C LIMATE A LERT

A Publication of the Climate Institute | Protecting the balance between climate and life on Earth

Volume 20, No. 3 No. 20, Volume

— Adapting to a

Changing Climate Summer Summer 2010

Featured:

An Economic Perspective on Pro-Poor Adaptation To Climate Change

REDD and Blue: a Win-Win with Coastal Wetlands

Beyond Air Conditioning

Micro Irrigation

Also in this Issue:

Remembering Stephen Schneider CLIMATE INSTITUTE Summer 2010 Volume 20, No. 3 Climate Alert EMPOWERING POTENTIAL VICTIMS INSTEAD TO BE CLIMATE LEADERS

2010 is a year in higher CO2 levels in the seas, are on article slated for publication in Climatic which it is hard to par this year with the devastating re- Change, Seitz proposes use of micro- remain a climate sults of 1998. Our late and dearly bubbles both to reduce evaporation skeptic unless one missed Board member, Stephen and to change albedo of water bodies. is situated on an- Schneider, in an article co-authored in The only limit to climate adaptation, other planet or on the November-December 2008 Boston assuming climate change can be held Earth closeted in a Review with Stanford colleague Michael within manageable ranges, is the hu- bunker getting Mastrandrea, argued climate adapta- man imagination. A central thrust of information only tion is a crucial component of a climate the Tickell Interactive Climate Aware- from denialist blogs. The first eight response strategy. ness and Response Network being built months of the year were tied with 1998 This should be accompanied by miti- by the Climate Institute in Mexico is the as the warmest such period since gation strategies that will produce near mobilization of millions of minds to global temperature records were kept, - and medium-term perceptible results become climate problem solvers. all the more remarkable as 2010 has in limiting radiative forcing and hold- Working with Prof. Daniel Wildcat of seen onset of a La Nina event which is ing climate change to a rate within Haskell Indian Nations University, a normally associated with cooler tem- which humanity and ecosystems have a member of the Climate Institute Board peratures. Although no single weather reasonable chance of adapting. The and Convener of the American Indian event is by itself proof of climate Black Carbon Reduction Program ad- Climate Change Working Group, the change, this year is chock full of devel- vanced by the Climate Institute, follow- Institute is seeking to link the Tickell opments that seem naturals for a Holly- ing on a seminal paper by its Chief Sci- Network with the tribal college net- wood script including Los Angeles on entist for Climate Change Programs, work and Bureau of Indian Education September 27 registering 113 F, its Michael MacCracken, seeks to do this teaching faculty. In his book Red Alert: highest temperature since humans as does the Fast Track Climate Mitiga- Saving the Planet with Indigenous have kept records. In Moscow, a record tion effort advanced by Durwood Knowledge, Dan Wildcat shows how summer heat wave that coincided and Zaelke, President of Institute for Gov- this climate coping capability of indige- interacted with wildfires and bog fires ernance and Sustainable Development. nous peoples can be instructive to the doubled death rates to about 700 a day Numerous adaptation strategies are world at large. I am personally spend- and caused Russian President Dmitry available to respond to climate change. ing much of my time in New Hamp- Medvedev to state: “Unfortunately, This special issue of Climate Alert high- shire near my alma mater, Dartmouth what is happening now in our central lights a few including micro-irrigation, College, seeking to build for the Cli- regions is evidence of this global cli- described by Eric Lowe; floating gar- mate Institute a Center for Environ- mate change because we never in our dens in Bangladesh, planting of plants mental Leadership Training. This Cen- history faced such weather conditions and shrubs as in India to slow down ter would focus especially on bringing in the past … This means that we need floods and even construction of artifi- together young people ages 15-29 and to change the way we work – to change cial islands in the Pacific, all discussed the teachers who inspire them and em- the methods that we used in the past.” by Saheli Nath; and much more envi- power them to be climate problem Just as the Russian leadership, long ronmentally benign and affordable solvers. Although the initial focus will the leading skeptics within the G-8 on strategies for air conditioning ad- be climate leaders from indigenous the urgency of acting to address cli- dressed by Claire FitzGerald. Some communities, Mexico, and New Eng- mate change, has done an about face, other strategies simultaneously land, the Center seeks to develop evidence proliferates that rapid and achieve enhanced ecosystem resilience strategies that will empower young potentially disruptive change may be while realizing large-scale net emission leaders worldwide – in Kuala Lumpur, well underway and showing up over reductions as described in Bradford Manila, the Maldives and Buenos Aires much of our planet. Millions in Pakistan Crist’s article on enhancing coastal as well – to lead in climate solutions in remain homeless from the most devas- wetlands. An ingenious proposal by a way think thanks and climate nego- tating floods in that nation’s history. Harvard physicist Russell Seitz has tiators are unable to do. Climate NOAA reported that Arctic sea ice cov- emerged that might achieve large-scale change can produce enormous interna- ered an average of 2.3 million square reduction of evaporation of water sup- tional and intergenerational inequities; miles during August – 22% below the plies in reservoirs and ponds while this effort seeks to empower its poten- 1979-2000 average and the second pointing the way to what may be the tial victims to be at the forefront in lowest August sea ice extent on re- most environmentally benign form of climate response. cord. Large-scale coral bleaching and geo-engineering besides painting roofs death, attributed to warming seas and white or creating roof gardens. In an Commentary by John C. Topping, Jr.

Page 2 Climate Institute | www.climate.org Climate Alert Volume 20, No. 3

Remembering Stephen Schneider Dr. Michael MacCracken, Chief Scientist for Climate Change Programs, Climate Institute

On July 19, the nation, and indeed the mentally, the Earth sys- proud father as his two world, lost one of its clearest thinkers tem is interconnected lovely children, Becca and and communicators on the environ- through many diverse Adam, reveled in the sites mental dilemma in which we are now processes, some direct of Egypt as 40 of the merry mired. For four decades, Dr. Stephen and some indirect. While Climate Institute crew Schneider has been a leader in seeking to complex, however, re- cruised the Nile for a week better understand and communicate search has provided following the December how human activities have changed, are many insights and im- 1989 Cairo World Climate changing, and will in the future change proved understanding of Conference; some of us the climate; what this will mean for the the relative strengths, more recently had a chance environment and society; and what the timing, and range of in- to talk with him about the options are and need to be to be able to fluence of the various brave struggle he waged adapt and respond. In each of these ar- processes. Explaining by for nearly a decade with eas, Steve has engaged with enthusiasm, metaphor, as was Steve’s lymphoma. Even in the dedication, and a pursuit of the truth that wont, the Earth system most trying of times he has gained him respect and friendship is a bit like the various displayed a delicious wit from scientific colleagues, those being relationships we have, and often self-deprecating impacted by climate change, and those from family to friends to sense of humor. with the power to make a difference. colleagues, each nudging Steve devoted his life to While Steve’s education was in plasma you in a particular way, Stephen Schneider at a Climate seeking to build the base of physics, he early on decided to apply his sometimes in combina- Institute Event in 1989 scientific information and analytic talents to the challenge of under- tion, and you are integrating their inter- to help society understand the conse- standing and dealing with climate actions. Uncertainties, yes, but even in a quences of its actions and the path it is on change. Four decades ago, his early work crowd your path generally continues to so that less risky choices can be made. examined the warming influences of the move in about the same direction in re- The risks of climate change have been rising CO2 concentration versus the cool- sponse to the primary interactions, al- well recognized for more than four dec- ing influences of the sulfate aerosols that though, like the climate, you are suscepti- ades, but yet Steve was on another mis- also result from the combustion of fossil ble to a fall or erratic change if pushed sion (this one to Scandinavia) to educate fuels. The insights he gained from this too hard. and encourage action. A fitting tribute to comparison led Steve into modeling of Among Steve’s other special talents his record of devoting his last measure to the climate system. While some tried to was the ability to communicate clearly this issue would be for the US and the jump quickly to trying to represent in the with colleagues, decision makers, and the community of nations to heed his mes- models as many processes as one could public. He was a prolific writer of journal sage and to take an appropriate re- conceive, Steve’s special talent (and urg- articles, books, and assessment chapters, sponse—there is still hope if we act to- ing) was to focus intensely on the most as well as being an enthusiastic speaker, gether and quickly. Steve helped lay the important factors first, adding features to the Congress, to the public, and in pri- seeds for a very tangible step in this di- and feedbacks one at a time in order to vate conversations. Steve’s involvement rection, the Sir Crispin Tickell Climate systematically build understanding. In with the Intergovernmental Panel on Interactive Network being built by the this way, and with his early background Climate Change was longstanding and Climate Institute in Mexico. In the 1970s in physics, Steve developed a deep un- extensive, ranging from writing chapters as Crispin was on leave from the British derstanding of how the climate system to communicating with national delegates diplomatic service to study at Harvard worked and would be expected to re- about what was known and uncertain. while writing Climatic Change and World spond to human influences, from green- We at the Climate Institute have bene- Affairs Steve provided crucial scientific house warming to the smoke from a ma- fited greatly from Steve’s encouragement counsel for this seminal work. A decade jor nuclear exchange. and advice. Steve was an early partici- later he was instrumental in recruiting But understanding just the physics was pant in the Climate Institute’s activities, Sir Crispin to the Climate Institute family. not enough. Steve’s explorations also speaking at our conferences in Washing- In some modest way we hope to recog- made clear that changes in biology and ton, DC in the 1980s and early 1990s nize Steve as this Interactive Network chemistry had the potential to influence when the issue was just emerging as one unfolds in Mexico and elsewhere. At this the climate, just as changes in the climate facing policymakers. He served on our point, however, we most of all send our can affect the environment and society, Board of Directors from 1988 until the heartfelt condolences to his brave wife and interactive couplings can lead to date of his death. Many of us were fortu- and fellow scientific trailblazer, Terry feedbacks and further changes. Funda- nate to see the human side of Steve as a Root, and to Becca and Adam.

