Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change (America's Climate Choices) PDF
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http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12783.html We ship printed books within 1 business day; personal PDFs are available immediately. Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change America's Climate Choices: Panel on Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change; National Research Council ISBN: 0-309-14592-9, 292 pages, 7 x 10, (2010) This PDF is available from the National Academies Press at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12783.html Visit the National Academies Press online, the authoritative source for all books from the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council: • Download hundreds of free books in PDF • Read thousands of books online for free • Explore our innovative research tools – try the “Research Dashboard” now! • Sign up to be notified when new books are published • Purchase printed books and selected PDF files Thank you for downloading this PDF. 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Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12783.html THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS • 500 Fifth Street, N.W. • Washington, DC 20001 NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special compe- tences and with regard for appropriate balance. This study was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under contract number DG133R08CQ0062. Any opinions, fndings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily refect the views of the sponsoring agency or any of its sub agencies. International Standard Book Number-13: 978-0-309-14591-6 (Book) International Standard Book Number-10: 0-309-14591-0 (Book) International Standard Book Number-13: 978-0-309-14592-3 (PDF) International Standard Book Number-10: 0-309-14592-9 (PDF) Library of Congress Control Number: 2010940139 Additional copies of this report are available from the National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street, N.W., Lockbox 285, Washington, DC 20055; (800) 624-6242 or (202) 334-3313 (in the Washington metropolitan area); Internet, http://www.nap.edu Cover images: Far left: courtesy of NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team Middle left: courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Middle right: courtesy of Fotosearch Stock Photography Far right: courtesy of University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Photo by Carlye Calvin Copyright 2010 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12783.html The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonproft, self-perpetuating society of distin- guished scholars engaged in scientifc and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientifc and technical matters. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone is president of the National Academy of Sciences. The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Charles M. Vest is president of the National Academy of Engineering. The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to se- cure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and educa- tion. Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg is president of the Institute of Medicine. The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of fur- thering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing ser- vices to the government, the public, and the scientifc and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone and Dr. Charles M. Vest are chair and vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council. www.national-academies.org Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12783.html Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12783.html PANEL ON ADAPTINg TO THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANgE KATHARINE L. JACObS* (Chair—through January 3, 2010), University of Arizona, Tucson THOMAS J. WILbANKS (Chair), Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee bRuCE P. bAugHMAN, IEM, Inc., Alabaster, Alabama ROgER N. bEACHy,* Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri gEORgES C. bENJAMIN, American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C. JAMES L. buIzER, Arizona State University, Tempe F. STuART CHAPIN III, University of Alaska, Fairbanks W. PETER CHERRy, Science Applications International Corporation, Ann Arbor, Michigan bRAxTON DAvIS, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Charleston KRISTIE L. EbI, IPCC Technical Support Unit WGII, Stanford, California JEREMy HARRIS, Sustainable Cities Institute, Honolulu, Hawaii RObERT W. KATES, Independent Scholar, Bangor, Maine HOWARD C. KuNREuTHER, University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, Philadelphia LINDA O. MEARNS, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado PHILIP MOTE, Oregon State University, Corvallis ANDREW A. ROSENbERg, Conservation International, Arlington, Virginia HENRy g. SCHWARTz, JR., Jacobs Civil (retired), St. Louis, Missouri JOEL b. SMITH, Stratus Consulting, Inc., Boulder, Colorado gARy W. yOHE, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut NRC Staff CLAuDIA MENgELT, Study Director MICHAEL CRAgHAN, Program Offcer KARA LANEy, Associate Program Offcer JOSEPH CASOLA, Postdoctoral Fellow LAuREN M. bROWN, Research Associate AMANDA PuRCELL, Senior Program Assistant * Asterisks denote members who resigned during the study process. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12783.html Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12783.html Foreword: About America’s Climate Choices onvened by the National Research Council in response to a request from Congress (P.L. 110-161), America’s Climate Choices is a suite of fve coordinated Cactivities designed to study the serious and sweeping issues associated with global climate change, including the science and technology challenges involved, and to provide advice on the most effective steps and most promising strategies that can be taken to respond. The Committee on America’s Climate Choices is responsible for providing overall direction, coordination, and integration of the America’s Climate Choices suite of activi- ties and ensuring that these activities provide well-supported, action-oriented, and useful advice to the nation. The committee convened a Summit on America’s Climate Choices on March 30–31, 2009, to help frame the study, and provide an opportunity for high-level participation and input on key issues. The committee is also charged with writing a fnal report that builds on four panel reports and other sources to answer the following four overarching questions: • What short-term actions can be taken to respond