Climate Global Change and Local Adaptation [Hardcover]

Rising sea levels and altered weather patterns are expected to significantly alter coastal and inland environments for humans, infrastructure and ecosystems. Potential land-use changes and population increases, coupled with uncertain predictions for sea level rise and storm frequency/intensity represent a significant planning challenge. While efforts to mitigate climate change continue, plans must be made to adapt to the risks that climate change poses to humans, infrastructure, and ecosystems alike. This book addresses integrated environmental assessment and management as part of the nexus of climate change adaptation. Risk analysis has emerged as a useful approach to guide assessment, communication and management of security risks. However, with respect to climate change, an integrated, multi-criteria, multi-hazard, risk-informed decision framework is desirable for evaluating adaptation strategies. The papers in Part 1 summarize societal and political needs for climate change adaptation. Part 2 includes papers summarizing the state of the art in climate change adaptation. Three further parts cover: the process of change in coastal regions, in inland regions, and, finally, the potential challenges to homeland security for national governments. Each of these parts reviews achievements, identifies gaps in current knowledge, and suggests research priorities.1. Climate Change Challenges. Climate Change and New Security Challenges; O.R.Grimsson.- Climate Adaptation; L. Scarlett.- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Collaborative Approach to 21st Century Challenges Posed by Global Change; S.L. Stockton, K.D. White.- 2. Climate Change Adaptation as a Risk-Based Decision Problem. Model Relevance; S.Muller et al.- Multiple Dimensions of Vulnerability and Its Influence on Adaptation Planning and Decision Making; L.D.Mortsch.- Adaptation as a Decision Making Under Deep Uncertainty; N. Ranger.- What Social Science and Risk Analysis Can Teach Us about Local Adaptation; S.M. Kane.- Ril£p