Conclusion: The Development of Adaptive Capacity and Adaptation Measures in European Countries

China’s marine fisheries are undergoing large-scale environmental changes associated with climate change, marine pollution, and overfishing. The assessment of marine fisheries vulnerability has become extremely necessary for fisheries management and sustainable development. However, studies on China’s marine fisheries vulnerability remains sparse. This study aimed to provide an analysis of the inter-provincial level vulnerability of China’s marine fisheries under multiple disturbances. The vulnerability measure was composed of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indicators specific to marine fisheries based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) definitions. Results showed that Liaoning, Hebei, Fujian, and Hainan provinces appeared to be the most vulnerable; Shanghai appeared to be less vulnerable among China’s 11 coastal provinces; and the key sources of vulnerability differed considerably among coastal regions. The high vulnerability regions could be divided into two different patterns according to the combination of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, but they all had one thing in common: relatively low adaptive capacity. While some existing coercive measures to reduce dependence on fisheries were found to be helpful in China, the reality showed that appropriate adaptation measures such as improving fishermen’s education level and increasing vocational training may be helpful in enhancing the existing policy effectiveness.

Download Full-text

Methodology of an Analysis of Snow Disaster Risk for Establishing Climate Change Adaptation Measures

Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation ◽

10.9798/kosham.2020.20.1.351 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 351-364

Author(s):

Yu Insang

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Standard Deviation ◽

High Risk ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Spatial Information ◽

Average Risk ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Very High

This study applies the concept of risk defined by IPCC’s fifth assessment report to Daegu City, Ulsan City, Gyeongsangbuk Province, and Gangwon Province to assess and analyze snow disaster risks. Sub-indicators of three hazards, six exposures, four vulnerabilities, and five adaptive capacities were selected, and spatial information based on grids or administrative districts was constructed. The weight of each indicator was calculated with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the maximum inconsistency of the expert survey result was 9.86%, indicating high consistency. The results show that administrative districts with an space average risk of “very high” are Ulleung, Gangneung, Sokcho, Yangyang, Pyeongchang, Goseong, Donghae, Samcheok, and Jeongseon, accounting for 16.7% of the entire administrative district. One region has a “high” risk, Taebaek (1.9%), and those with a “moderately high” risk were Uljin and Inje (3.8%). These regions have very high levels of hazards, very low exposure, very high vulnerability, and low adaptive capacity; hence, hazard, vulnerability, and adaptive capacity had a significant effect on the increased risk. Pyeongchang had the highest standard deviation of gridded risk among the 12 regions with a risk above moderately high. The standard deviation of gridded risk for Pyeongchang was estimated to be 1.0 with the highest value, followed by Inje, with 0.69, and Jeongseon, with 0.55; therefore, differentiated climate change adaptation measures should be established according to gridded risks.

Download Full-text

PLAN OR REACT? ANALYSIS OF ADAPTATION COSTS AND BENEFITS USING INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT MODELS

Climate Change Economics ◽

10.1142/s2010007811000267 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 02 (03) ◽

pp. 175-208 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

SHARDUL AGRAWALA ◽

FRANCESCO BOSELLO ◽

CARLO CARRARO ◽

KELLY DE BRUIN ◽

ENRICA DE CIAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Integrated Assessment ◽

Model Comparison ◽

Integrated Model ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Integrated Assessment Models ◽

Global Dynamic ◽

Policy Variable ◽

Induced Technical Change ◽

Adaptation Costs

This report examines adaptation and mitigation within an integrated framework. Global and regional costs of adaptation are assessed dynamically and the resulting benefits are quantified. This is accomplished by developing a framework to incorporate adaptation as a policy variable within three Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs); the global Dynamic Integrated model of Climate and the Economy (DICE), the Regional Integrated model of Climate and the Economy (RICE), and the World Induced Technical Change Hybrid (WITCH) model. The framework developed here takes into account investments in reactive adaptation and in adaptation "stocks", as well as investments in building adaptive capacity. This report presents the first inter-model comparison of results on adaptation costs using the emerging category of adaptation-IAMs. Results show that least-cost policy response to climate change will need to involve subsantial amounts of mitigation efforts, investments in adaptation stock, reactive adaptation measures and adaptive capacity to limit the remaining damages.

Download Full-text

How Vulnerable Are American States to Wildfires? A Livelihood Vulnerability Assessment

Fire ◽

10.3390/fire4030054 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 54

Author(s):

Janine A. Baijnath-Rodino ◽

Mukesh Kumar ◽

Margarita Rivera ◽

Khoa D. Tran ◽

Tirtha Banerjee

Keyword(s):

New Mexico ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Principal Component ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

The United States ◽

Contributing Factors ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Indicator Variable ◽

American States ◽

Indicator Variables

Quantifying livelihood vulnerability to wildland fires in the United States is challenging because of the need to systematically integrate multidimensional variables into its analysis. We aim to measure wildfire threats amongst humans and their physical and social environment by developing a framework to calculate the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) for the top 14 American states most recently exposed to wildfires. The LVI is computed by assessing each state’s contributing factors (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity) to wildfire events. These contributing factors are determined through a set of indicator variables that are categorized into corresponding groups to produce an LVI framework. The framework is validated by performing a principal component analysis (PCA), ensuring that each selected indicator variable corresponds to the correct contributing factor. Our results indicate that Arizona and New Mexico experience the greatest livelihood vulnerability. In contrast, California, Florida, and Texas experience the least livelihood vulnerability. While California has one of the highest exposures and sensitivity to wildfires, results indicate that it has a relatively high adaptive capacity, in comparison to the other states, suggesting it has measures in place to withstand these vulnerabilities. These results are critical to wildfire managers, government, policymakers, and research scientists for identifying and providing better resiliency and adaptation measures to support states that are most vulnerable to wildfires.

