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GCOS, 168. Summary Report of the Fifteenth Session of the GCOS/WCRP Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate (TOPCXV)
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); International Council for Science (ICSU); et al. - WMO, 2013The Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate (TOPC) was established to develop a balanced and integrated system of insitu and satellite observations of the terrestrial ecosystem. The Observation Panel focuses on the identification of terrestrial observation requirements, assisting the establishment of observing networks for climate, providing guidance on observation standards and norms, facilitating access to climate data and information and its assimilation, and promoting climate studies and assessments. The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), and the World C ...
Strategy Towards an Architecture for Climate Monitoring from Space
This report focuses on satellite observations for climate monitoring from space, and the need for an international architecture that ensures delivery of these observations over the time frames required for analysis of the Earth’s climate system. The report outlines a strategy for such an architecture – a strategy that is intentionally high-level, conceptual and inclusive, so that a broad consensus can be reached, and all relevant entities can identify their po¬tential contributions. The strategy, however, is not suffi¬cient, in and of itself, and therefore also presents a logical architecture ...
A spatial vulnerability analysis of urban populations during extreme heat events in Australian capital cities
Monash University, 2013This study aims to provide an analysis of the spatial distribution of vulnerability of urban populations to extreme heat events in Australian capital cities at the present time, and to estimate future vulnerability in relation to projected climate changes.It provides a ‘tool’ to guide short-term, medium-term and longer-term heatwave adaptation policy.
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The role of conservation programs in drought risk adaptation
This report evaluates the extent to which farms facing higher levels of drought risk are more likely to participate in conservation programs, and finds a strong link between drought risk and program participation. It examines drought risk adaptation, defined as the choices that farmers make in response to drought risk exposure, and addresses the policy uncertainty by examining the role of drought risk within agricultural conservation programs and considering potential changes in conservation program design, such as adjustments in contract ranking criteria or changes in eligibility requirements ...
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Reflections on 20 years of land-related development projects in Central America: 10 things you might not expect, and future directions
Drawing upon several sources of information and types of analysis, including literature reviews, field visits and rapid participatory assessments, this paper provides a critical assessment of land-related development policies and projects over the past two decades in Central America. Reflections on past land-related development policies and projects in Central America are based on their contributions to growth and poverty reduction. The paper calls for future projects to better integrate poverty reduction and development goals, natural resource management, disaster risk management and climate ...
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Zero carbon Britain: rethinking the future
This report explores how Britain can achieve Carbon neutrality. Building upon the groundwork laid by the Zero Carbon Britain project over the last six years, the authors incorporate the latest developments in science and technology, plus more detailed research in two main areas: balancing highly variable energy supply and demand; and the nutritional implications of a low carbon diet. The report highlights the need for further research on adaptation, economic transition and policy that would achieve sufficient greenhouse gas emissions reductions quickly and equitably. From a broader viewpoint, ...
Rethinking disaster risk management and climate change adaptation
Howes Michael; National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) - Griffith University, 2013This report investigates impacts of climate change, population growth, and urban coastal development on Australian environment, economy, and society, particularly in relation to bushfire and flood. The report aims to develop the foundations for a nationally consistent approach to disaster risk management and climate change adaptation that would be supported by a set of appropriate reforms to governing institutions and tools.
This is the final report of a research project entitled "The Right Tool for the Job: Achieving climate change adaptation outcomes through improved disaster ...
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What will adaptation cost? an economic framework for coastal community infrastructure
This document is developed to guide decision makers in coastal zones through the process of choosing the most economically efficient climate change adaptation plan appropriate for their community. The document is composed of four chapters: (i) chapter one outlines three tasks related to developing scenarios of coastal hazards in order to assess the baseline risk; (ii) chapter two instructs the decision maker to assess options for adaptation; (iii) chapter three instructs the decision maker to identify and monetize impacts and estimate the costs of alternative adaptation strategies; (iv) and ch ...
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Uganda climate change vulnerability assessment report
This assessment was conducted in 2012. Field research focused on Gulu, Lira, Luweero, Mbale, Isingiro, and Kasese, USAID/Feed the Future priority districts that include important cropping systems, represent different agro-ecological zones, and are near weather stations that have collected consistent rainfall and temperature data for a long period of time.
The research and analysis show how current climate patterns shape – and how future climate patterns may influence – key crop value chains and the livelihoods of households that depend on them.
