Mapping climate-change-related processes affecting most frequented routes by French mountain guides

Water sprays from an open fire hydrant in Brooklyn, New York, in the midst of a July 2010 heat wave that affected much of the eastern United States.In 2007 the New York City Department of Environmental Protection first teamed up with Alianza Dominicana, a Washington Heights community organization, to educate city residents about the appropriate use of fire hydrants and other ways

Climate Change and Health: Strengthening the Evidence Base for Policy

Country(side) in the Context of Climate Change The theme of this issue of M/C Journal is ‘country’, with a remit to contemplate the multifaceted and pliable deployment of that term. Notably, ‘country’ can be used synonymously with both ‘the rural’ and ‘the nation’, and in many contemporary western societies these evocations are not so far apart. Indeed, they often overlap: countryside landscapes (which may be either pastoral or wilderness) are frequently used as symbolic sites to encapsulate broader national imaginaries and thus project a wider sense of national identity and belonging. As David Bell argues, the (rural and/or ‘natural’) countryside is often deployed as a storehouse for cultural meanings associated with national values that “shor[e] up what it means to be English, or Dutch, or whatever” (151). This association is apparent in Australia too, where interleaving the countryside and nation-state is long-standing in settler (i.e. Anglo-Australian) landscape tropes, notably ‘the bush’, ‘the outback’ and the wheat/sheep farming belt (Gorman-Murray et al; Ward; Sarah Bell). My entry into this theme is through what might seem, at first glance, an obscure avenue: I provide a case study of the place of “Australia’s snow country” (AALC 16) – the Australian Alps – in national imaginaries. On the one hand, the snow country may appear marginal to national landscape tropes, in which images of the bush, beach, outback, desert and tropical islands dominate. This is perhaps most apparent in images used to ‘sell’ Australia in international tourism campaigns (Gorman-Murray et al; Waitt). But on the other hand, I argue, the snow country is also prominent in Australian lives, lifestyles and mythologies, evinced through several measures. At one level, the Australian Alps in New South Wales and Victoria, in particular, are widely known for winter ski and snow sports tourism, with alpine resorts generating $1.318 billion in economic activity and 17,030 jobs in 2005 (NIEIR). At another level, the Australian Alps have been a focus of national socioeconomic development through the Snowy Mountains Scheme’s massive engineering project, completed between 1949 and 1974. Apart from national development goals around power generation and farmland irrigation, the Scheme also brought large-scale non-British migration with far-reaching implications in shaping modern Australian society (Lennon). And from yet another perspective, the Australian Alps have their own particular place in settler mythologies through narratives of the cattlemen and stockmen of ‘the high country’ (a settler descriptor for the Alps) (Lennon; Truscott). The snow country, then, and especially the Australian Alps, does play a significant role in discourses of Australian nationhood, belonging and identity. I argue that the importance of the Australian Alps in national imaginaries is heightened in the current context of societal and political apprehension about the effects of human-induced climate change on Australia. Already the warmest and driest continent, modelling suggests the effects of global warming on Australia will be severe, with south-east Australia – the most temperate part of the continent, where both the Alps and the bulk of the population are located – becoming even drier and warmer (Lowe). The Garnaut Climate Change Review (www.garnautreview.org.au) indicates that without immediate measures, many of Australia’s fragile landscapes will be radically altered as soon as 2050, including the Murray-Darling Basin, the Great Barrier Reef, the Kakadu Wetlands and the Australian Alps (Garnaut, Draft Report; Garnaut, National Press Club Address; Peatling). With regard to the snow country, research from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) indicates imminent significant reduction in the area, depth and duration of snow cover in the Alps as a result of warming and drying, with high impact scenarios estimating more than 90% shrinkage in snow cover by 2050 (Hennessey et al). This will have severe impacts on local ecosystems (Pickering et al) and ski tourism (Bicknell and McManus). But what effect might this have on the cultural significance of the snow country in national imaginaries? How will the Alps be re-valued in light of climate change? Equally, this demands consideration of how the Alps are currently, and have previously been, placed in discourses of nationhood and identity, and whether these tropes are reflected, enhanced and/or transformed in the context of climate change. To address these issues, this essay provides three narratives about how the Australian Alps have been viewed and valued in national imaginaries, each focusing on past, present