Page 3 Climate Institute | [email protected] Climate Alert An Economic Perspective on Pro-Poor Adaptation To Climate Change Saheli Nath The United Nations Development est of the poverty-stricken, are termed Program (UNDP) defines adaptation as Improvised low-cost pro- as ‘pro-poor adaptation,’ and are vital “changing existing policies and prac- poor approaches have to in reaching marginalized citizens. tices and adopting new policies and practices so as to secure Millennium be adopted... How to Finance Pro-poor Adaptation Development Goals in the face of cli- Due to the insufficient ability of peo- mate change and its associated im- tive techniques may be greater than the ple below the poverty line to construct pacts.” The ‘economics of adaptation to national budget allocated for adapta- autonomous coping mechanisms, the climate change’ is a multi-dimensional tion to climate change. The ‘adaptation financial pressure of pro-poor adapta- issue that involves the study of the funding chasm’ refers to the difference tion has to be shared among the con- relative costs and benefits of adapting between the total aggregate money cerned community, respective national to a changing climate, an governments, businesses in appreciation of the specific the private sector, non- financial limitations encoun- governmental organizations, tered by different countries international institutions, and communities in under- and developed countries taking adaptation, and an historically responsible for analysis of how these mone- greenhouse emissions. Apart tary barriers can be over- from the players who are come. From an economic responsible for addressing viewpoint, adaptation is the fiscal aspect, adaptation most efficient when the cu- also “involves the interests mulative benefits from the of numerous actors: agricul- adaptive activity exceed the ture, urban planning, water total costs of implementa- supply, tourism and recrea- tion. But even when the pro- tion, human health, etc. Al- jected benefits surpass the beit, all these sectors are estimated costs, less devel- Figure 1: Floating Gardens of Bangladesh (www.PracticalAction.org) potentially impacted– deci- oped countries (LDCs) and sions, whether to adapt or Small Island Developing States (SIDS) required for implementing proposed not, are taken at different levels, rang- are confronted with pecuniary difficul- adaptive programs and the amount of ing from individual farmers to national ties in allocating sufficient funds for money that is available under current planning services (Anantram, 2005).” adaptation, and in ensuring that aid conditions (Müller, 2008). Moreover, reaches the most vulnerable part of sources of international funding like Community-level Adaptation in Very society, namely the poor people in risk- the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Poor Regions of Bangladesh prone zones. In such instances, impro- Least Developed Countries Fund The decision to adapt can be a spon- vised low-cost pro-poor approaches (LDCF), Special Climate Change Fund taneous response from the local peo- have to be adopted, as in the case of the and Adaptation Fund do not stipulate ple. An example of innovative non- ‘floating gardens’ in Bangladesh and the amounts that developed countries traditional community-based adapta- the mangroves in Vietnam, or the inter- need to contribute, and tend to under- tion is the ‘floating gardens’ (locally national community has to act collec- estimate the costs of adaptation (Wong, called Baira) in the haors (back-swamp tively to provide a sustainable solution, 2010). Thus, at present, conventional or wetland ecosystem) of Bangladesh. as demonstrated by several European funding is not adequate for the scale of Flexible platforms made of hyacinth countries who are evaluating the feasi- actions required, and the developing float on the flood waters, and are bility of a plan to construct an artificial countries may be lacking “relevant topped with a layer of soil, on which island for the Pacific SIDS. ‘absorptive capacity’, i.e. the capacity to farmers grow crops like cauliflower, carry out the adaptation measures tomatoes and turmeric (Figure 1). The Economic Constraint to Adaptation needed, even if the funding were avail- These gardens are inexpensive and able (Müller, 2008, P.5).” In the global Many countries most severely af- easy to make, as they only require lo- context of uncertain funding, it will be fected by climate change have limited cally available materials. More impor- wise to explore low-cost sustainable monetary, technical, and research and tantly, the crops move with the flow of resilience-building strategies open to development capabilities. For these the tide and therefore are never the risk-prone poor communities. Such nations, the cost of undertaking adap- washed away; this ensures some form policies, which are enacted in the inter-

Page 4 Climate Institute | [email protected] Volume 20, No. 3 of food security for the people living in opportunities to create a strong finan- mation. But the design of environmen- the frequently inundated floodplains of cial safety net. Developing extensive tally viable artificial islands is cost- pro- Bangladesh. This project is eco- irrigation channels will protect poor hibitive and demands advanced tech- friendly, replicable, and can be easily farmers by reducing vulnerability of nology that can only be procured instituted in other parts of the world agriculture to droughts. In this respect, through technology transfers from de- that face similar challenges. Above all, the private sector can assume a more veloped nations. In this case, the states the technique is very advantageous for inclusive role by building hospitals, of Fiji, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, the extremely impoverished, who do opening schools and generating em- Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Sa- not have the means to move their ployment. The role of the private sec- moa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu homes away from the flood-prone del- tor is exemplified by microfinance in- and Vanuatu, which comprise the Pa- taic region. stitutions operating in Bangladesh, cific SIDS and have relatively small Brazil, Haiti, India and Indonesia, GDPs, can consider artificial islands as a NGO-sponsored Pro-poor Adaptation which are endeavoring to help in disas- feasible choice only if they receive com- in Vietnam ter risk reduction through poverty alle- prehensive monetary and technical viation, income generation and devel- assistance from the international com- The decision to adapt can be also be a munity. deliberate plan financed by a non- opment programs. governmental organization and backed by the national government. An excel- When the Problem of Survival Pro -poor Adaptation: Financing the lent example is the biodiversity-based Precedes Cost-effectiveness Future mangrove rehabilitation program in While it is important to understand Financing future pro-poor adaptive Vietnam that has demonstrated the the cost-benefit aspects of pro-poor activities depends on the initiatives cost-effectiveness of nature-oriented adaptation, there are several develop- taken at different levels of decision- soft defenses, and is deemed suitable ing countries for which adaptation is making. “It is not for lack of options for global applications. The Vietnam no longer an option- it is a necessity for that adaptation lags. It is lack of deter- Red Cross mangrove project, which survival. Ambassador Moses, the Chair mination, lack of cooperation and lack cost US $1.1 million, has saved US $7.3 of Pacific SIDS, Permanent Representa- of means that impede adaptation million/year in dike maintenance and tive of Nauru to the United Nations, (Leary, 2008).” These impediments to has brought additional benefits to local once commented: ``Climate change can pro-poor adaptation can be overcome families in the form of fisheries (Reid, devastate a country just as thoroughly through community level innovations 2008). Furthermore, the submerged, as an invading army.'' This is especially like the ‘floating gardens’ in Bangla- coastal mangrove forests act as buffer true for nation-states that sorely lack desh, well-planned NGO efforts sup- against the huge sea waves created by the financial capacity required to fend ported by national governments as in recurrent typhoons, protecting the off the ‘invading army.’ As a conse- the mangrove project in Vietnam, or lives of an estimated 7,750 families. quence of rise in sea-level, the Pacific through international-level coordi- The benefits of this particular project SIDS are in the danger of becoming nated action, such as the proposal to are apparent, but such deliberate re- completely submerged. With their exis- develop artificial islands to help the gion-specific pro-poor adaptive activity tence on the line, a very expensive al- Pacific SIDS. Indeed, as the age-old say- should be financed only after careful ternative available to these states is ing goes, “The best way to predict the appraisal of the cost-effectiveness of artificial island creation by land recla- future…is to create it.” proposed plans.