Forecasters' Overview of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea
This module provides an introduction to the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea for weather forecasters. It focuses on major aspects of the geography, oceanography, and climatology. Geography covers major political boundaries, cities, ports, topographical features, rivers, and volcanic areas. Oceanography includes major bathymetric features, mean sea surface temperature and surface salinity, ocean currents, and tidal ranges. Climatology covers the seasonal climatology of jet streams and synoptic weather systems, extratropical cyclones in the Gulf of Mexico, and monthly and seasonal statistics of ...
Climatology for the Operational Forecaster
Climate information can be used as guidance for a range of weather-dependent operations. This module summarizes the Climate Analysis Process, a series of steps for determining which climatological products and data will be most useful for a specified application. The Climate Analysis Process is followed in the context of preparing a climatological brief for a ship deployment across multiple ocean basins. Though the focus is on Department of Defense data sources, including the Advanced Climate Analysis and Forecasting (ACAF) system, information on other sources is also provided. Products from t ...
GOES-R ABI: Next Generation Satellite Imaging
This extension of the COMET lesson “GOES-R: Benefits of Next Generation Environmental Monitoring” focuses on the ABI instrument, the satellite's 16-channel imager. With increased spectral coverage, greater spatial resolution, more frequent imaging, and improved image pixel geolocation and radiometric performance, the ABI will bring significant advancements to forecasting, numerical weather prediction, and climate and environmental monitoring. The first part of the lesson introduces the ABI's key features and improvements over earlier GOES imagers. The second section lets users interactively ex ...
Regional Study Guide: Review for Aeronautical Forecasters in Africa, selections from Introduction to Tropical Meteorology, 2nd edition
This Regional Study Guide highlights the sections of the Introduction to Tropical Meteorology, 2nd Edition online textbook that are applicable to aeronautical forecasting operations in Africa. Topics include remote sensing, global circulations, tropical variability, tropical cyclones and the challenges encountered when forecasting tropical weather. The guide consists of a list of links to the content in the textbook and has its own stand-alone quiz.
Finnish National Report on Systematic Observations for Climate : National Activities with Respect to the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Implementation Plan
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) ; United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) - 2013Finland continues its efforts in carrying out, archiving and distributing the most reliable and sustainable systematic observations related to various climate variables. These atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial observations are based on the regulations of corresponding international organizations. The implementation of systematic observations in Finland is tabulated in this report, which was made in accordance with the revised United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Reporting Guidelines on Global Climate Change Observing Systems (2007). Since the foundation of the Global Climat ...
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Before disaster strikes: transformations in practice and policy
This series of regional best practice reports presenting best practices in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation based on the discussions and recommendations of more than 120 experts from around the world involved in the CATALYST Project: Capacity Development for Hazard Risk Reduction and Adaptation". The papers present the best actions needed to build capacity in DRR and adaptation, and to improve early planning of regional strategies against natural hazards.
To avoid the one-size-fits-all approach to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, ...
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Supporting the vulnerable : Increasing adaptive capacities of agropastoralists to climate change in West and southern Africa using a transdisciplinary research approach
This publication seeks to identify promoted policy entry points to support the implementation of priority adaptation strategies, and identifies policy mechanisms as appropriate interventions to allow agropastoralists to buffer the effects of climate variability and change. The purpose of this project is to co-generate methods, information and solutions between local communities, local and international scientists, policymakers and other actors involved in climate change and adaptation programs, for coping mechanisms and adapting strategies to climate change and variability in West and Southern ...
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Fact sheet. Project: Promotion and Intensification of Fruit Trees in Agricultural Farm Lands for Mitigation and Adaption to Climate Change
The main objective of this strategic intervention is to reduce the impacts of climate change and land degradation on rural farm lands by intensifying the production of fruit trees. This will generate income and help farmers adapt to climate change.
Most farmland areas are devoid of plantations and natural vegetation forests making them susceptible to the impacts of climate change. These areas could experience more soil erosion because of the reduced rainfall and the increase in temperature. The introduction of fruit trees on the farmland or near the households could create a greener env ...
A summary of current climate change findings and figures : a WMO information note
This WMO information note is the first in a series that will aim to make the science underlying the weather, climate and water issues addressed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) more easily accessible to the general public. The science of climate change continues to advance through the accumulation of additional data and observations and new studies and analyses. The peer-reviewed scientific literature that draws on these data and studies are assessed by the WMO/UNEP Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which will issue "The Physical Science Basis" volume of its Fifth ...
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CDP cities 2013: summary report on 110 global cities
2013This report present CDP, C40 and AECOM latest results from the third consecutive year of climate change reporting for cities. The data presented in the report conveys information about every aspect of climate change measurement and management in cities, including risks such as temperature increase/heatwaves, frequent/intense rainfall, drought, storms/flooding and sea level rise, and adaptation. It is intended to provide city governments with information and insights in order to assist their work in tackling the challenge of climate change.
