Address Climate Change Issues Research Articles

Assessing climate change adaptation progress in Canada's protected areas

Climate change represents a new era for protected areas and biodiversity conservation. With the redistribution of species and unparalleled declines in biodiversity, business‐as‐usual practices are unlikely to be effective. Despite progress on many facets of establishing, protecting, and managing protected areas over the past century, some of which may help to lessen or slow the impacts of climate change on biodiversity, more targeted efforts need to be developed and implemented to address growing climate challenges. To assess progress on climate change adaptation, a survey was distributed to provincial, territorial, and federal governments as well as environmental non‐governmental organizations working in conservation in Canada (n = 49). Findings indicate that little progress has been made on adaptation in Canada's protected areas sector over the past decade, despite greater certainty about the impacts of climate change. Differences in monitoring, adaptation strategies, and key barriers exist across organizations. Importantly, the majority of organizations continue to report they lack capacity to address climate change issues affecting protected areas and face persistent barriers to implementing adaptation strategies. Recommendations to increase adaptation include enhancing knowledge mobilization, implementing a national adaptation strategy, and developing more flexible conservation objectives.

Las energías renovables en España

Las energías renovables se han convertido durante los últimos años en un sector de gran dinamismo en España. A la necesidad de aplicar las Directivas europeas para hacer frente a la problemática del cambio climático, se le han unido las exigencias de mejorar la eficiencia energética así como la de disminuir la dependencia del exterior.En este artículo se analizan las claves de este proceso, poniendo en evidencia tanto los factores que han posibilitado el rápido crecimiento de algunas tecnologías (eólica y solar preferentemente), como las limitaciones impuestas tanto por los procesos de consolidación presupuestaria como por el crecimiento acelerado de algunas de ellas.

Concerns about climate change among rural residents in Australia

Abstract Climate change impacts human health and there is growing recognition of the explicit consequences for mental health and wellbeing. Rural communities are recognised as one of the most vulnerable populations to climate change. The majority of research to date is quantitative and has a focus on farmers specifically, with the impacts of climate change on the wider rural community considered to a lesser extent. Our study addresses this gap by analyzing qualitative data from the Australian Rural Mental Health Study (ARMHS), a longitudinal study conducted in non-metropolitan New South Wales (NSW), Australia, during the Millennium Drought. Free text responses from 823 participants to the open-ended question “What is your biggest concern about climate change?” were analysed to determine what the qualitative data from ARMHS reveals about the mental health and wellbeing of rural communities. Four themes were identified: (i) suffering under climate change; (ii) causes of climate change; (iii) extremes of climate change; and (iv) leadership and action to address climate change. The environmental, financial, health and social impacts of climate change were of greatest concern to rural residents. Many participants also had concerns relating to climate change attribution, with many believing climate change was a natural, cyclical process not caused by human actions. Other major concerns were the financial consequences of extreme events and the adequate communication of climate change information. Analysis of qualitative data such as that presented here gives context and breadth of understanding to issues identified via quantitative analysis. Importantly, insights emerging from qualitative data, and the personal/community context that is not always available from quantitative data, can lead to more informed community-based approaches to addressing climate change issues experienced by vulnerable populations.

Klimatske promene - povećani rizici i neophodnost prilagođavanja

This paper will examine the relationship between the effects of climate change and the need to develop different aspects of insurance. Series of measures that various insurers and experts have taken in an effort to adjust their businesses to new circumstances evidence that insurance industry has already become interested and active in addressing climate change issues. Given that this is a global challenge, the author highlights the necessity for the broadest possible circle of financial and other actors to recognise the risk of growing unpredictability as one of the rare patterns to be reckoned with in the context of changing climate. The paper indicates that international actors, governments, and business entities will need to work together to create a framework that will be more poised for different climate circumstances, and additionally encourage and stimulate individuals to give their appropriate contribution and protect themselves, their property and environment from the consequences of this global phenomenon.

Assessing the local perception of climate change in a small island: a case study

The effects of climate change are global, but small islands are among the most vulnerable places. Local populations on small islands might have a ground-based perspective of the impacts that threaten them. This study was undertaken on Corvo (Azores), where 34% of the residents of both genders and different education levels were surveyed. Here, their understanding of climate change and their perception of its local impacts, the sense of risk, the local areas at risk, the willingness to propose mitigation and adaptation strategies, and the knowledge of regional procedures was analysed. Education played a crucial role in local understanding. The general perception was that the regional policies were insufficient to address climate change issues at the local level. This fact points out that the efforts to mitigate climate change impacts, and the public participation procedures for supporting policy-making, must be significantly increased and improved, in order to reach a real impact on local island communities.