Determining Cost-effectiveness of Pro-poor Adaptive Activity While some adaptation projects may yield immediate benefits, for others the largest benefits will occur in the long- run, and initial high costs will decline with time (Figure 2). Too much focus on achieving immediate benefits car- ries the danger of leading to mal- adaptation or long-term negative con- sequences. To some extent, pro-poor adaptation and economic development can be integrated through improving public health amenities, increasing educational facilities and increasing job Figure 2: Initial high costs with long term benefits (Kuch and Gigli, 2007, Pg. 27)

Page 5 Climate Institute | www.climate.org Climate Alert REDD and Blue: a Win-Win with Coastal Wetlands Bradford Crist The world is losing its coastal In order to advance coastal eco- ecosystems four times faster systems on the climate change than its rainforests. In the last agenda, policy makers could 15 years alone, coastal develop- amend the Reduced Emissions ment and timber harvesting have from Deforestation and Degrada- reduced the global land area of tion (REDD) program to include sea-grass meadows and man- all coastal ecosystems, not just grove forests by more than 50 mangrove trees and terrestrial percent and salt marshlands by forests. This would engage coastal 25 percent. Simultaneously, the ecosystems in carbon offset trad- effects of global climate change– ing schemes, and ideally it would sea level rise, coastal storm set up a fund for the SIDS and surges, increased flooding, soil other oceanic countries to receive erosion, wind damage, and salt water the impacts of climate change. Man- aid from the developed world to adapt intrusion into freshwater aquifers – groves can accommodate up to one to climate change. Under the Clean threaten roughly one half of the world’s centimeter per year of sea level rise via Development Mechanism (CDM) of the population who calls the coast home. sediment entrapment and accumula- Kyoto Protocol, Annex I countries can Fortunately, coastal ecosystems can be tion of organic matter. Mangroves, meet a portion of their target commit- preserved, which will mitigate carbon marshes, and reefs provide shorelines ments by investing in emission reduc- emissions and help local communities with a first line of defense against tion projects in developing countries. adapt to climate change. storms and extreme weather events. In The 2001 Marrakesh Accords estab- Although coastal ecosystems are not spite of the devastating effects of the lished REDD, which allowed forest accounted for in most carbon cycle 2004 tsunami, the wave attenuation by preservation to qualify as CDM projects. models, they offer a vital, natural proc- kelp, mangroves, and marshes saved Coastal wetlands are not included in ess for carbon capture and sequestra- land that would have otherwise been REDD, despite discussion of expanding tion. Vegetated coastal habitats are destroyed. Sea-grasses and mangroves the proposal at the COP-15 last year. highly autotrophic, which means they also help to recharge groundwater aq- An improved REDD proposal could 1) fix CO2 to produce sugar through pho- uifers, increase the resilience of coastal expand the list of acceptable vegetation tosynthesis. Covering less than 1% of areas through alluvial plain accumula- for CDM projects to include all man- the ocean’s total surface area, coastal tion, and create a freshwater buffer to grove forests, sea-grass meadows, and wetlands naturally “sink” over 50 per- prevent saltwater intrusion into local salt marshlands; and 2) to include cent of the ocean’s organic carbon. The water tables. Coastal ecosystems offer funding for developing countries to sink capacities of salt marshes, man- a variety of important adaptation directly reduce deforestation and groves, and sea-grasses exceed the mechanisms. coastal degradation. Already there is an Amazon Rainforest by factors of 10, 6, In addition to direct adaptation to overlap between types of ecosystems – and 2 respectively. According to the climate impacts, the world’s coastal mangrove forests grow out of saltwater UN Environmental Programme, pre- ecosystems provide a host of other environments – which would favor an venting degradation and recovering adaptive benefits. Economists value expanded REDD program for coastal coastal ecosystems would offset 3 to 7 the world’s coastal ecosystems at $25 ecosystem restoration. Other strate- percent of current fossil fuel emissions trillion dollars per year because of their gies that could be explored include: in just twenty years, or more than 10 contributions to economic activity, international regulation against over- percent of reductions needed to keep natural shoreline protection, and water development in threatened coastal ar- concentrations of CO2 below 450 ppm quality maintenance. Over 2 billion eas, global funding for local wetland in the atmosphere. Preservation and people rely on mangrove and coastal restoration, and ecological mangrove restoration of coastal ecosystems is a fisheries for food security and tourism- restoration (EMR). Any policy that key component for carbon mitigation. based revenue. Coastal aquaculture, seeks to replant vegetation should pay Even if these “blue carbon sinks” can specifically, supports over 43 million close attention to local species ecology, help to slow global warming in the long jobs, and fish provide half of the dietary hydrologic factors, and proper site se- -term, climate change will continue in protein for people in island states. De- lection. If executed properly, a “REDD the short-term due to existing green- spite the environmental and economic and blue” program would be a win-win house gasses in the atmosphere. Fortu- magnitude, our coastal habitats remain for coastal ecosystems, both sinking nately, coastal ecosystems can help submerged underwater and out of sight, carbon and helping communities adapt vulnerable countries, such as small is- receiving minimal attention from policy to climate change. Indeed, action is land developing states (SIDS), adapt to makers compared to terrestrial ecosystems. needed now to slow the loss of vital coastal ecosystems. Page 6 Climate Institute | www.climate.org Volume 20, No. 3 Beyond Air Conditioning Claire FitzGerald The global average of first seven passes through another set of coils. The While radiant cooling may be the months of 2010 has been warmer than gas absorbs the heat, allowing the air most available alternative to air condi- any other year on record. To avoid the inside a building to cool. tioners today, other technologies in direct effects of the heat, the fortunate Conventional air conditioning is inef- development may soon push the people will stay inside and turn up the ficient because it ignores a basic princi- bounds of energy efficiency. In July Sec- air conditioning. Yet this attempt to be ple: thermal energy can be transported retary of Energy Steven Chu announced cool is unsustainable. Dependence on more efficiently with water than with $92 million in awards for energy re- air conditioning has increased energy air. Hydronic radiant cooling systems search projects. Of this, one-third was demand and carbon dioxide allotted to Building Energy emissions, furthering the Efficiency Through Innova- greenhouse gas effect and tive Thermodevices (BEET- global warming. Higher tem- IT). Funded projects in- peratures lead to greater air clude the Absorption- conditioning use, creating a Osmosis Cooling Cycle, a positive feedback loop. new air conditioning sys- Widespread air condition- tem that uses water as a ing is a relatively recent phe- refrigerant and salt as a nomenon. From 1978 to heat absorber, with reverse 2001, the number of Ameri- osmosis to separate water can households with conven- from the salt solution. tional air conditioning sys- Solid State Cooling, which tems rose from 23 to 55 per- uses a magnetic refrigera- cent.2Today air conditioners tion cooling system, is also consume 5 percent of overall being funded. Many pro- energy in the United States, a posed projects have the noteworthy portion of overall NightSky system on The Laboratory Complex in Stanford, CA. (carboun.com) potential to increase the building consumption, which energy efficiency of air accounts for 40% of all energy