Download Full-text

Integrating Teaching and Learning with Inter-Disciplinary Action Research in Support of Climate Resilient Urban Development

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11236701 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (23) ◽

pp. 6701 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Darryn McEvoy ◽

Usha Iyer-Raniga ◽

Serene Ho ◽

David Mitchell ◽

Veeriah Jegatheesan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Action Research ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Teaching And Learning ◽

Solomon Islands ◽

Informal Settlements ◽

Disciplinary Action ◽

Collaborative Partnerships ◽

Urban Resilience ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Municipal Governments

The capital cities of the South Pacific are experiencing rapid urbanisation pressures as increasing numbers of people migrate to the primary cities either in search of employment and greater access to healthcare and education, or as a consequence of environmental ‘push’ factors. However, the limited capacity of municipal Governments to respond to the scale and pace of change is leading to a growth of informal settlements in peri-urban locations. Factors of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity combine to make these informal settlements the most vulnerable areas to natural hazards. In response to this critical urban resilience agenda, this paper looks at how participatory action research is providing inter-disciplinary scientific support for the implementation of urban resilience and climate actions in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Adaptation measures involve a combination of hard and soft actions; as well as activities designed to strengthen local capacity to respond to contemporary resilience challenges. Addressing the adaptive capacity component, this paper also highlights the opportunities for Australian universities to integrate teaching and learning with action research to achieve a substantive real-world impact in the Pacific region, as well as illustrating the capacity strengthening benefits that can be achieved through sustained engagement and collaborative partnerships with local organisations.

Download Full-text

Factor Path of Constraints to Adaptive Capacity on Climate Change among IFAD-VCDP Farmers in North Central Nigeria

International Journal of Environment and Climate Change ◽

10.9734/ijecc/2020/v10i230178 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 13-33

Author(s):

H. Sallawu ◽

J. N. Nmadu ◽

A. A. A. Coker ◽

U. S. Mohammed

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Value Chain ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Principal Component ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Climate Information ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

North Central ◽

Farm Inputs

Aim: Adaptive capacity is the ability of the farmer to adjust his farm plans and programmes in the face of emerging risks, constraints and currently available information. In this study, the various constraints faced by International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme’s farmers (IFAD-VCDP) in North Central Nigeria in adapting to climate change challenges were investigated. Study Design: A multi-stage sampling technique was employed in the selection of respondents. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Benue and Niger States of Nigeria in 2018. Methodology: Data were collected from a total of 483 respondents using interview schedule and questionnaire. The data were analysed using exploratory (principal component analysis) and confirmatory (structural equation modelling) factor analysis. Results: The results of the analysis revealed the significant constraints the farmers faced in order to improve their adaptive capacity to climate change which were institutional and technical (49.45%) and climate information (26.62%) constraints, although the factors differ slightly within the two states under study. In Benue State, institutional (31.26%), personal (14.63%), land and farm inputs (12.54%) and population (11.73%) while in Niger State, public and institutional (22.34%), land and farm inputs (14.78%), and personal (10.75) were the constraints to adaptive capacity. Conclusion: These constraints make it harder to plan and implement adaptation actions by restricting the variety and effectiveness of options available to the farmers to improve their productivity and cope with the vagaries of climate change. It was therefore recommended that government and NGOs should intensify efforts on public, institutional, educational and climate policies, assist in increasing the adaptive capacity of the farmers in order to employ more adaptation measures, land governance systems should be strengthened in Nigeria to provide tenure security for all, financial institutions should help facilitate access to credit by farmers and assist in making reliable climate information accessible to all farmers.

Download Full-text

Assessing institutional capacities to adapt to climate change: integrating psychological dimensions in the Adaptive Capacity Wheel

Natural Hazards and Earth System Science ◽

10.5194/nhess-13-3369-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 3369-3384 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

T. Grothmann ◽

K. Grecksch ◽

M. Winges ◽

B. Siebenhüner

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Social Factors ◽

Climate Adaptation ◽

Technological Development ◽

Two Dimensions ◽

Added Value ◽

Coastal Protection ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Systematic Assessment

