Dr James D. Ford, Dr Lea Berrang-Ford, Alexandra LesnikowskiClimate Change Adaptation Research GroupDept. Of GeographyMcGill University, Montreal www.jamesford.ca james.ford@mcgill.ca, lea.berrangford@mcgill.ca, alexandra.lesnikowski@mail.mcgill.ca

Are we adapting to climate change?

Outline

Context

1. The rise of adaptation▪ Failure of mitigation ▪ Locked into some climate change (likely >2C) ▪ Climate already changing ▪ Multiple benefits today

2. Are we adapting? ▪ Policy implications▪ Does anyone know if adaptation is taking place and where? ▪ Does anyone know if mitigation is taking place and where?

s

The famous “Keeling Curve”

Outline

Context

3. How do we track adaptation?▪ Mitigation is relatively easy to monitor ▪ Adaptation is more challenging

4. Emerging imperative: indicators and milestone for adaptation

▪ What are appropriate indicators of adaptation?▪ Is there evidence that we are adapting?▪ What would adaptation ‘look like’?

Outline

How is adaptation tracked currently?

1. IPCC reports / National assessments ▪ Qualitative▪ Criticisms of methods: Not systematic, transparent ▪ Time-consuming & not timely (5-6 years)

2. Expert knowledge

Outline

Adaptation tracking: a call for new approaches

1. Systematic2. (semi) Quantitative3. Rapid4. Focused on adaptation action5. Emerging examples

▪ Tompkins et al. (2010) – adaptation in the UK (grey & peer-reviewed lit)▪ Arnell (2010) – review of Climatic Change▪ Biesbroek et al (2010) - adaptation in the EU

Outline

Why do we need this type of review?1. Systematic, rapid, transparent (selection +

analysis)2. Compliments IPCC process3. Guided by a focused question: Are we adapting?4. Provide a snapshot of trends using a simple proxy

A need for increased (methodological) scrutiny of global adaptation.

Are we adapting to climate change?A global systematic review of climate change adaptation

Systematic review

of peer-reviewed literature

Ford et al 2011; Ford et al 2011

“climat*”AND

“adapt*”

In Web of Knowledge2006-2009

Systematic document retrieval

Inclusion ExclusionPhase 1: Keyword searchEnglish Non-English1 January 2006-1 July 2009 Pre-2006 or after 1 July 2009Indexed in the ISI WOK Not available via ISI WOKReviews & Articles OtherPhase 2: Title & abstract review

Human Natural (e.g. plants, animals)Adaptive response Mitigation, Vulnerability onlyPractical focus Conceptual / Theoretical focus Present Prehistoric or futureAdaptation activities or actions Predictive models & vulnerability

assessments or intentions to act

87 documents

met inclusion criteria

Aimed at quantitative analysis

What is the stimulus?Who or what is adapting?What is the nature of the

adaptation?

Systematic document analysis

Are we adapting to climate change?A global systematic review of climate change adaptation

Reporting on adaptation

actions is limited but increasing

Are we adapting to climate change?A global systematic review of climate change adaptation

Adaptations are most likely to be stimulated by climatic variability

Are we adapting to climate change?A global systematic review of climate change adaptation

Adaptations are often mainstreamed

Debates over mainstreaming (e.g. Dovers (2009), Adger and Barnett (2009))

Are we adapting to climate change?A global systematic review of climate change adaptation

The global distribution of adaptation reports is

inequitable

Are we adapting to climate change?A global systematic review of climate change adaptation

Adaptation profiles differ between high and low

income countries

Low HighReactive adaptations Proactive adaptations

Short-term motivations (e.g. market conditions)

Stimulated by long-term climate change

Individual or community level

National and regional level

Weak government or stakeholder involvement

Stronger government involvement

Natural resource sectors (e.g. agriculture,

fisheries)

Non-resource sectors (e.g. infrastructure,

transportation)Avoiding, coping,

spreading riskMonitoring, building

partnerships, institutional guidelines

Middle income countries are varied, but generally have a similar profile to low

income countries

Are we adapting to climate change?A global systematic review of climate change adaptation

The global distribution of adaptation reports is inequitable

Outline

Discussion

1. Adaptation action is limited (research has not translated into action).

2. Extreme climate stimuli may facilitate adaptation response.

3. There is an adaptation deficit in middle-income countries (despite a similar profile to low income countries)

4. Negligible action to take advantage of adaptive opportunities

5. Negligible consideration of unique vulnerabilities of women, elderly, children, and non-Arctic Indigenous populations.

