This paper presents the results of an empirical study of the impacts of recurring droughts on indigenous communities in semi-arid districts of western India. It examines the root causes of drought in this region, indigenous peoples’ perceptions of drought-related vulnerabilities in relation to climate change and relevant action...

The International Water Management Institute(IWMI), a member of the Consultative Group onInternational Agricultural Research (CGIAR), hasreleased a brief examining water management in SriLanka and identifying climate change as a possibleexacerbating factor. The paper relates that demandfor water may outstrip supply in the Dry Zone of Sri...

There is growing concern about the potential effects of climate change on the socioeconomic characteristics and natural resources of the Lower Mekong Basin. As a result there is a need for a more understanding of the potential impacts from climate change. In response, the Mekong River Commission (MRC)...

Climate change is a reality, although its specific impacts in various parts of the world are unknown. In addition to the long-term effort of curbing greenhouse gas emissions, it will be essential to be prepared for shorter-term changes. Adaptation to climate change will be a major challenge...

The changing environment is expected to intensify the challenges that people in developing countries are facing, particularly among the groups whose livelihoods depend on natural resources. The adaptive capacity of livelihoods largely defines the extent to which people can cope with future environmental changes, whether caused by climate...

Policy and investment decisions can have implications that extend beyond their initial objective. Local decisions that aim to promote trajectories towards desirable futures at the local scale can alter factors that are determined at higher regional scales. Alterations of regional factors can create feedbacks influencing the characteristics of initial...

Climate change poses a serious threat to Central Asia’s environmental and socio-economic systems, particularly because of the arid nature of the region. Future warming will have a greater impact on the local seasonal weather patterns and precipitation regimes, affecting natural ecosystems, agricultural practices and human...

Executive Summary Due to its already precarious climatic situation, which is characterized by scant precipitation, widespread aridity, highly continental conditions, and unevenly distributed resources, the Central Asian region is particularly threatened by climate change, which will exacerbate the already difficult situation. Adaptation is defined as...

South Asia consists of eight nations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The uniqueness of the region lies in its intrinsic diversity in terms of ecological conditions and landscapes ranging from lofty mountains and deserts to long coastlines and island nations....

Adaptation has been viewed from various angles over time. Different definitions carry with them different emphases. The IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) defines adaptation as the “adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates...