'Global warming' is one of the hotly debated topics which grabbed the attention of the government and other people all over the world. This article offers a critique of the Stern Report, Global ...Circulation Models (GCM) and developments at the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)., ‘Global warming’ is one of the hotly debated topics which grabbed the attention of the government and other people all over the world. This article offers a critique of the Stern Report, Global Circulation Models (GCM) and developments at the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
This chapter describes the condition of air quality, based on air pollutant concentrations, i.e. criteria pollutants, in airsheds around the world, as well as certain air toxics in urban areas and ...hot spots. The variability of pollutant concentrations in space and time are discussed, as well as differences in air pollution between more industrialized and economically developed regions vs developing nations. The status and trends of atmospheric concentrations of tropospheric ozone, oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, carbon monoxide, lead, and particulate matter are discussed. Examples of air toxics include benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, aldehydes, and metals, e.g. mercury. Regional and global trends include acid deposition, depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, and climate change. Indoor air quality is discussed. The chapter concludes with a description of an air quality index.
This report presents the water and climate adaptation plan (WATCAP) developed for the Sava river basin (SRB) as result of a study undertaken by the World Bank. The WATCAP is intended to help to ...bridge the gap between the climate change predictions for the SRB and the decision makers in current and planned water management investment projects that will be affected by changing climate trends. The purpose of the report is to: (i) assist stakeholders and decision makers in assessing and planning for the risks generated by climate change impacts on water resources; (ii) provide a basis for future plans and studies of adaptation to climate change impacts in the SRB; and (iii) stimulate cooperation and debate across the basin toward additional and more detailed studies on climate change impacts at the regional and basin scale. The SRB is projected to experience small increases in water use by the public water supply, industry, energy, and agricultural and irrigation sectors. However, it is widely expected that new hydropower plants (HPPs) will be constructed in the near future, making energy (primarily through hydropower) the most important water use in the SRB.
This report presents the water and climate adaptation plan (WATCAP) developed for the Sava river basin (SRB) as result of a study undertaken by the World Bank. The WATCAP is intended to help to ...bridge the gap between the climate change predictions for the SRB and the decision makers in current and planned water management investment projects that will be affected by changing climate trends. The purpose of the report is to: (i) assist stakeholders and decision makers in assessing and planning for the risks generated by climate change impacts on water resources; (ii) provide a basis for future plans and studies of adaptation to climate change impacts in the SRB; and (iii) stimulate cooperation and debate across the basin toward additional and more detailed studies on climate change impacts at the regional and basin scale. The SRB is projected to experience small increases in water use by the public water supply, industry, energy, and agricultural and irrigation sectors. However, it is widely expected that new hydropower plants (HPPs) will be constructed in the near future, making energy (primarily through hydropower) the most important water use in the SRB.
Global warming evident through climate change is large owing to various polluting activities indulged by man. Although carbon dioxide levels are higher today than a hundred years ago, it is argued ...that it is necessary to remember that in the late 1960s and early 1970s there were warnings about an approaching ice age due to effects of global cooling, and in some cases by the same people who are warning of global warming today.
This discussion paper summarizes observed and projected trends in extreme weather events, present-day climate variability, and future climate change and their impacts on China's different regions. ...Findings are presented from China's national assessment report on climate change (2007) and second national assessment report on climate change (2011) as well as other studies by Chinese and international experts. In addition to reviewing the physical climate science, the paper also looks at trends in economic damages in China from weather related hazards. The paper serves as background for a series of discussion papers on climate risk management and adaptation in China. The growing body of scientific evidence shows that China's climate is indeed changing, especially when climate is viewed at the regional level. Temperatures are rising, precipitation regimes are changing, and shifts have occurred in the distribution of extreme weather events. The effects of extreme weather events, present-day climate variability, and future climate change cut across many different sectors of China's economy. China's government estimates that direct economic losses from extreme weather events cost the country 1 to 3 percent of gross domestic product each year. As China's economy continues to grow, its exposure to weather-related hazards is expected to heighten, especially without policies to limit building in hazardous areas such as floodplains and alleviate non-climate pressures such as overuse of freshwater resources. Effective risk management policies and investments are crucial to reducing the sensitivity and increasing the resilience of the country to extreme weather, climate variability, and long-term climate change.