effectively to climate change? • What promising long-term strategies, investments, and opportunities could be pursued to respond to climate change? • What are the major scientifc and technological advances needed to better understand and respond to climate change? • What are the major impediments (e.g., practical, institutional, economic, ethi- cal, intergenerational, etc.) to responding effectively to climate change, and what can be done to overcome these impediments? The Panel on Limiting the Magnitude of Future Climate Change was charged to describe, analyze, and assess strategies for reducing the net future human infuence on climate. The panel’s report focuses on actions to reduce domestic greenhouse gas emissions and other human drivers of climate change, such as changes in land use, but also considers the international dimensions of climate stabilization. The Panel on Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change was charged to describe, analyze, and assess actions and strategies to reduce vulnerability, increase adaptive ii Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12783.html F O R E W O R D capacity, improve resiliency, and promote successful adaptation to climate change in different regions, sectors, systems, and populations. This report draws on a wide range of sources and case studies to identify lessons learned from past experiences, promis- ing current approaches, and potential new directions. The Panel on Advancing the Science of Climate Change was charged to provide a concise overview of past, present, and future climate change, including its causes and its impacts, and to recommend steps to advance our current understanding, including new observations, research programs, next-generation models, and the physical and human assets needed to support these and other activities. The panel’s report focuses on the scientifc advances needed both to improve our understanding of the intergrated human-climate system and to devise more effective responses to climate change. The Panel on Informing Effective Decisions and Actions Related to Climate Change was charged to describe and assess different activities, products, strategies, and tools for informing decision makers about climate change and helping them plan and ex- ecute effective, integrated responses. The panel’s report describes the different types of climate change-related decisions and actions being taken at various levels and in different sectors and regions; it develops a framework, tools, and practical advice for ensuring that the best available technical knowledge about climate change is used to inform these decisions and actions. America’s Climate Choices builds on an extensive foundation of previous and ongoing work, including National Research Council reports, assessments from other national and international organizations, the current scientifc literature, climate action plans by various entities, and other sources. More than a dozen boards and standing com- mittees of the National Research Council were involved in developing the study, and many additional groups and individuals provided additional input during the study process. Outside viewpoints were also obtained via public events and workshops (including the Summit), invited presentations at committee and panel meetings, and comments and questions received through the study website, http://americasclimate choices.org. Collectively, the America’s Climate Choices suite of activities involves more than 90 volunteers from a range of communities including academia, various levels of govern- ment, business and industry, other nongovernmental organizations, and the interna- tional community. Responsibility for the fnal content of each report rests solely with the authoring panel and the National Research Council. However, the development of each report included input from and interactions with members of all fve study groups; the membership of each group is listed in Appendix A. iii Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12783.html Preface his report presents the fndings of the Committee on Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change, one of four concurrent panel efforts within the America’s TClimate Choices committee study. It was our assignment to identify the opportu- nities and challenges associated with adaptation, to identify and evaluate the avail- able options and lessons learned within the United States and elsewhere, and to make recommendations regarding U.S. adaptation efforts. Adapting to climate change is a relatively new topic for U.S. citizens, who have only recently become fully aware of the implications of changes in the Earth system that will result from having more heat trapped in the oceans and the atmosphere. In recent years, some states, cities, and sectors have begun to make plans to adapt to current and anticipated changes in the climate system. Some “early adopters” have focused primarily on limiting greenhouse gases (GHGs). Others, however, are also addressing ways to limit impacts of the anticipated changes, recognizing that regardless of efforts to limit emissions, adaptation is required now and will become even more important in the coming decades. Although planning for adaptation is still in its infancy, there is a groundswell of interest in moving forward quickly to avoid future impacts of climate change. Advising the nation on how to prepare for the impacts of climate change is especially daunting in a country with so much geographic and economic diversity and so many private- and public-sector decision makers. The challenges associated with multiple regions, sectors, scales, and time frames have made this a diffcult assignment, and in the end, our panel has concluded that is not possible to provide a list of actions to be taken now to adapt in each region and sector. As has been noted by many researchers and practitioners, adaptation is fundamentally implemented at local and regional lev- els and needs to consider the socioeconomic and political factors. Priorities regarding “what to do” need to be set in decision contexts relative to other important priorities faced by society and resource managers. Vulnerability associated with climate change is based on underlying social and ecological stresses, and these stresses tend to vary dramatically from place to place. Degrees of vulnerability are not directly connected to wealth, but certainly a lack of fnancial capacity is highly correlated with a reduced number of options for adaptation. In this report, our panel emphasizes that adaptation decisions need to be made in the context of promoting long-term sustainability ob- ix Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
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