Climate change and human security in Africa

Climate change poses a major threat to human security and poverty in Africa. In Africa, where livelihoods are mainly based on climate-dependent resources and environment, the effect of climate change will be disproportionate and severe. Moreover, Africa's capacity to adapt to and cope with the adverse effects of climate variability is generally weak. This article discusses how climate change affects human security in Africa. It also assesses the policy options available to policymakers in terms of mitigation and adaptation to climate change to reduce vulnerability and human insecurity in Africa.     

Modelling global-scale potential grassland changes in spatio-temporal patterns to global climate change

Grassland is one of the most widespread vegetation types worldwide and plays a significant role in global carbon cycling. Understanding the sensitivity of grassland to climate change and the effect of climate changes on the grassland ecosystems is a key issue in global carbon cycling. One of the goals of this study was to evaluate the three net primary productivity (NPP)–climate models, i.e. the Miami model, the Schuur model and the classification indices-based model. Results indicated that the classification indices-based model was the most effective model at estimating large-scale grassland NPP. In this research, changes in the spatial pattern of global potential grassland from recent past (1950–2000) to future (2001–2050) A2a scenario were analysed with the integrated orderly classification system of grassland (IOCSG) approach in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. NPP was evaluated with the classification indices-based model. Results indicate that under recent past climatic conditions, the main parts of global grassland are the savanna and tundra and alpine grassland and will be converted into the savanna, steppe and semi-desert grassland in A2a scenario. As a whole, areas of grassland will increase by 31.76 million hectares. The classification indices-based model estimated a 12.40% increase of total NPP in grassland from recent past to A2a scenario. It will impose a new issue for future grassland researches to support sustainable development and to provide action relevant knowledge to meet the challenge of climate change.     

近50年青海省气候变化特征及其与ENSO的关系

厄尔尼诺-南方涛动(ENSO)常引起大气环流的改变并导致气候的异常变动。研究区域气候变化与ENSO之间的相互关系,有助于了解区域水文等各要素的变化。文章基于1960—2010年青海省29个气象站点的降水、气温数据与表征ENSO的热带太平洋海表温度距平(SSTA)和南方涛动指数(SOI)资料,通过气候倾向率、Mann-Kendall突变检验、相关性检验和小波分析等方法,研究了1960—2010年青海省降水和气温的变化特征及其与ENSO的关系。结果表明,1960—2010年青海省气候趋向暖湿,且这种趋势在90年代后愈加显著。在整个时间段内,气候变化尤其是降水变化与ENSO有显著的关系。在ENSO的冷暖事件时间段内,青海省的降水与气温都与海表温度、南方涛动指数有显著的相关性。由小波分析得出,降水和气温可能都受海表温度的影响较大;ENSO事件对青海省气温变化的影响大于对青海降水的影响。     

Probabilistic cost‐benefit analysis of disaster risk management in a development context

Limited studies have shown that disaster risk management (DRM) can be cost‐efficient in a development context. Cost–benefit analysis (CBA) is an evaluation tool to analyse economic efficiency. This research introduces quantitative, stochastic CBA frameworks and applies them in case studies of flood and drought risk reduction in India and Pakistan, while also incorporating projected climate change impacts. DRM interventions are shown to be economically efficient, with integrated approaches more cost‐effective and robust than singular interventions. The paper highlights that CBA can be a useful tool if certain issues are considered properly, including: complexities in estimating risk; data dependency of results; negative effects of interventions; and distributional aspects. The design and process of CBA must take into account specific objectives, available information, resources, and the perceptions and needs of stakeholders as transparently as possible. Intervention design and uncertainties should be qualified through dialogue, indicating that process is as important as numerical results.     

Climate forecasts in disaster management: Red Cross flood operations in West Africa, 2008

In 2008, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) used a seasonal forecast for West Africa for the first time to implement an Early Warning, Early Action strategy for enhanced flood preparedness and response. Interviews with disaster managers suggest that this approach improved their capacity and response. Relief supplies reached flood victims within days, as opposed to weeks in previous years, thereby preventing further loss of life, illness, and setbacks to livelihoods, as well as augmenting the efficiency of resource use. This case demonstrates the potential benefits to be realised from the use of medium‐to‐long‐range forecasts in disaster management, especially in the context of potential increases in extreme weather and climate‐related events due to climate variability and change. However, harnessing the full potential of these forecasts will require continued effort and collaboration among disaster managers, climate service providers, and major humanitarian donors.     