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Climate change adaptation and risk management: reflections and implications
Lavell Allan; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) ; Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO) ; et al. - Germany - Government, 2013This paper is the first of a series of technical notes arising from the Public Investment and Climate Change Adaptation Project (IPACC) project and whose principle goal is to facilitate an understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation relevant to the public and private sector. It aims to further advance a discussion of the issues that could be used to adapt, update or expand on the conceptual framework of disaster risk management in the light of climate change and adaptation.
The paper comprises four chapters th ...
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Implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action and the Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005-2015: report for the period 2009-2013
Applied Geoscience and Technology Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC/SOPAC), 2013This report provides a review and analysis of progress since 2009 towards disaster risk reduction and disaster management in the Pacific region. Successes and ongoing challenges are measured against the global Hyogo Framework for Action’s (HFA’s) priorities for action and indicators and the Pacific’s Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action’s (RFA’s) themes and key activities. Given the strong synergies between disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA), progress includes capturing relevant climate change (CC) related programs, initia ...
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The geography of poverty, disasters and climate extremes in 2030
The Met.Office, 2013This report examines the relationship between disasters and poverty. It concludes that, without concerted action, there could be up to 325 million extremely poor people living in the 49 countries most exposed to the full range of natural hazards and climate extremes in 2030. It maps out where the poorest people are likely to live and develops a range of scenarios to identify potential patterns of vulnerability to extreme weather and earthquakes – who is going to be vulnerable and why. These scenarios are dynamic: they consider how the threats may change, which countries face the greatest risk ...
Research priorities on vulnerability, impacts and adaptation responding to the climate change challenge
UNEP, 2013This set of research priorities was developed by the Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation (PROVIA) in consultation with both experts and policymakers to respond to the demand for better coordination of research. The research priorities include new and emerging topics, the importance of which is now coming into focus, and topics that have long been recognized as important but for which research is still required. They reflect the balance between research supply from experts and research demand from policymakers.
The focus of the research ...
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The geography of poverty, disasters and climate extremes in 2030
ODI, 2013This report examines the relationship between disasters and poverty. It concludes that, without concerted action, there could be up to 325 million extremely poor people living in the 49 countries most exposed to the full range of natural hazards and climate extremes in 2030. It maps out where the poorest people are likely to live and develops a range of scenarios to identify potential patterns of vulnerability to extreme weather and earthquakes – who is going to be vulnerable and why. These scenarios are dynamic: they consider how the threats may change, which countries face the greatest risk ...
Social and Governance Dimensions of Climate Change: Implications for Policy
Foa R. - World Bank, 2013How can countries prepare to manage the impact of climate-change induced natural disasters? How can countries ensure that they have the governmental institutions required to manage the challenge of adaptation to climate change? In this paper, a range of economic and institutional measures are tested for their potential effects on natural disaster resilience and the quality of environmental governance. The findings suggest an important role is played by social and political institutions in determining the success of adaptation and response to natural disasters, in particular in the degree to wh ...
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Mitigation action implementation: Understanding variables that affect policy implementation
This paper considers whether the implementation of mitigation action (MA) policy in developing countries would be subject to similar impediments as other (non-mitigation related) public policy interventions. It focuses on case studies from Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru. Variables identified as having the potential to pose risks to the implementation of MAs include finance, technical capacity, vested interests, and social acceptance of the policies. This paper proposes that MAs are more likely to be implemented if the possible impediments or risks to implementation are considered earlier in ...
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Using climate information to support adaptation planning and policy-making: A practical case study in Bagamoyo District, coastal Tanzania
This case study is designed to provide a practical example of how to use climate information to support adaptation planning and policy-making. The paper focuses on the Bagamoyo district in coastal Tanzania. Local livelihoods are mostly based on natural resources, including small-scale agriculture, seaweed farming, traditional fishing and small-scale eco-tourism. People living on the coast report that climate variability and climate change are affecting their lives due to factors such as unreliable timing and intensity of rainfall, major flooding and sea-level rise. These impacts have increased ...
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How can the Green Climate Fund initiate a paradigm shift?
The objective of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) is to achieve a paradigm shift towards low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways. The brief asserts that ambition is required in the design of funded activities and in the provision of financial resources to the Fund. The authors explain that a paradigm shift might imply moving to more programmatic approaches and that strong country ownership is essential as it will ensure that new ways of working endure in the long term. They argue that the GCF needs to provide clear incentives and guidance for ambitious proposals by governments and su ...