use and heed this principle. Water flows conditioning by up to 50 percent, as 40% of CO2 emissions. through tubes or pipes attached to the well as eliminate the use of refrigerants While air conditioning popularity has panels, slabs, walls, ceilings, or beams with high global warming potentials. skyrocketed, technological upgrades of a building’s surface. As these sur- The United States has been using the have significantly lagged behind. To- faces cool to a lower temperature than same conventional air conditioning day’s air conditioners are slightly more other surfaces in the room, heat flows technologies for over 50 years. For a efficient than those of previous genera- to them from warmer surfaces, includ- large-scale transition to alternative tions: Energy Star’s appliances adver- ing people, equipment, and lights. The cooling, education, incentives, and tise 14% less energy use compared to cooled surface absorbs the heat by the higher standards are needed. With in- conventional systems. While this is in- circulating water. formed building professionals and dis- deed an improvement, more efficient Radiant cooling systems function best tributed financial incentives and/or technologies are emerging with signifi- in buildings with lower cooling loads subsidies to cover upfront costs, and cant potential, including radiant cooling located in drier climates like the Ameri- performance-based compensation pro- and heating systems, which have gained can West and Southwest. Roof spray grams based on savings, architects and recent popularity in Europe, and ad- systems can be coupled to them to cre- engineers will be more likely to include vanced systems that utilize alternative ate even more efficient systems. In ideal alternative cooling in their designs. coolants. conditions, the amount of energy saved Higher building standards that reflect To understand the benefits of alterna- by a radiant cooling system compared government and public commitment to tive technologies, one must first under- to conventional (not Energy Star) air energy efficiency must also be imposed stand the basics of an air conditioner. conditioning can be as high as 42 per- to lay a foundation for change. An air conditioner works by compress- cent. In humid regions radiant cooling Without a transformation of habits ing a refrigerant, causing it to heat into systems are supplemented by air- and technology, warmer temperatures a high-pressure gas. The gas runs conditioning systems to dry the air and will lead to increased air conditioning through coil, dissipating its heat as it avoid condensation. Still, radiant cool- use and burden wallets, utilities, and condenses into a liquid. The liquid ing’s energy savings are 17 percent the environment. The sooner alterna- passes through an expansion valve and overall compared to conventional air tive technologies are implemented, the evaporates to a low-pressure gas, which conditioning systems. farther down the road the world will be towards a sustainable future. Page 7 Climate Institute | [email protected] Climate Alert When the Tipping Point Comes True: Adaptation Strategies for India Saheli Nath At the 16th Summit of the South Recognizing the Need for Adaptation Asian Association for Re- Nothing tests the mettle of govern- For a long time, India has been espe- gional Cooperation (SAARC) held in cially susceptible to the adverse effects Thimphu, Bhutan on 28-29 April 2010, ment in this part of of climate change. On 5th August 2007, India’s Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan the world than a the New York Times article ‘South Asia Singh announced the creation of a cli- fierce monsoon... Grapples with Results of Flooding’ ob- mate adaptation fund for South Asia. served: Indian political leaders have recog- “Nothing tests the mettle of govern- nized it as a necessary step to move 1) The rainfall over India and ment in this part of the world than a ‘Towards a Green and Happy South Southeast Asia has decreased by 5 to 7 fierce monsoon, as unusually heavy Asia’ - the theme for this year’s Sum- per cent since 1950 due to weakening rains across South Asia showed this mit. The SAARC member nations jointly of the ISM. This weakening implies week, leaving a trail of death and ruin adopted the Thimphu Statement on that the total amount of rainfall during and raising the risk of disease. Freak Climate Change, which among other the monsoon season has gradually de- rains, which scientists describe as a measures, promised to plant ten mil- clined over the past several decades, hallmark of climate change, seemed to lion trees over the next five years. It and there has been a reduction in the be responsible…In India… the death also commissioned a SAARC Inter- number of long rain spell events (days toll since the start of the monsoon in governmental Monsoon Initiative to of continuous rain). June stood at 1,225.” study evolving monsoonal trends, and 2) The weakening has been accom- This marked just the beginning. In a SAARC Inter-governmental Climate panied by erratic behavior of the ISM. 2008, flooding from monsoon rains Related Disasters Initiative on integrat- Despite decrease in aggregate rainfall, caused unprecedented damage by de- ing Climate Change Adaptation with extreme rain events and days of very stroying property and displacing over Disaster Risk Reduction. These actions heavy rainfall have significantly in- 2 million people. In summer 2009, indicate a renewed sense of urgency to creased in certain pockets of India and drought conditions hit 246 Indian dis- cope with the changing climate and the China, while days of moderate rainfall tricts, resulting in water conflicts and increasing frequency of extreme have become rarer. The dry spells or large-scale internal migrations. It is weather disturbances associated with ‘breaks in monsoon’ between extreme now estimated that four out of every an erratic monsoon in this region. rain events are now longer, which ad- ten people in India suffer from water versely affects farming activities scarcity. India is still predominantly How Climate Change Affects rural with 71 percent of its 1.1 billion Monsoon Patterns people engaged in primary activities. The Indian summer monsoon (ISM) is As only one-third of the arable land is often dubbed as a ‘mysterious phe- under irrigation, subsistence agricul- nomenon’ due to its complex and ir- ture is largely dependent on monsoon regular nature. The collaborative re- rains. Even a nominal change in the search work, Tipping Elements in the intensity of the monsoon can have a Earth’s Climate System, published by huge impact on the country’s economy the Proceedings of the National Acad- and lifestyle. Small, marginal and land- emy of Sciences has classified the trans- less farmers inhabiting river flood- formation of the ISM as one of the in- plains are most vulnerable to the termediate ‘Tipping Points’ of our cli- changing pattern of rainfall. Recently, researchers at the Univer- mate system, which can lead to radical India’s future undeniably holds more and irremediable changes in the global sity of Liverpool confirmed that climate change will significantly alter India's extreme weather. It is essential to in- environment. Scientists observed that crease the resilience of local communi- the monsoon rains in Central India annual monsoon season resulting in intense droughts and severe flooding ties by adapting to changing conditions from 1981 to 2000 were more severe in water availability and demand. The and frequent than the monsoons dur- in various regions. The heightened un- predictability of the ISM is a result of a Third Assessment Report of the Inter- ing 1950s and 1960s. In November governmental Panel on Climate Change 2008, these findings were summarized combination of factors including spe- cific land-use patterns, increasing tem- fittingly concluded: “adaptation can in a Regional Assessment Report by the reduce sensitivity to climate change, United Nations Environment Pro- perature, retreating Himalayan gla- ciers, warming of the Indian Ocean and and mitigation can decrease exposure.” gramme (UNEP) for Project Atmos- Thus, there is an imminent need to de- pheric Brown Clouds. It deduced that: rising sea levels. velop coping mechanisms to survive climatic variability and change.