Stimulating flood damage mitigation through insurance: an assessment of the French CatNat system

Flood risk has increased in France in the last 20 years and is projected to increase further in the future due to climate change and increase in exposure. Since 1982, France has had a natural disasters insurance system (‘CatNat’) in place that covers flood damage. This insurance system has been combined with what are called ‘Risk Prevention Plans’ (PPRs) in order to stimulate the undertaking of flood risk mitigation measures by communities and households. However, these schemes do not provide optimal incentives for flood damage reduction. This is confirmed by the results from a survey about flood preparedness of 885 households who live in flood-prone areas in France, which are presented in this paper. Moreover, this study provides suggestions for improvement, which are assessed on their potential economic, social and political implications. Among these suggestions are increasing the effectiveness of PPRs and increasing the incentives to apply and implement PPRs; improving the monitoring of the implementation of damage mitigation measures; and the possibility to differentiate premiums and deductibles according to flood risk.     

Foreignness as a constraint on learning: The impact of migrants on disaster resilience in small islands

Knowledge about natural hazard management has increased significantly since Gilbert White's seminal research in 1945, yet people are still badly affected by natural hazards. A key question remains in natural hazards research: why, when all the conditions for effective disaster risk reduction are in place, do some people not take action to reduce their risk of harm? Through a questionnaire-based study we investigated the motivating factors that led residents of the Cayman Islands to prepare for annual tropical cyclones (hurricanes). Factors that increase the likelihood of individuals preparing for hurricanes are: previous experience of major storms, having linking networks and ties, having a child under the age of 15 in the home, and residency status—expatriate residents are less likely to prepare. Factors that appear to prevent adaptive behaviour include: living close to or adjacent to the coast, recent migration to the islands, and living in rented accommodation. The findings of the survey confirm that even within societies that are well prepared for tropical cyclones, there are still sub-groups who do not engage with the preparedness process. In the case of the Cayman Islands, new migrants are the most vulnerable to tropical cyclones as they tend to fall into the demographic groups least likely to prepare for cyclones, live in locations with high levels of exposure to cyclone impacts, and interact mostly with other expatriates with no previous experience of cyclone impacts. As climate change promises to bring an increasing intensity of tropical cyclones, these findings have relevance for all islands which draw on migrant workers to support economic growth.     

广东省自然物候对气候变暖的响应

利用广东省气象观测网14个观测站点1982年以来自然物候观测资料和气温资料,对广东省近30年木本植物木棉、苦楝和动物蚱蝉物候在气候变暖过程中的变化进行分析。结果表明：近30年广东省木本植物、动物春季物候期明显提前,植物、动物春季物候期的提前与推迟对温度的上升与下降的响应是非线性的。木本植物春季物候期、动物春季物候期分别与2—3月平均温度、3—4月平均温度有明显的负相关。动物春季物候期与物候期间〉10℃有效积温也有明显的负相关。预估到2020年我省木本植物春季物候期、动物春季物候期将分别提前2.9、2.2 d。     

1982-2006年华北植被覆盖变化及其与气候变化的关系

利用1982-2006年GIMMSNDVI数据反映华北地区植被覆盖变化状况,结合1982--2006年该地区85个气象站点的气温和降水数据,分别从年际变化、季节变化和月变化三个时间尺度分析华北地区植被覆盖变化及其与气候变化的关系。结果表明,从年际变化来看,华北植被变化与气温变化关系较与降水关系密切;从季节变化来看,华北地区植被生长在不同季节对水热条件变化的响应不同,春季和秋季植被生长与气温的关系较与降水的关系密切,而夏季植被生长主要受降水的影响;从月变化来看,4月和5月植被变化受气温变化影响较明显,一定程度上说明4月和5月植被生长的NDVI值增加可能是由于气候变暖引起的植被生长季提前产生的;6-9月植被生长与前2个月降水变化关系密切,说明植被生长对降水变化具有一定的滞后性。