Vulnerability and Adaptation Challenges
- Climate change is reshaping our world, creating new challenges for human and natural systems.
- There are three main factors associated with vulnerability to climate change:
- Exposure: The degree to which people (or ecosystems) are exposed to climate change.
- Sensitivity: The degree to which they could be harmed by exposure to climate change.
- Adaptive capacity: The degree to which they could mitigate the potential harm by taking action to reduce their exposure or sensitivity.
- Understanding these vulnerability factors is critical to developing effective adaptation strategies.
Health Hazards: A Growing Threat
Heat Stress
- Rising global temperatures increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, posing severe health risks.
In 2021, the Pacific Northwest experienced a record-breaking heatwave, causing hundreds of heat-related deaths.
- Vulnerable Populations:
- Elderly individuals, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly at risk.
- Urban Heat Islands:
- Cities amplify heat due to dense infrastructure and limited green spaces.
Planting trees and creating green roofs can help reduce urban heat and improve air quality.
Waterborne Diseases
- Climate change alters precipitation patterns, leading to more frequent floods and droughts.
- These conditions create ideal environments for waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery.
Flooding in Mozambique in 2019 led to a cholera outbreak, affecting thousands of people.
Malnutrition
- Changes in climate disrupt agricultural systems, reducing crop yields and food availability.
- This leads to higher food prices and increased malnutrition, especially in low-income regions.
- The UN estimates that climate change could push an additional 100 million people into poverty by 2030.
- It is also suggested that if temperatures rise by 2.5°C, 200 million more people could be exposed to hunger.
- Finally, it is suggested that if temperatures rise by 3°C, there will be a 35% drop in crop yields across Africa and the Middle East and up to 550 million people may be affected.
Migration: The Rise of Climate Refugees
- Climate change is forcing millions to leave their homes due to rising sea levels, droughts, and extreme weather events.
Rising Sea Levels
- Coastal communities are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, which causes flooding and erosion.
Kiribati: This Pacific island nation is investing in "migration with dignity" programs to prepare its citizens for relocation as sea levels rise.
Drought and Water Scarcity
- Prolonged droughts reduce water availability, leading to conflicts over resources and forcing people to migrate.
- The Syrian civil war was partly fueled by a severe drought that displaced rural farmers to urban areas, exacerbating tensions.
- Moreover, multiplicity of local conflicts between farmers and animal herders in the Sahel are associated with shrinking availability of crucial resources (water and fertile soils) impacted by the climate change.
Flooding and Extreme Weather
- Increased frequency of storms and floods displaces communities, often with little warning.
A common mistake is assuming that all climate migrants move internationally. Most displacement occurs within countries.
Economic Impacts: The Cost of Climate Change
Damage to Infrastructure
- Extreme weather events damage roads, bridges, and buildings, leading to costly repairs and disruptions.
Hurricane Katrina caused over $125 billion in damages, highlighting the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
Loss of Livelihoods
- Climate change affects industries like agriculture, fishing, and tourism, leading to job losses and economic instability.
Coral bleaching due to warmer oceans threatens tourism in regions like the Great Barrier Reef, impacting local economies.
Rising Adaptation Costs
- As climate impacts intensify, the cost of adaptation measures - such as building sea walls or upgrading infrastructure - continues to rise.
Transport Routes: Opportunities and Risks in the Arctic
- Melting Arctic ice is opening new shipping lanes, such as the Northern Sea Route (Northern Passage), which reduces travel time between Europe and Asia.
Think of the Arctic as a frozen highway. As the ice melts, the highway becomes usable, but it also exposes the fragile environment beneath.
Environmental Risks
- Increased shipping raises the risk of oil spills and pollution in a region already vulnerable to climate change.
A common mistake is overlooking the long-term environmental costs of exploiting Arctic resources for short-term economic gains.
Geopolitical Tensions
- The Arctic's strategic importance is growing, leading to increased competition among countries for control over shipping lanes and resources.
How should countries balance economic interests with environmental protection in the Arctic? What ethical considerations arise?
Adapting to Climate Change: Strategies and Challenges
- While the impacts of climate change are significant, adaptation offers a pathway to resilience.
Health Systems
- Early Warning Systems:
- Improve forecasting for heatwaves and disease outbreaks.
- Infrastructure:
- Invest in cooling centers and water sanitation facilities.
- Prevention and Treatment:
- Develop new ways of preventing diseases (vaccines, barriers to diffusion) and new medical procedures and medicines.
Migration Policies
- Planned Relocation:
- Develop strategies for relocating vulnerable communities.
- Legal Frameworks:
- Change the legal definition of a "refugee".
- Establish legal protection for climate refugees.
Economic Investments
- Resilient Infrastructure:
- Upgrade roads, bridges, and buildings to withstand extreme weather.
- Diversified Economies:
- Reduce reliance on climate-sensitive industries.
Arctic Governance
- Environmental Regulations:
- Implement strict guidelines for shipping and resource extraction.
- International Cooperation:
- Promote dialogue among Arctic nations to manage shared resources.
What are the three main health hazards exacerbated by climate change? How do they interconnect?
Reflection and Broader Implications
- Climate change is a global challenge that requires coordinated action across sectors and borders.
- As you study these vulnerabilities, consider the ethical, social, and economic dimensions of adaptation.
How do cultural perspectives influence decisions about relocation or resource management? What role does equity play in adaptation strategies?
