ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

PRESENTED BY:

OBIAGERI ACHOLONU

COURSE: CLIMATE CHANGE

PROF.

LECTURER IN CHARGE

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

BAZE UNIVERSITY, ABUJA

Climate change is expected to place considerable additional stress on the biophysical,

economic, political and social systems that determine livelihood security in Africa (Leary et al.

2008). Accordingly there is a growing need for ‘anticipatory adaptation’ or proactive rather than

reactive management of climate change risk. Successful anticipatory adaptation requires the best

available information concerning the nature of future climate risks; therefore, it is vital that

climate change scenarios are used more effectively in adaptation decision making.

Understanding how organizations are accessing and using climate scenarios is a priority

(McNabb & Sepic 1995, Hassol 2008). This is necessary for coordinating climate science

applications, as well as facilitating better coordination of donor-funded activities (Nyong 2005,

Patt et al. 2007, Wilby 2007).

2.0 Concept of Climate Change

Climate change refers to shifts in the mean state of the climate or in its variability,

persisting for an extended period (decades or longer). Adaptation strategies and actions should

aim to secure well-being in the face of climate variability, climate change and a wide variety of

difficult to predict biophysical and social contingencies. Adaptation is most relevant when it

influences decisions that exist in light of climate change and that have consequences on decadal

time scales (Stainforth et al. 2007). Annual climate information, such as seasonal climate

forecasts, has become widely available, and much research has been done on the opportunities

and barriers to using this information in Africa (Ziervogel & Downing 2004, Vogel & O’Brien

2006, Washington et al. 2006, Patt et al. 2007). Yet, in the complex nexus of what actions to take

and at what cost, the appropriate use of climate information in risk assessments is still lacking at
time scales longer than decades, especially in the most vulnerable areas of the world. Climate

change scenarios provide information relevant to planning beyond the next few decades, yet are

not widely used.

The state of research around Climate Change Adaptation

Since the ratification of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

(UNFCCC), various international research programs have been initiated in order to develop the

capacity of developing countries to cope with the effects of climate change.

Typically, these research programs are a collaborative effort of many different

organizations involving research institutes, NGOs, as well as governmental organizations.

On the climate science side, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is

the preeminent source of climate change information. The IPCC reviews and collates research on

a range of climate change- related issues and records climate data in its data distribution centre

(DDC). No African climate research organizations are involved in producing GCM models.

Because of the lack of the necessary tools, both human and instrumental, Africa depends, to a

very large extent, on organizations based in Europe and North America for its operational

climate forecasting capacity. Three organizations—the NOAA (National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration, USA), UK Met Office/Hadley Centre (UK) and the CNRS (Centre

National de la Recherche Scientifique, France)—routinely make seasonal climate forecasts for

Africa based on their respective GCM models. Among these 3 institutions, the Hadley Centre,

and specifically their dynamically downscaled PRECIS model, is the most widely consulted,

especially in southern Africa.

Within Africa, a number of organizations engage in climate work, although the need for

regional modeling and downscaling of GCM outputs is yet to be adequately met from within
Africa. The ICPAC, based in Nairobi, Kenya, is a regional climate center that was established in

1989 as the Drought Monitoring Centre in Nairobi (DMCN) in an effort to minimize the negative

impacts of extreme climate events like droughts and floods along the Greater Horn of Africa.

The major goal of the ICPAC is to improve and enhance the production and provision of

sector-relevant climate information and applications in the region, focusing on decadal (10 d),

monthly and seasonal forecasts.

Whereas the focus of the center is primarily on the production of information about

climate variability, the ICPAC has recently also started to work on generating climate change

projection data, mainly through the use of the PRECIS dynamical downscaling model.

The ACMAD focuses on weather forecast information and does not yet interpret climate

predictions from the model products. The CSAG is the only African institution currently engaged

in empirical downscaling activities for climate change. In 2009 the CSAG made available

downscaled data from 10 GCM AR4 (IPCC 4th assessment report) models, including

downscaled daily data for the A2 scenario and for the 2046 to 2065 and 2081 to 2100 periods.

3.0 Strategies to adapt to new Climates Changes

Addressing climate change requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond market

mechanisms. But it falls under a broad area of mechanisms designed under the Paris Agreement

(also called by some as the Paris Accord).

Overall, Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides a framework for international

cooperation and collaboration in tackling climate change by enabling countries to work together,

exchange emissions reductions, and support each other in achieving their climate goals.

However, the operational details and rules for implementing Article 6 were left to be negotiated
further in subsequent United Nations climate conferences, such as the Conference of the Parties

(COP)

Below are the suggested strategy that if implemented, it will change the climate in

positive ways;

a. Regulation and Legislation: Governments can enact laws and regulations to limit

greenhouse gas emissions, such as setting emissions standards for industries or mandating

energy efficiency standards for buildings and appliances.

b. Subsidies and Incentives: Governments can provide subsidies and incentives for

renewable energy sources, energy-efficient technologies, and sustainable practices to

encourage their adoption and development.

c. Research and Development Funding: Governments can invest in research and

development (R&D) for clean energy technologies and climate adaptation strategies to

spur innovation and reduce costs.

d. Public Education and Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public about climate

change and its impacts can lead to changes in behavior, such as reducing energy

consumption, adopting sustainable transportation options, and supporting policies to

address climate change

e. International Agreements and Diplomacy: Collaboration between countries through

international agreements like the Paris Agreement can facilitate coordinated efforts to

mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts.

development of CCS technologies to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions from

industrial processes and power plants.

g. Afforestation and Reforestation: Governments can implement programs to plant trees

and restore ecosystems to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and enhance

biodiversity.

h. Urban Planning and Infrastructure Development: Planning cities and infrastructure to

be more resilient to climate change impacts, such as flooding and extreme weather

events, can reduce vulnerability and promote sustainable development.

i. Community-Based Initiatives: Encouraging grassroots initiatives and community-led

projects can empower local communities to take action on climate change, such as

community gardens, renewable energy cooperatives, and recycling programs.

j. Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practices: Encouraging businesses to

adopt sustainable practices, reduce emissions throughout their supply chains, and disclose

their carbon footprint can contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.

k. Environmental Conservation and Restoration: Protecting and restoring natural

habitats such as wetlands, mangroves, and coral reefs can help sequester carbon and

enhance ecosystem resilience to climate change.

l. Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness: Investing in disaster risk reduction

measures and early warning systems can help communities prepare for and respond to

climate-related disasters, reducing their impact on human lives and infrastructure.

Research should form the foundation of decision-making processes in addressing climate

change. This ensures that realistic scenarios, risk assessments, and trade-offs are integrated into
planning and financial investments aimed at enhancing adaptation and resilience in agriculture.

The active engagement of researchers is essential for building the capacity to implement

necessary changes in human behavior and social infrastructure.

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