It is now widely recognized that low-income countries in tropical and sub-tropical regions will be disproportionally affected by the adverse impacts of climate change. The combination of already ...fragile environments, dominance of climate-sensitive sectors in economic activity, and low autonomous adaptive capacity in these regions implies a high vulnerability to the harmful effects of global warming on agricultural production and food security, water resources, human health, physical infrastructure and ecosystems. Recent authoritative scientific assessments emphasize that, even under the most optimistic assumptions about the success of future global mitigation action, an acceleration of adaptation efforts in developing countries over the next decades is essential to build resilience and reduce damage costs. The effects of climate change vary across countries, and adaptation and coping capabilities are influenced by geographical, economic, cultural and political factors. Successful adaptation programs must therefore take into account country-specific circumstances. This pilot study aims to develop a methodology that provides an economy-wide framework for analyzing economic impacts from climate change and potential adaptation policies that developing countries might undertake in the near and long term. To accomplish this objective, the paper modifies and extends a dynamic, single-country prototype Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model to include stochastic elements that are characteristic of climate change and a representation of the sectors that are most likely to be affected.
This volume, Berlin workshop series 2010, contains a selection of papers presented at the 11th International Policy Workshop, held in Berlin, September 28-30, 2008. The workshop was jointly organized ...by Inwent-Capacity Building International, Germany, and the World Bank in preparation for the World Bank's World Development Report 2010. It provided a forum for an exchange of ideas and viewpoints that contributed to the development of the report. The report will accordingly have six parts, each describing, explaining, or drawing lessons from the climate change that have been observed in both developed and developing countries. Part one looks at climate change as a challenge to development policy. Part two highlights the role of technological innovation and alternative energy sources in promoting sustainable development. Part three examines natural resource governance for adaptation, mitigation, and development. Part four examines the role of the private sector and nongovernmental organizations in addressing climate change. Part five explores financing mechanisms for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Part six and last addresses the capacity and governance of developing countries in mitigating climate change.
Yemen is particularly vulnerable to climate change and variability impacts because of its water dependence and current high levels of water stress. This natural resource challenge is compounded by ...demographic pressure, weak governance and institutions, and by a deteriorating economic situation. The economic and social outlook is not bright, and planning and international support will certainly be needed to help Yemen to adapt to the further stresses caused by climate change and variability. In the light of these challenges, the government has developed a National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA). In support of this, the World Bank commissioned a series of studies of climate change in two phases: the first phase projected climate change scenarios for Yemen, and phase two assessed climate change impacts on the agricultural and water sectors, and outlined possible policy and program responses. The present study is essentially a digest of the work done to date, and is intended as a contribution to Government's process of assessing vulnerability and adaptation options by: (i) assessing possible impacts on the water balance and on agriculture and rural livelihoods; and (ii) reviewing adaptation options and the priorities for government policies, strategies and investments.
This report evaluates the requirements for an assessment of climate change impacts on agriculture to guide policy makers on investment priorities and phasing. Because agriculture is vital for ...national food security and is a strong contributor to Brazil's GDP growth, there is growing concern that Brazilian agriculture is increasingly vulnerable to climate variability and change. To meet national development, food security, climate adaptation and mitigation, and trade goals over the next several decades, Brazil will need to significantly increase per area productivity of food and pasture systems while simultaneously reducing deforestation, rehabilitating millions of hectares of degraded land, and adapting to climate change. There is inadequate data to accurately model projected climate challenges facing Brazil. The report concludes that key integrated and linked interventions are needed in the short term to significantly improve currently available assessments of climate change impact on Brazilian agriculture and to guide policy makers with the priorities and phasing of needed investments.