Assessing the local perception of climate change in a small island: a case study

The effects of climate change are global, but small islands are among the most vulnerable places. Local populations on small islands might have a ground-based perspective of the impacts that threaten them. This study was undertaken on Corvo (Azores), where 34% of the residents of both genders and different education levels were surveyed. Here, their understanding of climate change and their perception of its local impacts, the sense of risk, the local areas at risk, the willingness to propose mitigation and adaptation strategies, and the knowledge of regional procedures was analysed. Education played a crucial role in local understanding. The general perception was that the regional policies were insufficient to address climate change issues at the local level. This fact points out that the efforts to mitigate climate change impacts, and the public participation procedures for supporting policy-making, must be significantly increased and improved, in order to reach a real impact on local island communities.

航空輸送事業の気候変動対策とグローバル・セクター・アプローチ : ポスト京都議定書へ向けた自主的取り組みの可能性

航空輸送事業の気候変動対策とグローバル・セクター・アプローチ : ポスト京都議定書へ向けた自主的取り組みの可能性

“BashudaivaKutumbakkam”- The entire world is our home and all living beings are our relatives. Why we need to worry about climate change, with reference to pollution problems in the major cities of India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Getting the Climate Science Facts Right - discusses climate change science with reference to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Addressing climate change is the most important public priority of the 21st Century. Unlike many issues, however, this issue is being driven by both science and its interface with politics. The main institution for bridging this division between science and international politics is the IPCC. As such it is the main source of the facts from which climate change policy is developed. This book describes the ways in which the IPCC arrives at these facts and so can be sure they are complete and evidence based. Seldom in history has science had such a direct relationship with politics. The negotiation of an international policy regime requires, at its outset, an agreement on the facts. In this case, the facts are scientific, complex and contentious. Governments have recognized this and have, by using the IPCC, set up institutional machinery to provide facts from a source and in a manner that they can accept. The way in which the IPCC functions is unique in that it melds the way in which science achieves consensus with the way governments do at the international level. Starting with a process to examine, review and debate scientific findings leading to a consensus about scientific fact, usually expressed as probabilities that the findings will hold over time, the IPCC then concludes by using the kind of consensus-development mechanism that the United Nations typically uses to achieve agreements leading to the formation of policy regimes. The book examines the structure of the IPCC, its composition and its procedures in order to achieve an understanding of its role and future. This book addresses how climate change science was developed; how climate change impacts have been analyzed by various scholars, agencies, and other stakeholders; what roles international, nongovernmental and governmental organizations play in addressing climate change issues. The book incorporates climate change deniers’ arguments and counter arguments. It also does not shy away from some problematic results (for example the immature data interpretation of IPCC, particularly in its 2007 report). Finally, the book also presents a case study of climate change impacts, including air, water and soil pollution, in major South Asian cities.

Climate Change for Sustainable Development: The Imperative of Indigenous Language Approach as a Remedy

Human activities have continued to increase the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases resulting in additional warming of the earth’s surface and the general atmosphere. One of the major threats to the global order in the present century is climate change. Climate change is one of the most important menaces to earth’s biodiversity, natural resources, poverty eradication etc., posing a threat to livelihoods and poverty reduction. The abounding evidence of global climate change can no longer be ignored. There is therefore the need to reinforce the management of risk as well as proactive actions in addressing climate change issues. Considering the negative impact of the menace of climate change on development, the ecosystem and mankind, this work appraises those measures put in place to checkmate the rising tide of greenhouse gas emission. To this end, this paper will study Nigeria’s environmental legal framework which will enable Nigeria’s ecosystem to naturally adapt to climate change that will lead to sustainable economic development. This paper found that Nigeria is ill-prepared to combat the challenges of climate change. Existing legal and institutional frameworks for the regulation of climate change in Nigeria are in fragmented forms while laws and implementation strategies for environmental protection concerning climate change in Nigeria are incoherent. This paper also found that there are no effective infrastructures to monitor and enforce climate change issues and that indigenous people are not well acquainted with the threats posed by climate change as a result of lack of effective communication posed by language barrier. This poses a challenge to the slogan of “acting for the long-term in a short-term world.” This paper concludes that there is an urgent need for a comprehensive framework that will create adequate awareness of the challenges of climate change, inclusively, to ensure proper understanding of citizens, so as to effectively regulate climate change in Nigeria. Hence, the indigenous language approach of this paper.