Abstract. Several case studies show that social factors like institutions, perceptions and social capital strongly affect social capacities to adapt to climate change. Together with economic and technological development they are important for building social capacities. However, there are almost no methodologies for the systematic assessment of social factors. After reviewing existing methodologies we identify the Adaptive Capacity Wheel (ACW) by Gupta et al. (2010), developed for assessing the adaptive capacity of institutions, as the most comprehensive and operationalised framework to assess social factors. The ACW differentiates 22 criteria to assess 6 dimensions: variety, learning capacity, room for autonomous change, leadership, availability of resources, fair governance. To include important psychological factors we extended the ACW by two dimensions: "adaptation motivation" refers to actors' motivation to realise, support and/or promote adaptation to climate; "adaptation belief" refers to actors' perceptions of realisability and effectiveness of adaptation measures. We applied the extended ACW to assess adaptive capacities of four sectors – water management, flood/coastal protection, civil protection and regional planning – in northwestern Germany. The assessments of adaptation motivation and belief provided a clear added value. The results also revealed some methodological problems in applying the ACW (e.g. overlap of dimensions), for which we propose methodological solutions.

Download Full-text

Small-Scale Farmers Associations’ adaptive capacity to climate change in Swaziland sugarcane industry

Jàmbá Journal of Disaster Risk Studies ◽

10.4102/jamba.v11i2.697 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bon’sile F.N. Mhlanga-Ndlovu ◽

Godwell Nhamo

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Agricultural Development ◽

Information Dissemination ◽

Sugar Industry ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Small Scale ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Sustainable Livelihoods Framework ◽

Small Scale Farmers

This study investigated the existing adaptive capacity for climate change impacts by Small-Scale Famers Associations (SSFAs) in Swaziland’s sugar industry. The analysis of adaptive capacity considered how the livelihood assets (natural, physical, financial, human and social) as discussed in the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) help promote SSFAs’ adaptive capacity to climate change. The study took place in the Lowveld. Data were generated through a questionnaire from 45 SSFAs supervisors representing more than 2700 farmers. In addition, face-to-face interviews were undertaken with key informants, namely, Swaziland Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise, Swaziland Sugar Association, Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, and the United Nations Development Programme. The results indicate that the farmers have less adaptive capacity, and this affects the implementation of adaptation measures. The priority action towards increased adaptation includes interventions on credit, utility costs and taxes, land resources ownership and management, as well as information dissemination, especially early warning.

Download Full-text

Assessing institutional capacities to adapt to climate change – integrating psychological dimensions in the Adaptive Capacity Wheel

Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/nhessd-1-793-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 793-828 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

T. Grothmann ◽

K. Grecksch ◽

M. Winges ◽

B. Siebenhüner

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Social Factors ◽

Climate Adaptation ◽

Technological Development ◽

Two Dimensions ◽

Added Value ◽

Coastal Protection ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Systematic Assessment

Abstract. Several case studies show that "soft social factors" (e.g. institutions, perceptions, social capital) strongly affect social capacities to adapt to climate change. Many soft social factors can probably be changed faster than "hard social factors" (e.g. economic and technological development) and are therefore particularly important for building social capacities. However, there are almost no methodologies for the systematic assessment of soft social factors. Gupta et al. (2010) have developed the Adaptive Capacity Wheel (ACW) for assessing the adaptive capacity of institutions. The ACW differentiates 22 criteria to assess six dimensions: variety, learning capacity, room for autonomous change, leadership, availability of resources, fair governance. To include important psychological factors we extended the ACW by two dimensions: "adaptation motivation" refers to actors' motivation to realise, support and/or promote adaptation to climate. "Adaptation belief" refers to actors' perceptions of realisability and effectiveness of adaptation measures. We applied the extended ACW to assess adaptive capacities of four sectors – water management, flood/coastal protection, civil protection and regional planning – in North Western Germany. The assessments of adaptation motivation and belief provided a clear added value. The results also revealed some methodological problems in applying the ACW (e.g. overlap of dimensions), for which we propose methodological solutions.

Download Full-text

Interesting breeding cases of the Raven (Corvus corax) in Hungary

Ornis Hungarica ◽

10.1515/orhu-2017-0003 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 39-43

Author(s):

János Bagyura ◽

József Fidlóczky ◽

Vince Schwartz ◽

László Tóth

Keyword(s):

Transmission Line ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Breeding Population ◽

European Countries ◽

Breeding Pair ◽

Breeding Period ◽

Corvus Corax ◽

Overhead Transmission Line ◽

Agricultural Areas

Abstract Due to conservation measures, the breeding population of the Raven significantly strengthened over the last decades in Hungary, also nesting on the lowlands. Nowadays, observing large flocks is not rare. Compared to other European countries, the urbanization of the species began relatively late in Hungary, in the ‘90s, first breeding in the urban areas of Baranya County. There were another five similar known cases after the millennium across the country. Because of the advanced adaptive capacity of species, this number is likely to grow in the future. In Hungary, the brood is typically complete in the second half of February and the young birds fledge in the first days of May. There are two known cases after the millennium when the Ravens bred in a significantly different time than usual. In these cases, the young birds fledged on 20 January and the second half of February. In both cases, the nests were found on overhead transmission line poles in lowland agricultural areas. It is uncertain what led to the unusual breeding time, but it is most likely that the breeding pair was accustomed, having successfully raised several brood before, and they could rely on the abundant food base near the nests during the breeding period.

Download Full-text