Page 8 Climate Institute | [email protected] Volume 20, No. 3

Traditional Adaptation Strategies: Adaptation through Soft Adaptation through Empowerment: Community Action in Tonk District Engineering Defenses The Road Ahead In Human Security, Vulnerability and Hard flood control measures like Adaptation is not a pre-determined Sustainable Adaptation, authors Karen dams and levees have a distressing set of products; it is an ongoing and O’ Brien and Robin Leichenko high- history in India. Instead of preventing evolving process. India must move lighted the traditional adaptation prac- floods, ill-conceived structural meas- from a mere acceptance and under- tices used by vulnerable communities ures have actually aggravated flooding, standing of climate change to resilience in the drought-prone Dotana and as is evident from the Srisailam Dam and risk-management. Empowering Safipura villages of Tonk District, Ra- overflow in Andhra Pradesh (2009), citizens and encouraging them to take jasthan. Most of the farmers in these the Kosi embankment breach affecting the lead in influencing development communities are very poor, and rely on Bihar (2008) and the Ukai Dam disas- programs is a vital component of adap- subsistence agriculture and cattle rear- ter in Gujarat (2006) that claimed hun- tation. A good working example of this ing for livelihood. As a response to an dreds of lives, and cost millions of dol- is Coastal Area Disaster Mitigation Ef- acute water short- lars in infra- forts (CADME) which operates in 150 age, they decided structure and districts along the east coast of India, to grow drought- property dam- educating villagers on disaster prepar- resistant crops age. Therefore, edness and awareness about early like chick peas, soft flood control warning systems. cumin, mustard techniques like The World Development Report and vegetables. To mudflats, forest 2010, Development in a Changing Cli- raise their income, buffer zones or mate, stresses the importance of infor- these farmers are salt marshes are mation management through intra- now cultivating a highly recom- community communication channels higher value me- mended alterna- and advocates social policies aimed at dicinal crops for tive for India. gender inclusion. In Asian households, commercial sale. The soft path women traditionally play a central role This is very im- assumes that we in agricultural activities, in teaching portant because poverty and economic must learn to live with floods. Instead children and looking after family wel- insecurity impede people’s ability to of preventing floods, soft measures fare, and in influencing spending or deal with disasters. focus on reducing the speed, intensity, saving habits. The Oxfam International As established in a case study by impact and duration of the deluge. found that the carbon footprint of Chatterjee et al. (IDS Bulletin 36, Trial tests in Abergavenny, Scotland women is significantly smaller than 2005), the farmers have also resorted have shown that riparian woodlands men's, and that women lead many of to improved water conservation and are a sustainable method of flood alle- the pioneering responses to environ- harvesting techniques through bund- viation. Riparian plants, which include mental challenges. So engaging and ing of fields, constructing anicuts, and trees and shrubs along the banks of empowering women can be very bene- deepening wells and ponds. Contour water bodies like rivers, streams or ficial in policy planning, and can raise bunding refers to small raised earthen lakes, serve to slow down the momen- environmental performance. The embankments that act as barriers to tum of flood flows. Studies in the River voices of children and young adoles- water flow, retain water to build soil Devon Demonstration Site in Clack- cents are also imperative in a holistic moisture storage, and prevent erosion mannanshire have further reinforced approach to adaptation. Estimates by by reducing the velocity of running the benefits of natural flood control the International Food Policy Research water. Anicuts are water-harvesting through soft defenses. India can also Institute reveal that by the year 2050, structures made of dry stone, typically learn from Canada, which has one of twenty-five million Indian children suited for arid and semi-arid regions the best models of artificial flood diver- would be among the worst hit by the like Rajasthan. They are built across sion: the Red River Floodway around impact of climate change. India needs streams to store water and to sub- Winnipeg. Since its construction in to strengthen its Child Led Disaster merge upstream locations during spo- 1968, the floodway has been used Risk Reduction Program through more radic periods of rainfall. The villagers more than twenty-five times and has child-centered policies in order to use this accumulated water for domes- prevented over ten billion dollars minimize risk in local communities. tic consumption and for recharging worth of damages. These low-cost and The call for adaptation to changing cli- nearby wells. Such grassroots-level eco-friendly options will allow risk- mate and precipitation patterns is an initiatives are indispensable to improv- prone populations in India to better opportunity to achieve growth, to en- ing adaptive capacity of vulnerable manage frequent floods. sure human security and to promote communities. human development. India must make the best use of this chance.