Green Leadership as an Emerging Style for Addressing Climate Change Issues in Schools

This paper attempts to investigate the concept of green leadership towards creating a greener environment through addressing issues of climate change and global warming. This initiative has been undertaken because principals take on a leading role in climate change education. As such an exploratory study was undertaken aimed at eliciting the views of principals about climate concepts and their opinions about green leadership. A survey using Likert type scale was implemented and the data was analysed using SPSS according to the survey methods conventions. Current work also consists of a thorough meta-analysis on available research in form of literature review in pertinent field. Findings reveal that the efforts taken by school principals are appreciable but a lot more can be done by them. Likewise, there is advisement for principles as to how they can undertake eco-friendly drives and become effective green leaders. This paper provides opportunities for reflection for curriculum developers and teacher educators and it hopes to encourage dialogue among policy makers, educators, stakeholders and also provides a solid platform for further research.

External pressure influence on entrepreneurship performance of SMEs: a case study of Malaysian herbal industry

Activities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have contributed significantly to environmental degradation that causes a disastrous effect on us and our future generation. Considering this, sustainable entrepreneurship practice has been promoted as a resolution of ecological problems capable of addressing climate change issues, public health, and safety concerns, and has become critical for competing in international markets. Literature shows that external pressure provides the impetus for SMEs to achieve a competitive advantage regarding turnover, customer attraction, and market share. This article investigates the standpoints of small and medium-sized businesses under the influence of external pressure on entrepreneurial activities within business dynamics. 300 herbal-based SMEs were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation model. The results show that external pressure has a positive direct effect on entrepreneurship practices, it also indicates that strategic sustainability orientation provides a form of differentiation among the SMEs. This study suggests that SMEs that seek competitive advantage should resolve their challenges by responding positively to environmental pressure through sustainability. This study contributes to sustainability literature based on incorporation of institutional and strategic orientation theories in entrepreneurship framework.

The Evolving Role of Environmental Rights in Climate Change Litigation

AbstractLitigation raising climate change issues has increased in the number and types of cases across a growing number of national and international jurisdictions. An emergent trend is litigation that invokes particular legal rights to address climate change issues. Referred to collectively in this article as ‘environmental rights,’ these include rights established under the public trust doctrine, as well as within the realms of constitutional and human rights, including the right to life and right to a quality environment. This article surveys the development of climate change litigation—in various jurisdictions around the world—in which parties have sought to invoke these environmental rights. In addition to examining how climate change litigation has adapted rights-based claims made in earlier, more traditional litigation, this article reviews recent significant cases and examines how this growing body of case law is contributing to an expansion in the content of fundamental rights in the climate change context.

A modified serine cycle in Escherichia coli coverts methanol and CO2 to two-carbon compounds

Microbial utilization of renewable one-carbon compounds, such as methane, methanol, formic acid, and CO2, has emerged as a potential approach to increase the range of carbon sources for bioproduction and address climate change issues. Here, we modify the natural serine cycle present in methylotrophs and build an adapted pathway for Escherichia coli, which allows microorganism to condense methanol (or formate) together with bicarbonate to produce various products. We introduce the modified cycle into E. coli and demonstrate its capability for one-carbon assimilation through growth complementation and isotope labeling experiments. We also demonstrate conversion of methanol to ethanol by utilizing the modified serine cycle in an engineered E. coli strain, achieving a reaction yet to be accomplished by a one-pot chemical process. This work provides a platform to utilize various renewable one-carbon compounds as carbon sources for biosynthesis through a modified serine cycle in E. coli.

Climate change adaptation in Tanjung Mas – Semarang: a comparison between male- and female-headed households

Mainly due to its complexity, the effort to mainstream gender in addressing climate change issues has been far from the satisfying result. However, there is an urgent call to accommodate gender lens issues and to become more gender sensitive in an attempt to have an effective intervention in responding climate change impact. To enrich the reports on gender and climate change adaptation in city-based case, this paper aims to elaborate climate change adaptation in Tanjung Mas – Semarang city focusing on the gender perspective analysis in male- and female-headed households. The quantitative descriptive method is applied to carry out the analyses, including adaptive strategy and gender role analyses. The research result indicates there are not any significant differences in the climate change adaptation strategies applied in male- and female-headed households. This shows that women in the female-headed households, with their double burden, performed well in managing their roles. Therefore, in particular perspective, it may not be relevant to state that woman and female-headed households are likely to be more vulnerable compared with their counterparts.

Building Capacity within Extension to Address Animal Agriculture in a Changing Climate

The Animal Agriculture in a Changing Climate project was formed to build capacity among Extension professionals and other livestock advisors to address climate change issues. We offer a case study of how a small team can build national capacity for new topics. We used a coordinated multiregional approach to leverage national efforts applied to locally relevant climatology, production systems, and climate issues. Key insights on overcoming challenges centered on (a) engaging audiences with local, historical trends and agricultural impacts, (b) beginning with adaptation, rather than mitigation of climate change, and (c) providing strategies for effectively communicating science during controversy. Program participants found the project valuable and substantially increased their ability and motivation to apply climate science.