and ‘future’ visions of the snow country. I begin with the present, noting how the Alps are currently figured discursively as a unique national landscape. Present evocations are, of course, based on past practices, lives and mythologies, and so in the second narrative I turn to the Alps’ settler histories. I focus on the town of Kiandra, its association with snow and alpine imagery, and the way it provided a vector for further settlement and use of the Alps. But Kiandra is now a ghost town, serving as a harbinger of possible alpine futures. So the last narrative turns to concerns about the future of the Australian Alps, and what lessons could be learnt from the expected impact of climate change on the snow country. As this ordering suggests, rather than a presenting a wholly linear argument, these narratives bounce off each other, constellating temporally and spatially diverse perspectives on the Australian Alps. The data interpreted in this essay are drawn from current media commentaries, archival sources, landscape photography (of Kiandra), and a survey on the cultural significance of the Australian snow country in the light of climate change. Throughout the discussion I use a range of descriptors for the snow country – countryside, landscape and environment, for instance. While I recognise that some of these terms have distinct definitions in certain disciplines – e.g. contentions within cultural geography about the application of ‘landscape’ (Merriman et al) – I employ them in an interchangeable and non-technical manner to describe the snow country. The Australian Alps: a Unique National Landscape The Australian snow country comprises the alpine and sub-alpine bioregions – a particular group of landscapes with distinct flora and fauna determined by a combination of climate, altitude and seasonal snow cover, and thus restricted to the more mountainous terrain in the continent’s south-east corner (AALC). As Figure 1 below indicates, the largest (and most famous) zone of snow country is the Australian Alps, which stretch across NSW, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Roughly 90% of this landscape is sub-alpine snow gum woodland, while the remaining 10% is the true alpine zone above the treeline, comprising herbaceous plants, shrubs and grasses. Snow cover in both the alpine and sub-alpine zones is seasonal, lasting from roughly May to October, but longer at higher altitudes and latitudes. Overall, the snow country makes up less than 1% of Australia’s land area, and over half of this is in the mainland Alps. Despite its limited range, this countryside is a critical component of wider ecological and hydrological conditions: the small area of high rainfall and snow cover comprising the Australian Alps “determine[s] the distribution of water to rivers, and therefore to people, in a way that affects the whole of south-eastern Australia” (Slattery 5). Figure 1: Australian alpine and sub-alpine areas. Hydrological importance aside, the Australian Alps are also culturally significant in national imaginaries. In June 2008, the Alps were chosen as one of only eight ‘national landscapes’ to be featured in Tourism Australia’s new eponymous marketing initiative, pitched as a “unique Australian destination” to international tourists (Talip 4). The ‘National Landscapes’ campaign explicitly links the snow country with national identity, configuring the Alps as an archetypical Australian landscape. Peter Jacobs, the Australian Alps Region National Landscapes Steering Committee chairman, explained the connection between the landscape and a unique Australian experience: Touring in the high country and experiencing the vast alpine landscapes, the beautiful, majestic snow gum forest is a feature that really stands out for people. And the other thing that people often find a bit odd about the Australian Alps, especially from overseas, is the snow experience and although we’re not necessarily trying to compete with international larger resorts, the whole concept of snow in Australia and being able to ski and see a snow-covered alpine landscape is very unique. (Talip 4) Snowy climatic conditions, then, are a critical element in the Alps’ national importance. But at the same time, the significance of the Australian Alps as a national landscape is not due simply to winter ski tourism. Other cultural narratives render the snow country central to Australian nationhood and cultural identity. These are also iterated by Peter Jacobs: “It’s a lot to do with the stories of […] early settlers like cattlemen and miners, the Man from Snowy River. There’s a real cultural link to the adventure of the Alps” (Talip 4). Jacobs thus draws attention to the place of the Alps in some of the central motifs of Australia’s defining bush mythologies – the pioneering cattlemen and stockmen, their role in domesticating the countryside, and their memorialisation in the well-known narrative of The Man from Snowy River (Truscott). While these configurations are white and masculine, certainly not all-inclusive or mindful of Indigenous displacement, they have been nevertheless fundamental in framing the cultural heritage and legacy of the Australian Alps. The Man from Snowy River, writt

