely accepted that adaptation will be necessary if we are to manage the risks posed by climate change. What we know about adaptation, however, is limited. While there is a well established body of scholarship proposing assessment approaches and explaining concepts, few studies have examined if and how adaptation is taking place at a national or regional level. This deficit in understanding is particularly pronounced in developed nations which have typically been assumed to have a low vulnerability to climate change. Yet as recent research highlights, this assumption is misplaced: developed nations are experiencing the most pronounced changes in climatic conditions globally and have significant pockets of vulnerability. Chapters in this book profilecases from different sectors in developed nations where specific adaptation measures have been identified, implemented, and evaluated. The contributions provide practical advice and guidance that can help guide adaptation planning in multiple contexts, identifying transferable lessons. It is a comprehensive and timely piece of work on an emerging body of literature that is critical for both academics and policy makers to be aware of and learn from in regards to the importance of adaptation and adaptation needs associated with climate change and variability. It is a strong step forward in bringing together this literature and thinking in one collective piece of writing. Chris Furgal, Trent University, Canada Lead Author IPCC 4th Assessment Report This volume is ambitious in scope and distinctive in focus. It is not about climate change science or mitigation or impacts... but focuses clearly on the processes of adaptation. This volume represents a valuable compilation of ideas, methods and applications dealing with adaptation to climate change in developed nations. Barry Smit, University of Guelph, Canada Canada Research Chair in Global Environmental Change This book provides key insights from leading scholars who are addressing an important but neglected question: How easy is it to adapt to climate change in practice? Focusing on evidence from developed countries, the contributions provide reasons for both optimism and concern, and lessons that are critical for anyone interested in climate change policy and a sustainable future. Karen O’Brien, University of Oslo, Norway Chair of Global Environmental Change and Human Security Front Matter....Pages i-xx Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Introduction....Pages 3-20 Climate Change Adaptation as a Social Process....Pages 21-32 Entering the Period of Consequences: The Explosive US Awakening to the Need for Adaptation....Pages 33-49 Perspectives on Adaptation to Climate Change in Europe....Pages 51-68 The Australian Experience....Pages 69-84 Leading the UK Adaptation Agenda: A Landscape of Stakeholders and Networked Organizations for Adaptation to Climate Change....Pages 85-102 Adaptation to Climate Change in Canada: A Multi-level Mosaic....Pages 103-117 Front Matter....Pages 119-119 Overview: Adaptive Management for the Health Risks of Climate Change....Pages 121-131 Behavioral Health and Risk Perception: Factors in Strengthening Community Resiliency and Emergency Preparedness....Pages 133-142 Lateral Public Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Adaptation in Urban Environments....Pages 143-159 Public Health in Canada and Adaptation to Infectious Disease Risks of Climate Change: Are We Planning or Just Keeping Our Fingers Crossed?....Pages 161-175 Climate Change, Water-Related Health Impacts, and Adaptation: Highlights from the Swedish Government’s Commission on Climate and Vulnerability....Pages 177-188 Adaptation to the Heat-Related Health Impact of Climate Change in Japan....Pages 189-203 Risk Perception, Health Communication, and Adaptation to the Health Impacts of Climate Change in Canada....Pages 205-219 Front Matter....Pages 221-221 Overview: Climate Change Adaptation in Industry....Pages 223-230 Impacts of and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Electricity Sector in Germany and France....Pages 231-241 The Role of Codes, Standards, and Related Instruments in Facilitating Adaptation to Climate Change....Pages 243-254 Learning Adaptation: Climate-Related Risk Management in the Insurance Industry....Pages 255-265 Adaptive Capacity of Forest Management Systems on Publicly Owned Forest Landscapes in Canada....Pages 267-278 Front Matter....Pages 279-279 Overview: Climate Change Adaptation in the Urban Environment....Pages 281-288 Front Matter....Pages 279-279 Integrated Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Urban Settlements: Lessons from Five Australian Cases....Pages 289-302 The Role of Local Government in Adapting to Climate Change: Lessons from New Zealand....Pages 303-319 Perceptions of Risk and Limits to Climate Change Adaptation: Case Studies of Two Swedish Urban Regions....Pages 321-334 Asking the Climate Question: Climate Change Adaptation in King County, Washington....Pages 335-344 Front Matter....Pages 345-345 Overview: Climate Change Adaptation in the Agricultural Sector....Pages 347-357 Climate Change and Adaptation of Wheat Producing Nations: Selected Case Studies from Canada and Australia....Pages 359-369 Use of Modern Portfolio Theory to Evaluate Diversification of Agricultural Land Use as an Adaptation to Climate Risks in the Tisza River Basin....Pages 371-383 Government Action to Promote Sustainable Adaptation by the Agriculture and Land Management Sector in England....Pages 385-398 Front Matter....Pages 399-399 Overview: Climate Change Adaptation in Rural and Resource-Dependent Communities....Pages 401-412 Scenarios for Engaging a Rural Australian Community in Climate Change Adaptation Work....Pages 413-422 Coordinating Environmental Protection and Climate Change Adaptation Policy in Resource-Dependent Communities: A Case Study from the Tibetan Plateau....Pages 423-438 Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation in Drinking Water Source Protection in Ontario: Challenges and Opportunities....Pages 439-448 Opportunities and Barriers for Adaptation and Local Adaptation Planning in Canadian Rural and Resource-Based Communities....Pages 449-459 Anticipatory Adaptation in Marginalized Communities Within Developed Countries....Pages 461-473 Front Matter....Pages 475-475 Adaptation to Climate Change: Context, Status, and Prospects....Pages 477-483 Back Matter....Pages 485-490