Impact of Climate Change on Arab Countries - (IPCC) - Working ...

ARAB ENVIRONMENT: CLIMATE CHANGE 71
refers to changes in processes, practices, or structures
to moderate or <strong>of</strong>fset potential damages or
to take advantage <strong>of</strong> opportunities associated
with changes in climate. It involves adjustments
to reduce the vulnerability <strong>of</strong> communities,
regions, or activities to climatic change and variability
(IPCC, 2001a).
The high vulnerability <strong>of</strong> the agricultural sector
in developing countries should place it at the top
<strong>of</strong> priority lists <strong>of</strong> adaptation plans. Although climate
change is projected to have serious impacts
on the agricultural sector in the Arab world, only
modest efforts and steps are currently being taken
in the areas <strong>of</strong> scientific research, mitigation and
adaptation.
Agriculture has historically shown high levels <strong>of</strong>
adaptability to climate variations. For cropping
systems there are many potential ways to alter
management to deal with projected climatic and
atmospheric changes (Challinor et al., 2007).
These adaptations include:
a) Altering inputs such as varieties, species, fertilizer,
and amounts and timing <strong>of</strong> irrigation
and other water management practices;
b) Wider use <strong>of</strong> simple technologies;
c) Water management to prevent waterlogging,
erosion and nutrient leaching in areas with
rainfall increases;
d) Altering the timing or location <strong>of</strong> cropping
activities;
e) Diversifying income by integrating other
farming activities such as livestock raising;
f) Improving the effectiveness <strong>of</strong> pest, disease
and weed management practices; and
g) Using seasonal climate forecasting to reduce
production risk.
Many options for policy-based adaptation to climate
change have been identified for agriculture,
forests and fisheries (Easterling et al., 2004).
These can either involve adaptation activities
such as developing infrastructure or building the
capacity to adapt in the broader user community
and institutions, <strong>of</strong>ten by changing the decision
making environment under which managementlevel,
adaptation activities occur. Designing and
applying national adaptation strategies for the
agriculture sector faces a group <strong>of</strong> barriers,
including limitations <strong>of</strong> the existing scientific
base, policy perceptions under current conditions
and pressures, poor adaptive capacity <strong>of</strong> rural
communities, lack <strong>of</strong> financial support, and the
absence <strong>of</strong> an appropriate institutional framework.
Medany et al. (2007) conclude that designing an
adaptation strategy for the agriculture sector
should consider the simple and low cost adaptation
measures that may be inspired from traditional
knowledge to meet local conditions and to
be compatible with sustainable development
requirements. It is not preferable to use imported
solutions based on high levels <strong>of</strong> technology and
high initial costs. Moreover, technology and
knowledge transfer activities are encouraged to
support adaptation strategies. Addressing climate
change mitigation and adaptation in development
strategies means strengthening these strategies
and increasing their efficiency and durability.
Medany et al. (2007) recommend the following
to enhance the planning <strong>of</strong> mitigation and adaptation
strategies for the agricultural sector under
Egyptian conditions:
• Improving the scientific capacity should be
among the top priorities <strong>of</strong> development planning.
• Political and financial adoption <strong>of</strong> adaptation
strategies.
• The bottom-up approach <strong>of</strong> planning and
implementing adaptation and mitigation
strategies could be more efficient.
• Developing community-based measures by
stakeholders’ involvement in adaptation planning,
and improving the adaptive capacity <strong>of</strong>
the different human sectors.
• Increasing the public awareness and improving
the concept <strong>of</strong> climate and its relation to environmental
and human systems.
• Improving adaptive capacity <strong>of</strong> the community
should be based on a clear scientific message,
and enjoy strong governmental support.
Attaher et al. (2009) studied the farmers’ perception
for adaptation planning in Nile Delta
region, and concluded that farmers have a real
initiative to act positively to reduce the impact <strong>of</strong>
climate change. Moreover, although community
engagement in adaptation planning is very
important, the scientific evaluation should be
taken into account to set a more practical list <strong>of</strong>
adaptation measures.