The region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECA) is already
experiencing the consequences of climate change: increasing
variability, warmer temperatures, altered hydrology. Events such as
droughts, floods, heat waves, windstorms, and forest fires are
increasing in number and severity. The concentration of greenhouse
gases already in the atmosphere guarantees that similar or greater
changes are yet to come--even if the world were to completely stop
emitting CO2 today.
This region is particularly vulnerable because of its legacy of
socioeconomic issues, environmental mismanagement, aging infrastructure
and housing, and under-investment in hydrometeorological, rural, and
health institutions. The resulting adaptation deficit will exacerbate
climate risks and hamper the ability of sectors that could gain from
climate change, such as agriculture, to reap the full benefits.
Adapting to Climate Change in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
presents an overview of what adaptation to climate change might mean
for the countries of ECA. It starts with a discussion of emerging
best-practice adaptation planning around the world and a review of the
latest climate projections. It then discusses possible actions to
improve resilience organized around impacts on natural resources,
health, the unbuilt environment of agriculture and forestry, and the
built environment of infrastructure and housing. The book concludes
with a discussion of two areas in great need of strengthening: disaster
preparedness and hydrometeorological services.
The next decade offers a window of opportunity for ECA countries to
make their development more resilient to climate change. While some
impacts of climate change are already being felt, they are likely to
remain manageable over the next decade, offering the ECA region a short
period of time to focus on actions that have numerous benefits both
today and in the future.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview
Climate Change--A Major Threat to Eastern Europe and Central Asia
• Vulnerability Will Be Dominated by Socioeconomic Factors and
Legacy Issues • Even Countries and Sectors that Could Benefit
from Climate Change Are Poorly Positioned To Do So • The Next
Decade Offers a Window of Opportunity for ECA Countries
1. A Framework for Developing Adaptation Plans
Vulnerability as a Function of Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive
Capacity • From Vulnerability to Action: Tackling the Challenge
of Adaptation • Effective Adaptation Requires the Right
Decision-Making Tools
2. How ECA's Climate Has Changed and Is Likely to Change
Further
Eastern Europe and Central Asia's Climate Is Already Changing
• More Change Is Certain—the Question Is Where and How
• Climate Projections: How Is Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Likely To Be Affected?
3. Human Health: The Most Basic Vulnerability
Warmer and More Extreme Weather Brings New Threats and Exacerbates
Others • Vulnerability from Climate-Driven Migration: The Health
Perspective • Assessing Vulnerability and Prioritizing
Protections
4. Climate Change Will Make Water and Land Management More
Complex
More Difficult Water Resource Management—Too Much or Too Little
of a Good Thing? • More Stress on Already Stressed Coastal Areas
• Declining Arctic Ice, Tundra, and Permafrost • Threats to
Biodiversity Are Significant
5. The Unbuilt Environment: Agriculture and Forestry
Climate Impacts Will Exacerbate ECA's Persistent Problem of Rural
Poverty • Models Predict There Will Be Winners and Losers in ECA
• The State and Sensitivities of ECA's Agriculture Today
• Potential Climate Change Winners Face Their Own Challenges
• Adaptation in the Productive Environment
6. The Built Environment: Cities, Water Systems, Energy, and
Transport
Urban Challenges: Making Cities Livable and Viable in a Warmer Century
• Water: Supplying All Human Activity Essential for Facing
Multiple Pressures • Energy-Sector Vulnerabilities: New Pressure
to Overcome a Legacy of Inefficiency • Transport: Taking On
Another Increment of Challenge
7. Protection and Preparation: Disaster Risk Management and
Weather Forecasting
Softening the Blow When Disaster Strikes • Understanding When
Extreme Weather Is Coming • Conclusion
- Shipping Weight: 1.12 lbs (0.51 kgs)
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