How can poor countries adapt to a changing climate?
November 1st, 2009 by Admin
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Communities are key to unlocking what is needed
Climate change threatens development and is fast pushing the poorest communities beyond their capacity to respond to climate variability and disasters.
Communities and governments are key
Communities themselves are the key to unlocking what is needed for adaptation to climate change. They are aware of the changes that are happening in their own contexts, and how this is impacting on their livelihoods.
National governments must focus on adaptation towards the needs of their most vulnerable communities, and the international community must deliver the resources to support them.
What communities are doing
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To cope with
increased flooding: |
- upgrading national flood early warning systems;
- building new homes and schools on raised foundations;
- building platforms for emergency flood shelter;
- integrating flood risks into governmental and budget planning;
- creating a community-based action plan for responding to flood.
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To cope with lower, more
erratic rainfall |
- upgrading national meteorological systems and medium-term forecasts;
- researching, testing and growing drought-tolerant crop varieties;
- installing efficient, low-cost irrigation systems;
- installing rain-water harvesting systems;
- spreading water-conserving farming practices.
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| To cope with more severe hurricanes: |
- upgrading hurricane early warning systems and community awareness;
- planting a mangrove ‘bio-shield’ along the coast to diffuse storm waves;
- changing building regulations to reinforce new infrastructure.
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