1. Adapting to Climate Change on a Global Scale: Perspectives from the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit Diane W. Husic, Ph.D. Professor and Chair Department of Biological Sciences Moravian College Bethlehem, PA

2. December 7 – 19, 2009 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP) 1992 Rio Earth Summit Kyoto Protocol  Annex I Parties  Annex II Parties Bali Road Map (COP13)  Copenhagen Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports (IPCC)  AR4 (2007)

3. Lessons to consider: The UNFCCC premise #1: Decisions for action are based on science (it is not an issue of believing in climate change or not). The UNFCCC premise #2 (shared by PA, see p. 2 of Weathering Climate Change: “We must plan for the adaptation of natural and human systems to the unavoidable impacts of a warming climate.”

4. Civil Society Observers Constituency Groups

5. Cross-national dialog

6. Lessons to consider : The decision-making processes should be inclusive, but minimize the bureaucracy.

7. Also consider which voices aren’t being heard …

8. Lessons to consider: Skip the acronyms and diplomatic jargon! Conference of the Parties RINGOs BAUBAU AWG-KP Annex I and II AOSIS CER BRIC CMP COP GHGs IPCC LDCs LULUCF REDD+ NAPAs NGOs OECD Subsidiary body AR4 UNFCCC WMO AG13

9. Alternative Forums

10. The Plenary Sessions Side events Lessons to consider: Transparency, communication, and educating the stakeholders about the process, priorities and decisions are important.

12. Lessons to consider: Consider carefully who will be the spokesperson for climate-change related initiatives.

13. Prominent voices can be powerful….

14. Or polarizing….

15. Adapting to Climate Change

16. When did adaptation come into the international negotiations process? Aspects of adaptation were included in the Kyoto Protocol UNFCCC’s stated goal: “stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations to a level and within a timeframe that allows for ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.” UNFCCC’s first principle: “Developed countries should take the lead in combating the adverse affects of climate change.”

17. Defining adaptation “Involves a process of sustainable and permanent adjustment in response to new and changing environmental circumstances” (UNDP). “Climate change will affect every aspect of society, environment and economy. This means adjusting behavior, livelihoods, infrastructure, laws and policies and institutions in response to experienced or expected climatic events” (UNDP). Linked to sustainable development & reducing vulnerability. Aims to reduce risk yet there are many uncertainties in predicting the impact of climate change. Can be reactive or anticipatory. Can occur at a local, regional or global scale.

18. Relevant reports IPPC AR4, Working Group 2: Climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability Summary for Policymakers -There is also a technical summary to delve into the details Adaptation to Climate Change: The New Challenge for Development in the Developing World (UNDP 2008) Adaptation Policy Frameworks for Climate Change: Developing Strategies, Policies and Measures (UNDP 2004) Nairobi Framework (2006) Conservation International’s Climate Change Adaptation Policy Position (11/2009)

19. http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_states/adaptation_map.cfm State Climate Change Adaptation Plans

20. UNFCCC adaptation policies and practices consider: Extreme climate events Food security Economic sectors, industry Health and survival Strained water supplies/water quality Biodiversity – regional and globally Protection of natural resources Preservation of human cultures, livelihoods (settlement & society) Local, regional or global? Addressing impacts that could be sudden or that are slower-onset?.

21. Conservation International’s recommendations for adaptation (the way forward): Conduct vulnerability assessments for communities, biodiversity and ecosystem services; Identify key adaptation responses for species and ecosystems and link them to local, regional and national planning processes; Work with and build local capacities; support local communities; Apply the best available science and multi-disciplinary approaches; Learn by doing (adaptive management).

23. Adaptive capacity needs to be improved everywhere (high confidence) -- AR4 2007 Only a small amount of literature on the costs of climate change impacts are available. The literature on adaptation costs and benefits is limited and fragmented. Developing adaptation strategies is especially complicated in cases where there is limited data and/or multiple stresses.

24. “Adaptation is not cost-free and does not yield the same benefits everywhere. Win-win solutions are unlikely with climate change as there will always be winners and losers from extreme events.” (Adger, 2001)

25. Examples from Africa

26. Adaptive strategies: Partnerships and collaborations are key Some adaptations measures are cross-sectoral (e.g. from Bhutan) Consider the prevention & removal of maladaptive practices Understand bases for characterizing and differentiating adaptation; Adaptive capacity Benchmarking and best practices Brand new report: Synthesis report on efforts undertaken to assess the costs and benefits of adaptation options, and views on lessons learned, good practices, gaps and needs – UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice For the 32 session in bon, May 31 – June 9, 2010

27. Nature is always changing. Nature is resilient – more so that we sometimes give it credit for. Technological solutions are not always the best. Humans are a part of nature. Some closing thoughts unrelated to COP15 Consider the opportunities and successes; don’t always focus on the challenges.