L28: Climate Change and Poverty Flashcards
Climate change definition
Climate change refers to a change in the state of the climate that can be identified by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades.
Climate change may be due to natural internal processes or external forcings, or to persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use.
situation
historically: CO2 rise tends to follow temperature change
present: CO2 rise recedes temperature change
Effects of climate change:
- changes in temperature
- moisture related changes (precipitation, soil moisture, runoff, evaporation)
General changes in Africa with climate change
Drier in north and south. wetter around tropics, more extreme events, sea level rise
General changes in Asia with climate change
More variable rainfall during summer monsoon, increased tropical cycle intensity, more extreme events, sea level rise
General changes in Latin America with climate change
More frequence and worse El Nino effect, changes in temperature & rainfall, sea level rise
General changes in small islands with climate change
Temperature increase, sea level rise
mitigation:
reducing emissions to reduce or avoid climate change
adaptation:
responding to climate change
reactive: adaptation with results
anticipative: adaptation to lower the cost
Economic impacts
- structure of economy (climate and weather sensitive sectors)
- impact on actual resources
- disruption on economic growth paths
- disrupted government revenues
- disaster relief expenditures
(developed countries more resilient)
Impact of climate change on poverty
- economic growth
- direct effect on livelihood’s and assets
- increased level of risk
Vulnerability:
indication of people’s exposure to external risks, shocks and stresses and ability to cope with and recover from resulting impacts.
can change seasonally, across communities, across age groups
climate change and vulnerability
- increasing frequency of climate extremes
- increasing climate variability
- systematic changes in climate in vulnerable locations
- degradation of ecosystem goods & services
climate change and impact on health:
- reduced food security
- reduced water security
- reduced water quality resulting in water-borne diseases
- favourable conditions for vector-borne and air-borne diseases
- heat stress
Adaptation now:
- risk reduction (know risk + options)
- community preparedness
- enhancing natural resilience
- microcredit
- safety nets
- reversing CNN effect