Prevention, mitigation and adaptation to climate change from perspectives of urban population in an emerging economy

Abstract This paper discusses the current knowledge and opinions of urban population in a city of a country that it is recognized with greater vulnerability to climate change, as it is Bogota the main city of Colombia. It is important to analyse the opinion of the urban population on climate change, taking into account that in the next years cities will be vulnerable and affected by this phenomenon. This research uses a survey that determine the knowledge, causes and effects of climate change, as well as measurements and information that are required to address climate change issues more fully. The main results suggest that the Bogota's respondents have heard about climate change and all consider that this phenomenon is a reality. The main effects of climate change according to respondents are droughts and floods, with consequences for health and water, energy and food availability. Moreover, the respondents consider the design and application of adequate measurements that allow adaptation and mitigation to climate change important. The findings of this study are significant for awareness at all levels of urban society of the activities and programs that allow for sustainable development in consideration of climate change.

Smallholder farmers’ participation in climate change adaptation programmes: understanding preferences in Nepal

ABSTRACTGlobally, adaptation policies and programmes are being formulated to address climate change issues. However, in the agricultural sector, and particularly in least developed countries (LDCs), concerns remain as to whether these policies and programmes are consistent with farmers’ preferences. This study empirically investigates Nepalese farmers’ willingness to support the implementation of adaptation programmes. To this end, we first developed suggested adaptation programmes in accordance with the adaptation measures identified by LDCs in their National Adaptation Programmes of Actions. We then employed a choice experiment framework to estimate farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for adaptation benefits. The findings indicate that the substantial benefits of the adaptation programmes for farmers result in a sizeable WTP to participate, which would appear to justify the programmes’ widespread implementation.Key policy insightsFarmers are willing to participate in, and contribute to, the suggested adaptation programmes in the form of increased access to climate adaptive crop species and varieties, improved soil quality and irrigation and the provision of training in climate adaptive farming.Key socio-economic factors influence farmers’ support of adaptation programmes. Older farmers, those households closer to government extension services, larger land holders, those involved in household labour exchange, farmers located in drought and flood-prone regions and those who perceive that the climate has changed are more likely to participate.The more farmers are aware of climate change impacts, the greater their preference for adaptation programmes. Increasing farmer awareness prior to implementation of such programmes is therefore an obvious means of further raising participation rates.

Acouscenic Listening and Creative Soundwalks: Evoking Memory and Narratives through Soundscape Exploration

Sound art is at the vanguard of contemporary creative practices seeking to establish a platform for meaningful debate on a range of accelerating global environmental crises. This paper explores how the Softday art/science collaboration moved from exploring histories of the natural world in the epoch of the Anthropocene, while engaging in a continuum of public and politicized contestations addressing climate change issues, to a participatory sound art practice that that we call Acouscenic Listening and Creative Soundwalks, which may help to develop a novel frame of understanding of the world.

Energy Demand Reduction in the Residential Building Sector: A Case Study of Korea

This study sought to examine ways of reducing energy demands in the residential building sector by measuring energy usage and associated factors in Bundang District. This District represents the first phase of new towns in the Seoul metropolitan region to implement current polices directed at climate change. The majority of residential buildings in this district were constructed between 1991 and 1995, prior to the announcement of the integrated building design criteria directed at saving energy and intensifying thermal transmittance. The proportion of small households was increased by almost 40% from 2000 to 2010. Further, a number of weather records have been broken in the last two decades. These changes are strongly related to energy consumption patterns and trends; however, current polices, acts, and regulations do not sufficiently address these issues. This study suggests building energy-saving strategies that: (i) improve energy performance in existing buildings; (ii) strengthen building design criteria to address climate change issues, especially in relation to design and construction; and (iii) offer a framework to revitalize Korea’s energy-savings policies.

Induced earthquakes in the development of unconventional energy resources

It has long been known that human activities such as waste fluid disposal and reservoir impoundment may cause earthquakes. Recently, anthropogenic activities to tackle the increasing energy demand and to address climate change issues are also reported to induce earthquakes. These activities have a common attribute in that fluids are injected and extracted underground and induce spatiotemporal changes of pore pressure and stress, which may cause slip on faults. Induced earthquakes not only pose significant impacts on seismic hazard assessment and preparation, but also raise the question to the society as how to balance the economic needs of resources development and the public’s concerns about potential environmental impacts. Here we review the observations of fluid-injection/extraction induced earthquakes, ground deformation associated with these activities, and their physical mechanisms. Furthermore, we discuss the influences of induced earthquakes on seismic hazard models, regulatory policies on these anthropogenic activities, and current development of academic, industrial and government initiatives and collaborations in order to understand this intriguing phenomenon and address associated challenges.