Changing Glaciers and Hydrology in Asia - Environmental Health at ...

SECTION 5APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING CLIMATE-CHANGE IMPACTS ONGLACIERS AND HYDROLOGYThe three previous sections elaborate on the state of the science related to glacier melt, thepotential vulnerabilities to associated impacts, and the survey of organizations already engaged inactivities intended to address glacier-related hydrological changes and impacts. This sectiondraws on these streams of information to generate cross-sectoral program concepts andapproaches that are designed to produce co-benefits across sectors.These program concepts and approaches were developed by a team of cross-sectoral specialistswith the following criteria in mind:Address priority issues related to glacier melt and retreat in a cross-sectoral waydesigned to yield co-benefits in multiple sectorsComplement or fill gaps, considering activities already underwayCorrespond with USAID’s interests and mandateThe program concepts and approaches are intended to be used as a “menu” of possibleprograms to choose from rather than as a cookbook of recipes that must be followed. DifferentMissions, taking account of current conditions in their countries as well as potential partnersand synergies with ongoing programs, can choose or adapt any of these or develop otherprograms. Programs that address cross-sectoral issues related both to glacier melt impacts andgeneral development, such as water management and health, have the advantage of naturalconnections with many of USAID’s programs and initiatives. As such, they yield the kind of “noregrets” co-benefits that increase the well-being of societies both in the short term and the longterm.As climate change is a long-term issue, extending program timelines beyond 3-5 years andexplicitly coordinating projects across sectoral and geographic boundaries should be considered.One option would be to link projects that could be completed in sequence, in order to allowfor periodic evaluation and course correction, institutionalization of best practices, and scale-up.Another option is to coordinate programs with other Missions and/or sectors, exploringmechanisms to share resources and management.Section 2 concluded that, overall, with regard to glacier melt, scientists lack knowledge aboutthe rate of melt and impacts of the phenomenon. This knowledge would help societies plan forthe changes and adapt to them. Many questions remain about what those changes will be,especially with regard to downstream areas (see table on the following page). This lack ofknowledge, also confirmed by the survey of organizations discussed in Section 4, constitutes alarge vulnerability.Therefore, the first program concept in this section addresses the need for collaborative andintegrated scientific efforts to increase scientific knowledge and to engage in monitoring changesin glaciers. The program approaches associated with improving scientific knowledge and data49