Is adaptation to the health effects of climate change taking place?

1. Systematic assessment of adaptation actions in high income nations

2. Further development of ‘are we adapting’ methodology

Lesnikowski et al 2011

Goals

1. How advanced are national responses?• What range of health vulnerabilities are being addressed?• What types of action are being initiated?

2. Are the needs of all populations considered?• Are vulnerable groups being integrated into adaptation planning and

implementation?

3. Who is leading the way and who is lagging behind?

Methods1. Policy analysis of National Communications of 38 Annex-1

nations to the UNFCCC (NC 5’s : 2009-10) 2. Identification of adaptations

• Any reference of initiatives resulting to health vulnerabilities of CC • N=1,912

3. Development of a Policy codebook• Level of actions

• Statements of recognition• Groundwork: impact / vulnerability assessments, adaptation

research, stakeholder involvement, conceptual tools, policy recommendations

• Adaptation action: legislation, infrastructure, outreach, surveillance, financial support, medical interventions

• Health vulnerabilities: extreme weather, food and water safety, air quality, vector-borne disease, etc.

Result 1: Adaptation is primarily at the groundwork stage

Result 2: Major health vulnerabilities not addressed by all nations

Health Vulnerability: Extreme Heat

Health Vulnerability: Floods

Health Vulnerability: Disease

Result 3: Limited health rationale in adaptations

1. Majority of adaptations relevant for health but not framed as ‘health adaptations’

2. Only 15% explicitly presented as health adaptations

3. Consistent with health adaptation deficit (e.g. Costello et al 2009)

4. Mainstreaming dominates

Result 4: Reporting on groups is inconsistent across populations

1. Limited evidence that vulnerable populations being targeted

People With Chronic and Pre-existing Conditions: How Often Are Their Needs Considered?

Adaptation Areas Addressed

People with Disabilities: How Often Are Their Needs Considered?

Adaptation Areas Addressed

Indigenous Groups: How Often Are Their Needs Considered?

Adaptation Areas Addressed

Discussion

1. Adaptation action is limited (research has not translated into action)

2. Impact and vulnerability assessments dominate3. Hypothesize a role for extreme events, country size 4. The link between CC impacts and human health in not being

explicitly made

Adaptation in Canadian Health Policy

A systematic review of Civil Society Organization (CSO) participation in health adaptation initiatives in Canada

Poutiainen et al. (In submission)

Methods1. Systematic identification of CSOs engaged in health adaptation activities in Canada2. Quantitative systematic review of adaptation actions (mandate, jurisdiction, stimulus,

response)3. Qualitative interviews with 17 leading CSO engaged in health adaptation initiatives

in CanadaKey results1. CSO Participation is highly diverse. CC recognition high among senior admin in leading

organizations2. Adaptation actions are largely occurring outside of the health sector3. Responses predominantly reflect awareness & research activities4. Partnerships across sectors and stakeholders are widely considered as the most important future

opportunity for CSOs5. National and international policies are critical in defining the financial and policy environment

190 OrganizationsDatabase of 1196

initiatives

Summary: Are we adapting to climate change?

1. 3 research projects: systematic tracking methodology developed

2. Baseline of current action:• Adaptation is emerging as a priority, but we remain

predominantly in the groundwork stages.• Adaptations are generally mainstreamed (will this be

enough?)• There is limited focus on vulnerable populations, despite

evidence of differential vulnerability.3. Critical time for adaptation 4. Need for continued assessment of progress

Outline

Limitations and considerations

1. Data quality is a primary concern What kind of data do you use? Need to consider accessibility, consistency

2. Adaptation as a concept is constantly evolving What does adaptation look like? How do you define and categorize adaptation?

3. How strictly do you define what you include and exclude in a systematic analysis?

4. A reasonable proxy of adaptation trends

Where do we go from here?

1. Expanded global analysis▪ High, middle, and low-income countries▪ Total of 105 countries from all continents▪ Full range of vulnerabilities identified in IPCC AR4▪ Cross-sector analysis

2. NC6 Measuring progress on adaptation

3. What makes countries more likely to adapt? Comparing “factors” of adaptation using data gathered from NC5 Do countries with similar adaptation profiles share particular

characteristics? A C Lesnikowski et al (In preparation)

Thank-you Questions?

Alexandra Lesnikowskialexandra.lesnikowski@mail.mcgill.cawww.jamesford.ca