Page 9 Climate Institute | www.climate.org Climate Alert

Micro Irrigation Eric Lowe

Of the many anthropogenic climate culture, water efficiency refers to the significantly addressed with the imple- change impacts, the advent of drought and “leaching fraction,” or how much water mentation of micro-irrigation. global water shortages due to changes in escapes below the plant’s root zone and Another benefit of drip irrigation systems weather, precipitation, evapotranspiration seeps out to surrounding areas. According is increased resistance to fungal disease, and other climatic patterns will prove to the University of Rhode Island, a drip since these systems do not water leaves most worrisome. Agriculture, itself highly irrigation system will see upwards of 90% themselves which are most vulnerable. Wa- dependent on water, will be hard hit if of its water reach the roots of plants ter-based diseases are less likely to be trans- water resources become scarcer. Globally, (remember that absorption rates are mitted because the water flow is constant, almost 70% of fresh water is consumed by higher too), whereas sprinkler-based sys- preventing disease in stagnant water of irri- irrigation for crop growing. Some coun- tems only see 65% contact the roots. Not gation lines. Oversaturation promotes tries, such as Egypt (nearly 100%), Paki- only does more water reach the root zone weed growth, so drip-irrigation systems stan (85%) and other arid-land nations of crops irrigated with drip-based meth- help to alleviate this problem as well. must irrigate almost all of their crop-land, ods, where it is absorbed by the plant, but Greater water exposure to root system, making their agricultural industries highly less water escapes below the root zone to combined with higher levels of oxygen dependent on nearby water source access. be leached into surrounding water tables content in soil (due to less overwatering) As climate change is expected to divert or and ecosystems. and less oversaturation of the root zone eliminate many water sources, agriculture Therefore, even a two-fold decrease (a can dramatically improve crop yields. itself will become much more difficult for conservative estimate) in water usage will More efficient use of water and fertilizer many vulnerable countries. preserve tens of millions of gallons of makes the production of these improved Reduced access to fresh water due to drinkable water every year in the U.S. alone. crop yields less capital intensive, thereby climate change will pose a significant A secondary benefit to micro-irrigation multiplying the cost-effectiveness of drip threat to food security and population is a decreased use of pesticides, fungicides irrigation. Especially because less physical centers in many areas of the world. Cost- and fertilizers during irrigation, or so- labor is needed to operate a drip irrigation effective adaptation measures exist that called “fertigation.” Micro-irrigation is system. will allow for survival in a world with a more efficient: the continuous flow of wa- There are, however, potential complica- changed climate and limited freshwater ter (containing fertilizer) allows the plant tions. Specifically, drip-irrigation systems access. better absorption, and the constantly ex- used in developing countries lack many of One such measure is the implementa- posed root zone requires less fertilizer. the technological capacities of their more tion of drip- or micro-irrigation tech- According to the USDA, less than 0.1 per- expensive counterparts, such as back-flow niques in farming practices. Drip irrigation cent of the system flow rate need contain restrictors or filters. Without advanced is a highly efficient method of watering agrochemical products to maintain cur- filtration systems, micro-sediment, algae crops, one which applies a constant, slow, rent absorption levels. In 2020, the global and mineral precipitates accumulate over and localized flow of water to the root demand for fertilizers is expected to ex- time, clogging emitters along the drip line. zones of plants, rather than sprinkling ceed 220 million metric tons, a dramatic The system needs to be flushed with suffi- water above the leaves of plants. An exam- growth in consumption over the roughly cient water pressure so as to wash out any ple of this might be found in a home gar- 141 million metric tons used annually sediment buildup. If the water pump fails, den where a hose with small holes, coiled from 1960-2000. Fertilizers and other lack of a back-flow restrictor may cause around the base of plants, slowly seeps agrochemicals have adverse environ- water to flow back into the system, flood- water into the soil around the root zone. mental and social consequences, as the ing it. Moreover, frost or freezing cold tem- Improved water delivery efficiency is the majority of these chemicals are not ab- peratures can disrupt the system, requir- primary motivator for the implementation sorbed by crops but instead seep into wa- ing additional equipment and labor to fix. of micro-irrigation techniques, meaning ter tables and local ecosystems. According Despite potential challenges, drip- more plant growth for less water. Since to U.S. data, there has been a 33 fold in- irrigation is highly cost-effective, and capi- soil is less likely to be oversaturated and crease, domestically, in the use of agro- tal requirements for installing a new sys- water is directed at the root system, ab- chemicals since 1945, while the toxicity of tem are, while high compared to tradi- sorption levels are higher. According to a many of these chemicals has increased tional irrigation techniques, still quite study conducted by the Florida State Hor- upwards of 10 fold in the same time pe- modest (estimated below $300 per stan- ticultural Society, the efficiency of over- riod. 18% of all pesticides and nearly 90% dard garden). Benefits for water consump- head sprinkler water delivery systems (by of all fungicides are categorized as car- tion, agrochemical usage levels and resul- far the most common) was only 8-9%, cinogenic. It is estimated that the pollution tant crop yields are undeniable. In sum, while the efficiency of a drip- or micro- from agrochemical runoff causes $100 micro-irrigation offers a small-scale, effi- irrigation system was between 51-57%, billion in public health and environmental cient adaptation measure to limited fresh- meaning more water is absorbed. In horti- damage every year. These costs could be water availability.