The impact of human-induced climate change and ozone depletion are now observed to compromise the sustainability of human development as it threatens the ecological support system on which life depends. Evidences abound to show that there is climate change and ozone layer depletion in the last 2-4 decades. The Earth is warming, the warming is accelerating, and human actions are responsible. If the current climate change and warming trends remain uncontrolled, humanity will face more injury, disease and death related to natural disasters and heat waves; higher rates of food-borne, water-borne and vector-borne illnesses; and death that is more premature and disease related to air pollution. Moreover, in many parts of the world, large populations will be displaced by rising sea level, and many others will be affected by drought and famine. As glaciers melt, the hydrological cycle shifts and the productivity of arable land will change. That is the bad news. Nevertheless, the good news is that through increased interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration, and rapid deployment of mitigation strategies to stabilize climate change as well as development of proactive adaptation programmes to minimize health impact of climate change, the global community will be better prepared to cope with the challenges of protecting health from the impact of climate change. Key Words: Climate Change, Human Health, Adaptive Strategies

There is growing concern about heat waves caused by climate change. In Japan, the population is rapidly aging, and protecting older people from heatstroke is attracting public attention. Formulating evidence-based adaptation strategies is urgent for local governments, but quantitative information on future heatstroke risk is limited. Here, we assess the impact of climate and population changes on heatstroke incidence in Saitama City, Japan. We obtain anonymized emergency call records from the local government and classify heatstroke cases into 12 groups by location (indoor and outdoor), age group (0–14, 15–64, and 65+), and sex (female and male). Using this dataset, we develop statistical models of heatstroke risk and project changes in heatstroke incidence from 2010 to 2100. Key findings are as follows: Climate change in SSP5-8.5 increases heatstroke risk (cases per 1000 people per year), but the impact varies by group. Projections for the 2090s suggest that males have a higher heatstroke risk than females, regardless of the combination of location and age group. Males aged 65+ have a higher heatstroke risk than other groups both indoors and outdoors. Females are more tolerant of temperature increases than males, but the indoor heatstroke risk for females aged 65+ rapidly increases. Assuming a standard population scenario, the total heatstroke incidence (cases per year) for Saitama City increases by 6.00 times between the 2010s and 2090s. In the same period, the indoor heatstroke incidence increases by 5.47 times, and the outdoor heatstroke incidence increases by 6.48 times. The increase in heatstroke incidence is mainly due to climate change rather than population change. The impact of climate change is much smaller in SSP1-2.6 than in SSP5-8.5. Our results highlight the need for adaptation strategies that take into account the diversity of heatstroke risk functions.

The increasing variability and extremes of hydrological cycles driven by climate change present critical challenges to water resource availability, raising the likelihood of floods and droughts. Understanding the potential impacts of changing climate patterns on future water resources is essential for developing effective adaptation strategies. Within the framework of the DISTENDER project (EU Horizon-ID 101056836), we focus on assessing the resilience of European watersheds to climate stressors by modeling future water scenarios and identifying sustainable water management practices.This research comprehensively examines the impact of climate and future land use changes on extreme events in Ave Watershed in Northern Portugal using the MIKE SHE hydrological model. Future climate change projections (2021 to 2050) and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) were obtained from CMIP6 and were statistically downscaled. Annual 1-day and 3-day high runoff were used as a proxy for the extreme high runoff characteristics. We then evaluate three adaptive strategies for those impacts:Nature-based solutions: Restoring wetlands identified in the "Extended Wetland Ecosystem data," implementing sustainable agricultural practices, and adopting low-impact development methods like green and sponge cities. Technical solutions: Introducing new reservoirs in sub-watersheds lacking reservoirs to simulate cumulative effects of rainwater retention, check dams, or other storage infrastructures. Hybrid approach: Combining nature-based and technical solutions to maximize the benefits of water resources management. The climate effects show an increase in the future 1-day and 3-day flood magnitudes across all gauges and return periods. The 100-year 1-day flood in Ave River is projected to range between 496 m³/s (33% increase in SSP 3-7.0) and 721 m³/s (94% in SSP 5-8.5), compared to 372 m³/s during the reference period (1980-2020). Future land use maps for 2020–2050 were generated using the CORINE land cover and the iCLUE model based on different SSPs. Incorporating these maps into the hydrological model shows further intensification of extreme events. For instance, using the 2050 land use map, the 100-year 1-day flood is expected to range 664 m³/s (77% in SSP 3-7.0) and 866 m³/s (133 % in SSP 5-8.5) compared to the reference period. Simulations of the adaptation strategies show that nature-based solutions can reduce flood peaks by 22–32%, while technical solutions achieve 20–46% reductions, depending on the SSP. The hybrid approach demonstrates the most efficient adaptation solution, reducing flood peaks by 37–67%. For SSPs 2-4.5 and SSP 3-7.0, the hybrid approach brings flood peaks close to those observed during the reference period.By analyzing these strategies individually and collectively, the study identifies the hybrid approach as the most effective for enhancing resilience to extreme events and ensuring the sustainability of water resources. Efficacy analyses of adaptation options are essential to guide a stakeholder dialog and facilitate the necessary transformation. DISTENDER provides a methodological framework to identify and develop climate adaptation and mitigation strategies by integrating these results into a decision-support system.Keywords: Adaptation strategies, Climate change, Land use, CMIP6 Climate Model, MIKE SHE, Ave catchment

Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health and Adaptation Strategies in South China

Review of GHG emissions in Pakistan compared to SAARC countries

Chapter 5: Law and regulation

Introduction to <i>Climate Change Adaptation in New York City: Building a Risk Management Response</i>

Should we attribute all natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, extreme rainfall, extreme snowfall, glacial melting, changes in space-time distribution of rainfall, changes in ecosystems, earthquakes, fire hazards, hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, heat waves, extreme cold weather, wind storms and health epidemics, to climate change? This question often comes up when we review the burgeoning literature on climate change and its impacts. Although climate change is still being debated in certain political, social and economic quarters, there is overwhelming and undeniable scientific evidence supporting climate change. Climate change impacts virtually every facet of society — scientific, technological, environmental, ecological, social, cultural, economic, and political. As a result, strategies for mitigating the impacts and adapting to climate change must be broad and integrated. Some of the impacts stem from the chain reactions in the earth system. Therefore, the socio-economic dimension should be an integral part of climate change discussion. Current literature on climate change is less than balanced among domains of scientific and human thought. This would probably change in the future, since the adaptation strategies are becoming an increasing concern in the scientific community. This article examines the impacts caused by climate change on the hydrologic cycle and discusses their repercussions for the society. It also provides suggestions that may be relevant for redefining policies aiming to improve water security at local and global levels.

Should we attribute all natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, extreme rainfall, extreme snowfall, glacial melting, changes in space-time distribution of rainfall, changes in ecosystems, earthquakes, fire hazards, hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, heat waves, extreme cold weather, wind storms and health epidemics, to climate change? This question often comes up when we review the burgeoning literature on climate change and its impacts. Although climate change is still being debated in certain political, social and economic quarters, there is overwhelming and undeniable scientific evidence supporting climate change. Climate change impacts virtually every facet of society — scientific, technological, environmental, ecological, social, cultural, economic, and political. As a result, strategies for mitigating the impacts and adapting to climate change must be broad and integrated. Some of the impacts stem from the chain reactions in the earth system. Therefore, the socio-economic dimension should be an integral part of climate change discussion. Current literature on climate change is less than balanced among domains of scientific and human thought. This would probably change in the future, since the adaptation strategies are becoming an increasing concern in the scientific community. This article examines the impacts caused by climate change on the hydrologic cycle and discusses their repercussions for the society. It also provides suggestions that may be relevant for redefining policies aiming to improve water security at local and global levels.

Ocean conservation boosts climate change mitigation and adaptation

Changes in rainfall patterns, humidity, and temperature, as well as greater exposure to severe weather events, has led to the need for adapting cultural heritage to climate change. However, there is limited research accomplished to date on the process of adaptation of cultural heritage to climate change. This paper examines the perceptions of experts involved in the management and preservation of cultural heritage on adaptation to climate change risks. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from the UK, Italy, and Norway as well as a participatory workshop with stakeholders. The results indicate that the majority of interviewees believe that adaptation of cultural heritage to climate change is possible. Opportunities for, barriers to, and requirements for adapting cultural heritage to climate change, as perceived by the interviewees, provided a better understanding of what needs to be provided and prioritized for adaptation to take place and in its strategic planning. Knowledge of management methodologies incorporating climate change impacts by the interviewees together with best practice examples in adapting cultural heritage to climate change are also reported. Finally, the interviewees identified the determinant factors for the implementation of climate change adaptation. This paper highlights the need for more research on this topic and the identification and dissemination of practical solutions and tools for the incorporation of climate change adaptation in the preservation and management of cultural heritage.

Introduction: Climate change will very likely increase the frequency and severity of heat waves. Episodes of unprecedented heat waves have been recorded in Adelaide in recent years. This paper uses the mental model approach to explore the community’s understanding of the consequences associated with heat waves, their understanding about human vulnerability to heat waves as well the concerns and emotional responses associated with heat waves. Methods: In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted among a convenience sample of 14 residents in Adelaide between December 2011 and January 2012 by telephone. Informed consent was obtained and interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed according to themes. Results: Overall, participants had an informed understanding about the effects of heat waves although there exited differences in knowledge and understanding among participants. The study found that participants associated heat waves with skin cancer, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, disruption in social life and psychological impacts such as stress, tiredness, depression, sleeplessness, moodiness which could affect their mental health and well-being. Emotional responses associated with heat waves reported by participants included fear, worry and anxiety. The study found that during a heat wave, participants are concern about the safety of their grandparents, pets, garden, health and fitness, agricultural productivity and the threat of wildfires. Conclusion: Participants had a somewhat good understanding of heat waves, but the use of mental models assisted in identifying knowledge gaps which would inform the development of education programmes about heat waves for the community. There is also need for social services to be strengthened in order to provide support to vulnerable groups during periods of heat waves.