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Capitalising on public transport: reducing GHG emissions in Latin American cities
Green Short Baptista V. - ELLA, 2013The transport sector is one of the largest contributors to global GHG emissions, both worldwide and in the Latin America region. In response, some cities in Latin America are taking steps to revamp their transport sectors as part of a strategy to mitigate GHG emissions. This Brief begins by discussing the environmental impacts of the transport sector before turning to three key Latin American transportation innovations: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems; bicycle lanes; and electric taxis. While stronger monitoring systems are still necessary, initial results do point to important mitigation effe ...
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Agriculture and adaptation in Bangladesh: Current and projected impacts of climate change
The goal of this research was to examine the likely impacts of climate change on agriculture in Bangladesh, and develop recommendations to policymakers to help farmers adapt to the changes. A variety of research methods were used. When taken together, the results indicate that adaptation efforts in Bangladesh should include adjusting planting dates, using improved cultivars better suited for climate change, improving fertilizer application, exploring increased maize production, and bolstering flood and pest protection for farmers.
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Tackling climate change through livestock: A global assessment of emissions and mitigation opportunities
According to this report, the global livestock sector contributes a significant share to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, but it can also deliver a significant share of the necessary mitigation effort. The authors call for urgent, concerted and collective action from all sector stakeholders to ensure that existing and promising mitigation strategies are implemented. They also highlight a need to reduce the sector’s emissions and its environmental footprint, especially in view of its continuing expansion to ensure food security and feed a growing, richer and more urbanized world populati ...
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Disaster risk reduction in the Omusati and Oshana regions of Namibia: In Jàmbá - Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, Vol. 5, No. 1
Namibia often experiences heavy rains in the north and north-eastern parts of the country, which can result in severe flooding. For this reason, the country has endorsed the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) which seeks to develop the resilience of nations and communities to disasters and to assist countries to move away from the approach of emergency response to one of integrated disaster risk reduction. The aim of this article is to assess the resilience of the communities within the identified regions. A quantitative questionnaire was designed to assess people at risk of disaster related imp ...
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The Global Forecast: Earth's future in the face of environmental change: In International Innovation (October 2013)
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Integrating ecosystems in resilience practice: criteria for ecosystem-smart disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation
van Leeuwen Merijn; Rense Marianne; Jiménez Alejandro; et al. - Wetlands International Malaysia, 2013This document addresses the integration of ecosystems and natural resource management in disaster risk reduction (DRR). It introduces a set of criteria, which can be used by policy makers and practitioners to better integrate the management of ecosystems and natural resources in their DRR work. The criteria describe the required steps to develop an ‘ecosystem-smart’ approach in the design, implementation and evaluation of risk reduction programmes. They provide guidance on the required capacities, partnerships, institutional set-up and planning needs in an effort to bring together expertise fr ...
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Southern African Agriculture and Climate Change
With agriculture being the main source of both employment and income for southern Africa’s rural population, there is great concern regarding the potential impact of climate change. This study, produced by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), represents a comprehensive analysis of ways to foster agricultural development and food security to reduce such impacts. Several weather-based scenarios have been developed by the authors, describing how climate change may affect the region up to 2050. National contributors from Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swa ...
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Mapping the regional variation in potential vulnerability in Indian agriculture to climate change: An exercise through constructing vulnerability index: In African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
The anticipated changes in water availability, temperature rise, soil degradation and the suggested increase in extreme weather events are likely to greatly affect agriculture in India. This paper aims to develop the vulnerability profile of agricultural systems of the Indian states to the changing climate scenarios. It develops two sub indices: Bio-Physical vulnerability index and Socio-Economic vulnerability index to develop the final overall vulnerability index.
The contribution of agriculture to India’s GDP has been declining over recent years, but agriculture still provides employm ...
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Exploring opportunities for climate change adaptation in semi arid areas of Tanzania: A case of Nzega District in Tabora region: In African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
The University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania through the Institute of Resource Assessment (IRA) implemented a three years research program to study the implications of climate change on natural and social systems in three agro-ecolocilal zones in Tanzania. The paper presents findings obtained from one of the zones studied.
The study was conducted in two villages: Upungwe and Mbogwe located in Nzega District, Tabora region. Interviews with a sample size of 99 people – 10 per cent of the total number of households – were used. A total of 40 people were involved in focus group discussions – ...
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Climate change guidelines for forest managers
FAO, 2013In 2010, FAO prepared guidelines to support policy-makers in integrating climate change concerns into new or existing forest policies and national forest programmes. This document serves as a companion to those 2010 guidelines in order to aid sustainable forest management.