Page 10 Climate Institute | [email protected] Volume 20, No. 3 Climate Institute News

Tickell Network Expanding Rapidly in Mexico A year and a half after Climate Institute’s the first greenhouse monitoring measurements atop Sierra Negra, 4550 meters above sea level, in Mexico, the Interactive Climate Awareness Network is rapidly growing across the country. On July 22 Mo- relos Governor Marco Antonio Adame Castillo and Federal Environment Secretary Juan Rafael Elvira Quezada inaugurated the Tickell Network Interactive Climate Outreach Centre Parque Ecologico San Miguel Acapantzingo in Cuernavaca. This cli- mate theatre joins two others—one in Flor del Bosque Park in the State of Puebla and a second at Mexico City Museum of Natural History and the Environment. Work is underway in the City of Veracruz on a fourth climate theatre. On the August 4th Global Forum he hosted in Toluca, capital of the State of Mexico, at which Al Gore, Mario Molina, Margie Simon de Ortiz and Luis Manuel Guerra spoke, Governor Enrique Pena Nieto announced that his state has asked the Climate Institute to build four climate theatres within his state. Plans are underway to extend the Tickell Network to a number of other states –to both Acapulco and Chilpancingo in the State of Guerrero, Chetumal and Cancun in the State of Quintana Roo, Morelia in the State of Michoacan, Oaxaca in the State of Oaxaca, and Tijuana in the State of Baja California Norte. Luis Roberto Acosta, Director of the Climate Institute’s Mexico and Latin America Program and its entire Global Climate Observation Program, has spear- headed the remarkably rapid growth of the Sir Crispin Tickell Climate Awareness and Response Network. Barbara Hernan- dez, President of Fundacion Pedro y Elena Hernandez, and an active member of the Climate Institute Board, has played a vital role in the growth of this network linking the world’s highest climate observatory and a series of Climate Outreach Centers, a climate education equivalent of an astronomy planetarium.

Daniel Wildcat book shows how climate savvy of indigenous peoples can guide smart adaptation strategies Professor Daniel Wildcat, Dean at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas and Convener of the American Indian Alaska Native Climate Change Working Group, in his book Red Alert: Saving the Planet with Indigenous Knowledge: Fulcrum 2010, shows that Native Americans and other indigenous peoples have a wealth of experience in coping with climate and environ- mental stress. Prof. Wildcat, a Board member of the Climate Institute, describes how this know how can be vital to humanity in designing anticipatory adaptation strategies. The Working Group that he has sparked has inspired a number of tribal college students to meld indigenous knowledge of cop- ing strategies with mastery of geographic information systems and other tools. Prof. Wildcat also shows how adaptations to the cold have profoundly shaped indigenous cultures in the Arctic, including even language.

Former Climate Institute intern assumes post- John-Michael Cross named Director of doctoral research position at University of Illinois Research at the Climate Institute Michael Ring, who served as an intern at the Institute a A graduate of Johns Hopkins decade ago just before completing his senior year at Mas- University with a Masters Degree sachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earned his Ph. D from the Climate and Society pro- in atmospheric sciences in 2008 at MIT and then joined the gram at Columbia University, Mr. University of Illinois where he is working closely with in- Cross has worked for the past 18 ternationally renowned research scientist, Michael months at the Climate Institute fo- Schlesinger. Institute President John Topping remarked cused largely on the Global Sustain- “Mike Ring is a true polymath. During his internship with able Energy Islands Initiative and us in the summer of 2000 he not only created the climate the Black Carbon Reduction Pro- science and extreme weather sections of climate.org but gram. With his new responsibilities showed himself an expert on political trivia and sports. he is slated to assume the lead in Perhaps this shouldn’t have been surprising as he was Edi- the Institute’s efforts to highlight tor of the school paper, The Tech, at MIT. Only recently, win-win opportunities in reduction of emissions of black however, in scanning his page on the University of Illinois carbon and short-lived greenhouse gases. This includes an site did I discover that he is a Life Master in bridge.” analysis of opportunities within wealthier nations to re- duce diesel related emissions of black carbon.

Page 11 Climate Institute | www.climate.org

CLIMATE INSTITUTE

ounded in 1986, the Climate Institute was the first non-profit organization 900 17th Street NW F established primarily to address climate change issues. Working with an extensive Suite 700 Washington DC 20006 network of experts, the Institute has served as a bridge between the scientific Phone : (202) 552-4723 community and policy-makers and has become a respected facilitator of dialogue to Fax : (202) 737-6410 move the world toward more effective cooperation on climate change responses. Email : [email protected] http://www.climate.org

The Climate Institute’s mission is to …

CATALYZE innovative and practical policy solutions toward climate stabilization and educate the general public of the gravity of climate change impacts. ENHANCE the resilience of humanity and natural systems to respond to global climate change impacts especially among vulnerable groups (e.g. Native American tribes and Small Islands). WORK internationally as a bridge between policy-makers, scientists and environmental institutions.

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Climate Alert Published periodically by the Climate Institute © 2010 ISSN 1071 –3271

Mark Goldberg, Chairman

John C. Topping, President

Front cover image: Spout after water droplet, JJ Harrison, CC-BY-SA 3.0 Editor’s note: For all citations and references, see the electronic version of this newsletter at www.climate.org