This document provides guidance on what forest managers should consider in assessing vulnerability, risk, mitigation options, and actions for adaptation, mitigation and monitoring in response to climate change.
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Cities and Climate Change: Global Report on Human Settlements 2011
This comprehensive report by UN-Habitat, the Global Report on Human Settlements, examines the issue of climate change and urban areas, two areas whose effects are converging in dangerous ways that threaten environmental, economic, and social stability. The authors argue that global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from cities could be as high as 70 per cent, although without a globally accepted method of determining the scale of emissions it is hard to be sure. This report presents extensive analysis on all aspects of the issue in depth, with data provided in the annex.
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Adapting to climate change in European forests – results of the MOTIVE project
This booklet provides an overview of major research activities and achievements of MOTIVE. It represents the state of the art in science-based information on adaptation of European forests to climate change. Topics covered include: Information on climate change projections for Europe with emphasis on implications for forest management; shifts in potential tree species ranges based on climate projections; genetic adaptation of tree species to climate change; mapping of disturbance risks to European forests with focus on wind, fire and bark beetles; decision support tools for adaptive fore ...
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Acting on climate change and disaster risk for the Pacific
World Bank, 2013This booklet reports on World Bank's support in the Pacific through investments in disaster and climate risk assessments, and on risk reduction across a range of areas through community driven development, water and coastal management, transport and agriculture. It provides a snapshot of the challenges posed by climate change and natural hazards in the Pacific, policy recommendations, and details of the World Bank Group's work across the region in helping build resilience to disasters and climate change. It is structured as follows: (i) part one presents Pacific island as the most vulnerable i ...
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Ecosystem approach to disaster risk reduction: basic concepts and recommendations to governments, with a special focus on Europe
The goal of this publication is to develop a more robust understanding of ecosystem-based approaches to disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in the European context, including the economic rationale, tools and practices, while contributing to the growing literature on this subject. It is intended to fill a science-policy gap on the role of ecosystems for DRR, specifically for Europe and the Council of Europe’s member states. It provides the rationale for a more systemic approach to reducing disaster risk, exploring how ecosystem management can be incorporated in a ...
Southern African agriculture and climate change: a comprehensive analysis
This study analyzes the range of plausible impacts of climate change by the year 2050, focusing almost entirely on crops. It builds on previous research that focused on regional and global effects of climate change. The first chapter provides a regional overview for southern Africa. Eight chapters look at the effects of climate change on eight countries in southern Africa: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is intended to provide policymakers and others concerned with climate change, agriculture, and food policy with guidance on the range o ...
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Disaster risk reduction and livelihoods
FIC, 2013This study seeks to improve the overall knowledge of the relationship between disaster risk reduction (DRR) and livelihood strategies, to improve the understanding and gaps in knowledge, practice, and policy, and to improve the impact of donor-funded DRR programs carried out by implementing agencies. The report is organized as follows: (i) a comprehensive literature review on existing DRR practices is included, identifying gaps that should be explored in future research; (ii) the Haiti case study explores financial resilience in urban settings; (iii) the Nepal case study looks at traditional D ...
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Cambodian agriculture: Adaptation to climate change impact
Cambodia is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change because of the predicted changes in temperature and precipitation, the share of labour in agriculture, and low adaptive capacity due to widespread poverty. This study uses climate data from four general circulation models (GCMs) to evaluate the impact of climate change on agriculture in Cambodia by 2050.
An evaluation of crop yields was undertaken as well as exploring potential gains from changing fertiliser levels and using irrigation to compensate for rainfall changes. A survey of 45 communes was also conducted using f ...
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Impact of climate change on ASEAN food security: downscaling analysis and response
This Issues Brief is based on the proceedings of the Expert Group Meeting on the Impact of Climate Change on ASEAN Food Security held in June 2013. This meeting called for higher priority to be given to research on climate shifts, a greater focus on agricultural research and development and also highlighted the need for resource and knowledge inputs from those involved in food value chains across Southeast Asia.
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Report of the 4th Africa regional platform on disaster risk reduction: protect development gains and build resilience of African nations
UN/ISDR, 2013This report covers the proceedings of the 4th Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (AfRP) from 13 to 15 February, 2013 in Arusha, Tanzania hosted by The African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), Regional Office for Africa. The 4th AfRP focused on the progress made at the national, sub-regional, and regional levels in the implementation of the Africa Regional Strategy for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and its Programme of Action, and the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). The theme of the 4th AfRP was ‘protecting developmen ...
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